Best of 2014

Subsea World News brings you the most popular articles from the previous year (January 01 – December 31).

The Best of 2014 represents the readers’ choice, based on the monthly statistics and general interest in the articles.

January: Stork Sells Its Subsea Division to N-Sea Group

Stork Technical Services, the global provider of knowledge based asset integrity services to the oil & gas, power and chemical industries, announced it has reached an agreement to sell its Subsea division to N-Sea Group.

Stork is divesting its Subsea division following a strategic review of its core business offering and increasing clients’ expectations. The divestment of Subsea will enable Stork to focus on providing key services and innovations which support its significant business operations as an asset lifecycle integrity partner in the oil & gas industry.

February: Gorringe Seamounts to Become New Marine Protected Area

At 5000 m high, the Gorringe seamounts, located in the Atlantic, 300 km off the Portuguese shore, are on their way to becoming a new Marine Protected Area, following their nomination by the Portuguese government.

Oceana, which has documented this area on several occasions, is thrilled with this announcement. Since 2005, Oceana has worked to include this bank, one of the most spectacular seamount ranges in the world, into the Atlantic protected space network.

March: CNRI Hires Harkand Da Vinci Vessel in North Sea

Fast-Growing international subsea inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) group Harkand is to position a second dive support vessel in the burgeoning North Sea sector after securing a major contract with CNR International (CNRI).

The contract will see Harkand deliver jacket life extension works, IRM scopes and inspection services in the second quarter of 2014 for CNRI’s Ninian South platform and Lyell field, located approximately 150km north-east of the Shetland Islands.

April: McDermott to Operate North Sea Spoolbase

McDermott International, Inc.’s subsidiary has signed an option agreement with PD Ports which gives it the exclusive right to operate a spoolbase to serve projects in the North Sea. McDermott expects to have the facility available for projects in early 2015.

Located in Hartlepool, in northeast United Kingdom, the spoolbase is expected to support McDermott’s re-entry into the North Sea Reel-Lay market.

May: Canyon to Equip McDermott’s Subsea Vessel Fleet with ROV Systems

Helix Energy Solutions’ Robotics subsidiary, Canyon Offshore, has reached an agreement with a subsidiary of McDermott International, to provide remotely operated vehicle (ROV) services and equipment for McDermott’s fleet of subsea construction and pipelay support vessels.

The agreement is for a fixed term of three years with options to extend. Canyon will provide dual 3,000-meter ROV systems onboard McDermott vessels, which initially is expected to include the North Ocean 102, Lay Vessel North Ocean 105, Lay Vessel 108 and the Derrick Lay Vessel 2000.

June: Total Breaks Off $250 Mln Contract for Skandi Aker

Aker Solutions’ subsidiary Aker Oilfield Services was notified by Total in Angola of the termination of a USD 250 million, two-year contract for the Skandi Aker vessel.

Skandi Aker started operations as a well-intervention vessel for the first time in September last year when the contract with Total commenced. The value of the remaining contract period is about USD 150 million and will be removed from the order backlog.

July: Cable Barge Sinks Off Sardinia, Italy

Prysmian informed that on July 3rd during transfer voyage from Arco Felice (Naples/Italy) to Bremenhaven (Germany) the barge AMT Explorer chartered for the transportation of power cables for Deutsche Bucht and Butendiek offshore wind farms in Germany, capsized when pulled by a tug boat.

The event took place in international water in a position which is some 50 nautical miles southwesterly of Sardinia. Prysmian reported that all crew are safe and sound.

August: ‘Princess Marseilles’ Crashes into German Cruise Ship (Norway)

The 76 meter long seismic survey vessel Princess Marseilles collided with the 260 meter long German Century class cruise ship Mein Schiff 1.

According to the report, Princess Marseilles experienced some technical difficulty while mooring and backed into German passenger ship. The stern of the Princess Marseilles struck into the bow of the Mein Schiff 1.

The incident occurred in August in Bergen, Norway. No injuries or serious damage have been reported.

September: Subsea 7 Reduces Norwegian Workforce

Oil services company Subsea 7 is reportedly reducing its Norwegian workforce between 100 and 150 employees due to project delays.

Stating that the situation is serious and it will affect between 100 and 150 employees, the Subsea 7 spokesman explained the causes of downsizing: “In recent months, we have seen further delays to the project that is being planned. This is a continuation of a trend we have seen in the Norwegian market.”

October: MH370 Might Not Be in Indian Ocean, Emirates Airlines Head Says

The boss of a major airline believes missing flight MH370 may not have crashed in the Indian Ocean, and that probably control was taken of that airplane.

In an Interview with German magazine Der Spiegel, Emirates Airlines head Tim Clark has stated he is “totally dissatisfied” with results of the investigation so far and that the mystery of vanishing airplane raises a “degree of suspicion”.

November: ‘Pieter Schelte’ to Be Completed in Port of Rotterdam

‘Pieter Schelte’, the biggest vessel in the world, is to be completed in the port of Rotterdam. Owner and designer Allseas and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have signed an agreement to this effect. The plan is for ‘Pieter Schelte’ to arrive in Rotterdam at the end of 2014.

Final assembly of ‘Pieter Schelte’ will take place in the Alexiahaven. The inner lake of Maasvlakte 2 currently provides the necessary space. A special pit will be dredged there for the vessel. In the port of Rotterdam, the 65 metre long beams of the topsides lift system will be installed. The lifting beams are being constructed in Italy and will be transported by ship to the Netherlands.

December: Saipem Breaks Off South Stream Ops

Following the latest events regarding the South Stream project, Saipem has received a “Notification of suspension of Marine Spread activities”.

South Stream Transport BV contracted Saipem to perform the offshore laying of the first line and construct the landfalls and shallow-water parts for all four pipelines, as well as complementary works on line 2. The suspension notification, the company received from its client, puts a stop on all the current Saipem vessels involved in the pipe laying activities.