Fugro’s newly-named vessel Kobi Ruegg has joined the company’s fleet and is set to begin its first project on the Eni-operated Zohr field in the Egyptian sector of the Mediterranean Sea.
Working on behalf of Saipem, Fugro will deploy its large diameter piston core system to collect soil samples in the Zohr gas field; geophysical surveys for Pico and Shell will follow, Fugro informed on Monday.
The three-year-old vessel has been renamed Kobi Ruegg in honor of a former member of the Board of Management at Fugro. It replaces the Fugro Navigator which has been permanently retired as part of Fugro’s ongoing vessel rationalization process.
Permanently mobilized with a full range of geophysical survey and geotechnical sampling equipment, as well as a Seaeye Panther remotely operated vehicle, the purpose-built, 58-meter, multi-role survey vessel is based in Alexandria, Egypt. From its new home port of Abu Qir, the vessel will deliver Fugro’s marine site characterization services to clients in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea.
Fugro added that Köbi (Jakob) Rüegg passed away in March 2017 after a brief period of retirement. Rüegg worked for Fugro for almost 20 years and from 2009 until he retired in 2013 was a member of the Board of Management with responsibility for the Offshore Survey Division.
At the formal naming ceremony held in Egypt in September, Mike Dravitzki, Fugro’s Regional Director, highlighted how the new vessel sent a strong signal of Fugro’s commitment not only to Egypt, but also to the wider Middle East region. “We are honored to name this vessel in Köbi’s memory,” he continued.
“He visited Egypt regularly during his long career and inspired all of us to work hard, in a professional and safe manner, to deliver high quality results to our clients.”