Helix vessel getting ready for Brazilian decom job with Shell at Namibia’s port

December 18, 2024, by Melisa Cavcic

U.S.-headquartered offshore energy services provider Helix Energy Solutions has confirmed the arrival of its purpose-built DP3 semi-submersible vessel to Namibia’s Port of Walvis Bay to prepare for its decommissioning assignment off the coast of Brazil.

The U.S. player won a 12-month deepwater well decommissioning contract with extension options for work in Brazil’s Campos Basin in October 2022, enabling the semi-submersible to provide plug and abandonment services to Shell on subsea wells at the Bijupira and Salema fields.

Helix Energy Solutions’ Helix Q7000 semi-submersible vessel is now in Walvis Bay, a port town on the coast of Namibia, where it decided to make a stop during its journey from Australia to Brazil, which is the vessel’s final destination.

Moreover, the semi-sub will remain in Namibia for about ten days to complete preparations for operations in Brazil, including removing marine growth from the pontoons, before it goes to South America to start its next decommissioning campaign in Brazilian waters.

While confirming the rig’s arrival, the Namibian Ports Authority – Namport highlighted: “The oil rig Q7000 arrived at the Port of Walvis Bay on December 16, 2024, and is currently docked at Berth 8. This visit marks a key stop for the rig as it undergoes hull cleaning operations. After its journey from Australia, the Q7000 is now en route to Brazil, where it is set to participate in a significant drilling campaign.”

The vessel is expected to remain under a decommissioning contract with Shell in Brazil into 2026, with options at improved rates. The 2019-built Q7000 semi-submersible vessel, designed to perform in harsh environments, is said to enable riser-based subsea well intervention and decommissioning operations.

The unit is capable of a wide range of production enhancement operations, well-cleanup, and field development support. The vessel, which can accommodate 140 people, comes with a variable deck load capacity of about 3,000 metric tons besides well intervention and service fluids.

While a 600-metric-ton well intervention tower with active and passive heave compensation is on the upper deck, the large flush deck features a skidding system for well intervention support equipment and tubular storage. The unit has below-deck twin work-class ROV systems, bulk fluid storage, and pumping systems.

The U.S. company landed a new multi-year contract with Shell a few months ago to continue providing well intervention services in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In addition, Helix Robotics Solutions, the robotics division of Helix Energy Solutions, recently secured a new job.