WJM to develop new multi-purpose support vessel

William Jacob Management (WJM), an engineering and project management services firm, has secured its initial contract to complete the detailed engineering and design of its first Mobile Offshore Support Services Vessel, the MOSS V.

Northport Marine LLC will be the first client to receive delivery of the new concept vessel, scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2018.

The MOSS V is a heavy-duty jack-up drilling rig, converted to a self-propelled vessel. Potential applications include rigless plug and abandonment (P&A), construction support, floatel, storm damage repair, decommissioning, wireline, workover, support of a skid off rig and maintenance. WJM will provide the engineering design and construction management for the conversion and refit of a candidate vessel, several of which have been identified.

According to WJM, by removing pre-existing drilling equipment from the top deck during the conversion, a 10,000-square-foot open deck serves to create a utility vessel that allows for the accommodation of a number of different services. The equipment below deck (pumps and tanks) is left in place, for potential use in P&A applications.

WJM noted that the MOSS V adds a new heavy-duty 500-ton crane, which extends the vessel’s capability to handle platform maintenance, coiled tubing offloading, the decommissioning of platforms and the rigless P&A of wells. The MOSS V hosts an 85-person living quarters, which means it can also jack up next to a platform and be used as a flotel.

The MOSS V is designed for 350 to 400-foot water depth capability, and can endure substantial adverse weather conditions due to its size and weight, WJM said.

A 2,000-square-foot enclosed machine and welding shop is also located on the deck of the MOSS V. This means that workers can perform construction tasks for repairs in an environment shielded from the elements whilst offshore on the vessel. The MOSS V will also feature a helideck.

Michael Duffy, president, William Jacob Management, said, “In the current industry climate, an increasing number of plug and abandonment and decommissioning projects are coming online in the GOM, and the MOSS V is currently the only vessel sufficiently equipped to fully serve this target region.

Duffy added: “The MOSS V is a self-propelled vessel, with all the advantages of a heavy, robust standard jack-up drilling rig, but with the added design benefits of self-propulsion, 10,000-square-foot deck space and ability to undertake a wider variety of work in deeper water.”