Technip-DOF Subsea PLSV Kicks Off for Petrobras

Technip and DOF Subsea joint venture, TechDof Brasil AS, has taken final delivery of the pipe-lay support vessel Skandi Açu.

The vessel has started its 8-year charter contract with Petrobras. It is the first of 4 PLSVs fixed on long-term charters with Petrobras which were awarded to the joint venture between DOF Subsea and Technip in August 2013.

The vessel is designed to achieve a 650-ton laying tension capacity, thus enabling the installation of large diameter flexible pipes in ultra-deepwater environments, such as the Brazilian pre-salt.

The vessel has been built by VARD in Romania and Norway, and the main pipelaying equipment by Huisman in Czech Republic and in the Netherlands. Skandi Açu has gone through complete sea-trials and acceptance tests by Petrobras. The long-term financing of Skandi Açu is arranged by Société Générale, GIEK and Eksportkreditt.

DOF Subsea CEO, Mons S. Aase, said: “The extensive newbuild program of 4 PLSVs together with Technip has combined the subsea and vessel expertise across our organizations. Taking final delivery of Skandi Açu and commencing the contract with Petrobras is an important milestone in our partnership with Technip, and the joint venture now has 3 vessels in operations. I look forward to seeing the vessel in operation in the years to come.”

Hallvard Hasselknippe, president Subsea for Technip, commented: “This new state-of-the-art PLSV, with the most advanced pipelay equipment and highest flexible pipelay tension capacity in the world, demonstrates again our extensive ultra-deepwater pipelaying experience, and our commitment to enable projects offshore for our clients.”

Photo: Huisman