Royal IHC to perform major modification on McDermott pipelay vessel
KINDERDIJK, The Netherlands -- Royal IHC has been awarded a contract to modify McDermott International Inc.’s pipelay and construction vessel AMAZON. It includes the delivery of an innovative and complete J-lay system to the Houston-based company. The contract was signed by McDermott’s Global V.P. of Marine Assets & Operations Alan Marriott and Royal IHC’s Executive Director Services Diederik van Rijn.
Turnkey solution
IHC will be responsible for the overall management of the modification project, from the design through to the integration of the new equipment. It includes the build and installation of the IHC-designed and patented J-lay system, and associated onboard multijoint factory, modifications to the ship’s structures, and the removal and replacement of the equipment and commissioning.
Fully integrated J-lay tower
The physical modifications comprise the removal of the existing pipelay system and its replacement with a new J-lay system with a top dynamic capacity of 1,500 tonnes. The J-lay system will be able to handle every variety of pipe including normal flowlines, export lines, and various pipe-in-pipe configurations, ranging in size from 4.5 to 24 in. with wall thicknesses approaching 2 inches.
“The extensive use of existing proven technology and process automation, combined with early collaboration with the system designers, means we expect to have a very efficient and cost effective asset,” says Alan Marriott. “The AMAZON will provide a key enabling asset within the McDermott fleet and will allow us to compete on a global basis for the major deepwater/ultra-deepwater projects. The vessel is designed to be self-sufficient, allowing easy transition from project to project. The vessel is expected to provide pull through opportunities for the rest of the McDermott subsea fleet.” Delivery in 2020 The AMAZON will be transferred to IHC in The Netherlands for its physical conversion in August 2019, with the delivery of the upgraded J-lay vessel scheduled for summer of 2020. Once the modifications are complete, the AMAZON will meet the industry’s requirement for pipelay and construction in the ultra-deepwater market.
