First vessel of gemstone fleet launched

On 27 September 2013 the partnership between IHC Merwede and Sapura Navegaçao Maritima, a joint venture between SapuraKencana and Seadrill, was solidified clinched by the launch and name giving of the first of a series of five fully integrated IHC Merwede offshore vessels. Cristina Lucia Duarte Pinho, executive manager Petrobas E&P Service, gave the Sapura Diamante her name in Krimpen aan den IJssel, the Netherlands.

According to Arjan Klijnsoon, managing director of IHC Merwede’s offshore division, there are many more gemstones in Brazil to name a lot more vessels after, referring to his wish to continue the collaboration. The name of the next pipelaying support vessel in line, the Sapura Topazio shows this wish will be granted. Klijnsoon thanked his personnel for their commitment, ”which is causing this machine to run like a clock work. This way the Sapura Diamante was transformed from a lifeless thing to a living creature in a limited amount of time.” Mark Allpress, project manager of SapuraKencana, said about the collaboration: ”IHC Merwede has shown that it can bring together all of the expertise and equipment from its internal companies in the Netherlands and UK, as well as the many local subcontractors, to build high-quality vessels in accordance with the contract schedule.”

Joint venture

Sapura Navegação Maritima has ordered the five vessels at IHC Merwede and one in Brazil, to fulfill a $ 1.4 billion and a $ 2.7 billon contract with Petrobas. The 145.9 metre long and 29.9 metre broad Sapura Diamante will therefore, after she is delivered, be used for the development of deep-sea oilfields of up to 2,500 metres in Brazilian waters, but will also be able to operate worldwide. Pinho: ”We expect that the deep-sea oilfield will generate four million barrels per day.” Sapura Navegação Maritima is a Brazilian joint venture that consists of Seadrill, an offshore deep-water drilling company from the United Kingdom, and SapuraKencana, an oil and gas services and solutions provider from Malaysia, that have joined forces.

The 550 t Sapura Diamante can accommodate up to 120 people and will, among other things, be equipped with a pipelaying spread that was designed by IHC Engineering Business. She is the first vessel that is completely designed, engineered and built by IHC Merwede together with IHC Engineering Business. The spread exists of two below-deck storage carousels, with capacities for 2,500 t and 1,500 t of product. In addition an adjustable vertical lay system has been installed for the placement of flexible pipelines with a diameter of 100 to a maximum of 630 millimetres. IHC Drives & Automotion delivered the integrated automation system, the full electrical installation and the complete electrical machinery package.

Anne Kregting