Castorone
Owner: Saipem
Vessel type: DP3 pipelay
Deck load capacity: up to 20,000 t
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Maximum pipelay depth: 3,000 m
Construction method capabilities: S-lay, J-lay
Features: The Castorone is equipped with a fully redundant class 3 DP reference system and has the onboard capability to fabricate triple-joint pipe strings. The pipe handling lift and conveyor systems within the vessel are designed to reduce to a minimum any human interface with the pipe during operations. The stinger system is a bespoke, fully-articulated design capable of producing high lay rates in both shallow and deepwater applications. The stinger is able to be configured from shallow to ultra-deep water without abandoning the pipe, which is a unique feature in the market.
Status: The Castorone is currently under construction in Singapore, with completion scheduled in September 2012. The vessel will then conduct deepwater pipelay trials before transiting to the Gulf of Mexico to complete a number of deepwater subsea pipeline projects. The Castorone will then return to Australia to lay the 889 km, 1,067 mm diameter Ichthys Gas Pipeline between Darwin Harbour and the Ichthys Gas Field – the longest subsea pipeline installation ever performed in Australia.
Seven Borealis
Owner: Subsea 7
Vessel type: Pipelay/heavy-lift
Deck load capacity: 2,800 t
Maximum pipelay depth: 3,000 m
Construction method capabilities: S-lay, J-lay, flexible lay (provision for future installation)
Features: Designed to meet the exacting requirements of today’s ultra-deep and deepwater projects, while maximising productivity and efficiency, the Seven Borealis can work in the world’s deepest and harshest environments. Its 5,000 t crane is the world’s largest offshore mast crane, which features a full-heave compensated deepwater lowering system that is an efficient mechanism for the installation of heavy loads required for deepwater subsea production systems. The Seven Borealis’ J-lay tower can install pipe from 102–1,168 mm in diameter, has double-joint and double-working stations, a friction clamp and travelling block system, as well as a 100 t pipeline end termination handling system. The vessel also includes a 600 t S-lay tower, a deck prepared for a 500 t flex-lay tower, and can accommodate up to 399 people.
Status: At the time of writing, the Seven Borealis was in the Netherlands for the installation of its final equipment: the J-lay and S-lay systems. In the second half of 2012, the Seven Borealis will travel to West Africa to commence work on its first project.
Leighton Stealth
Owner: Leighton Offshore
Vessel type: Pipelay
Deck load capacity: 15,000 t
Construction method capabilities: S-lay
Features: The Leighton Stealth has 2 x 50 t track tensioners and can lay pipe from 203–1,524 mm in diameter. It features a fully automatic electrohydraulic control system with manual override joystick control, a fully automatic welding system – with manual and semi-automatic welding also possible – and a fixed-type stinger. The barge can accommodate up to 232 people and includes a CAP437-compliant helideck suitable for S61 and S92 aircraft.
Projects: In October 2010, the Leighton Stealth installed a 23 km, 406 mm diameter shallow water pipeline for the Devil Creek Development Project offshore Western Australia.
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