PHOTO: SCV Khankendi performs first installation in Caspian Sea for BP

The Khankendi subsea construction vessel has completed its first project installation activity offshore Azerbaijan. 

The vessel was specifically designed and built by Azerbaijan’s Baku Shipyard to install the biggest subsea production system in the Caspian Sea as part of the BP-operated Shah Deniz Stage 2 project.

According to information on BP’s social media channels on Monday, the Khankendi vessel has completed its first job.

The vessel completed its sea trials in August this year. The official inauguration of the new $378 million vessel took place in Baku in early September. It was then deployed to the Shah Deniz field where it is expected to perform subsea installation and construction work over the next eleven years.

The vessel is 155 meters in length and 32 meters in width with 2000 square meters of deck space. It has a total weight of 17,600 tonnes, a carrying capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes at 6.5 meters draft and two engine rooms with 6 x 4.4MW and 2 x 3.2MW generators.

It is equipped with dynamic positioning to allow working in 3.5 meter significant wave height, a 900 tonne main crane capable of placing 750 tonne subsea structures down to 600 meters below sea level, an 18-man two-bell diving system, two work-class ROVs and a strengthened moon pool. The Khankendi can carry out complex activities without the need for anchors. The vessel has a maximum capacity of 175 people on board, including the marine crew and discipline specialists.

Offshore Energy Today Staff