‘Olympic Ares’ on its way to Texas

Bibby Offshore’s Houston-based division, Bibby Subsea, is getting ready to welcome the Olympic Ares, a multi-functional subsea construction support vessel (CSV) which is due to arrive in the port of Galveston, Texas, on December 16, 2014. 

The 115 metre Olympic Ares specifications include a 250 tonne heave compensated crane for subsea use to 3,000 meter water depth and 1300 square meter of clear back deck space.

Ahead of arrival in Galveston, the Olympic Ares was recently installed with two SMD Quantum MkIII 250hp 3,000 meter rated Work Class ROVs. Each of these Quantum Work Class ROV systems includes SMD’s Extended Tophat Tether Management System (TMS), telescopic A-Frame, umbilical winch, deck pack and fully integrated control cabin.

Andrew Duncan, President and Managing Director of Bibby Subsea, said: “Taking delivery of the Olympic Ares further expands our capacity for our oil and gas clients in the Gulf of Mexico, and allows us to continue to deliver comprehensive CSV support in this region.”

Focus on Gulf of Mexico but…

Duncan adds: “Welcoming the Olympic Ares follows recent investment in new operations facilities and key appointments into the business, with further asset based announcements to follow. The Olympic Ares will be primarily focused on the US Gulf of Mexico market but will also be available to support project commitments in Mexico, Trinidad and Canada as required and is a strategic step into the deepwater construction market. The vessel deployment further demonstrates Bibby Subsea’s commitment to offer clients in the region a cost effective and efficient alternative to other options currently available.”

Since its inception in August 2013, Bibby Subsea says, the company has experienced significant client demand for its service offering. A recruitment drive is planned to increase the number of Bibby Subsea staff in the region by more than 70, both onshore and offshore, throughout 2015.