DNV GL to classify two OOS decom market bound jack-up rigs

China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) and DNV GL have signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the classification of two multi-activity jack-up units at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston.

DNV GL said that the LOI for the two rigs, ordered by OOS Energy, was signed on Wednesday.

The two 96-meter-long rigs ordered by OOS Energy, an affiliate of Netherlands-based Overdulve Offshore Services (OOS) International, will be purpose-built for the decommissioning market. Construction is scheduled to start later this year.

Ernst Meyer, director of offshore classification at DNV GL – Maritime, said: “We are very pleased that OOS Energy and CMHI have chosen DNV GL as the classification partner for this project. This project with CMHI marks the continuation of a very fruitful relationship, and we look forward to undertaking many more projects with CMHI in the future.”

Yao Rulin, general manager of CMHI Jiangsu, added: “DNV GL has demonstrated an excellent level of service during the last project we worked on in our yard, a 400K Valemax II VLOC and mid/deepwater semi-submersible drilling unit. Through this project, our relationship will become even closer and stronger.”

The oil and gas classification society added that the rigs would be first OOS Energy units to be classified by DNV GL.

Cor Selen, CEO, co-owner, and founder of OOS Energy, said: “After review of the options available, OOS Energy elected DNV GL to be the class society for its new multi-activity units.

“The decision has been based on the strong presence of DNV GL in the market that OOS Energy is targeting with these unique units. We furthermore like the professionalism and level of quality assurance from the DNV GL experts.”

The rigs

The two identical four-legged, self-elevating multi-activity units (MAUs) will be used in decommissioning operations.

Bas Veerman, business development manager for Benelux at DNV GL – Maritime, said: “This means that the MAUs will be equipped for light drilling operations to close wells. In addition, they can deconstruct the top side of an oil rig’s structure, and remove the jacket structure which goes right down to the seafloor.”

Two cranes, one with a maximum hook height of 92 meters and one with a maximum hook height of 122 meters above deck and a combined lifting capacity of 2,400 tons, can work in tandem to dismantle decommissioned offshore structures, lifting parts onto the MAU’s deck, before transporting them back to shore.

The MAUs will be able to operate in 55 meters water depth in harsh conditions while the rigs will be able to work in 80 meters of water in benign circumstances.