Ampelmann to support Ithaca’s project in North Sea

Dutch offshore access provider Ampelmann has secured a contract with Olympic Shipping to support topside commissioning work on Ithaca Energy’s FPF-1 offshore semi-submersible in the North Sea.

As explained by Amplemann in a statement on Wednesday, the combination of the Ampelmann E-type system and the Olympic Taurus Walk to Work (W2W) vessel is a very suitable solution for continuing work under the current COVID-19 measures.

As the FPF-1 has only a limited number of beds, it was necessary to look for an alternative that can increase the number of people on board (POB) while taking social distancing into account.

This W2W combination offered that alternative, Ampelmann added.

Lorenz Nehring, Business Development Manager at Ampelmann’s Aberdeen office, commented: “Despite the economic and logistical challenges the industry is facing during these unprecedented times, both Olympic Shipping and Ampelmann continue to bring experience to the table”.

The E-type is also a good fit for the rough waters of the North Sea, as it is capable to transfer people in sea states up to 4.5m Hs.

This campaign will take place during the summer, starting mid-July, and will last at least 60 days with the possibility to extend.

Ithaca Energy’s FPF-1 floating production facility operates on the Greater Stella Area, which is located in the heart of the Central Graben area of the Central North Sea, on the UK Continental Shelf.