Ulstein Rolls Out Suezmax-Sized Drillship and Other New Concepts

Even amid a decimated offshore market, the prolific naval architects and marine engineers at Ulstein’s office in the Netherlands have been working on new concept designs that are currently being unveiled today at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.  Ulstein’s main focus in these vessels, it seems, is to enable greater functionality and autonomy for future deep water operators.

First up is the GWR-D1, a design that has been developed for Singapore-based Guard Offshore / Global Well Response.

This DP3, dual activity drillship has a built-in early production and emergency oil spill response capability with an astounding 730,000 barrels of oil storage capacity – or nearly that of a Suezmax-sized tanker.  This vessel would be particularly suited for use in remote areas where there might not be significant nearby oil response resources.  It also features a 1.5 million ton derrick and space aboard for two blow-out preventer systems.

Vessel Particulars:

• LOA: 283.5 m
• Beam: 49.5 m
• Depth (moulded): 27.0 m
• Draft (operational): 12.0 – 19.6 m
• Accommodation: 220 persons
• Dynamic Positioning: DP3
• Water Depth: 12,000 ft
• Drilling Depth: 40,000 ft
• Production: 30,000 bpd
• Oil Containments: 100,000 bbl
• Oil Storage capacity: 730,000 bbls

The HX-104 concept, pictured above, is Ulstein’s first X-Bow heavy lift vessel that doubles as an accommodations vessel. The ABS-classed vessel is 174 meters in length, has accommodations for 500, and features a Liebherr MTC 78000, 2,000 metric ton mast crane. Ulstein says this heavy lift vessel, and it’s smaller version below, have been developed with special focus on personnel/crew safety, logistics and comfort and a good operational profile combined with low CAPEX investment.

Ulstein has also unveiled today a new deep water well intervention vessel, the DX105, which was developed by Ulstein Sea of Solutions B.V. in cooperation with Herrenknecht Vertical GmbH – the maker of the Terra Invader 750 tower which this vessel features.

This 154.4 meter, 13,000 ton deadweight vessel is capable of operating in water depths of up to 2,500m (8,250 ft) and features a large, free work deck with direct access to the moon pool that Ulstein says allows the vessel to carry a large diversity of additional well equipment such as coiled tubing, cementing, well testing and wireline equipment as well as X-mas trees and other subsea equipment.

As the vessel is ship-shaped, rather than a semi-submersible like others in its class, Ulstein notes it has greater payload and mobilization speeds of up to 15 knots – both factors when working in remote regions.