FPSO 'Western Isles' at Damen Verolme Rotterdam

Date: June 2017
Ship name: 'Western Isles'
Ship type: Offshore Production Vessel
Yard: Damen Verolme Rotterdam

Tasks performed for this project

Completion and re-activation of FPSO for deployment in the North Sea

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In 2017, Damen Verolme Rotterdam (DVR) once again exhibited its expertise in working on FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels). These are among the largest and most complex vessels afloat today and as such need yards that have both the scale to accommodate them and access to the skills and suppliers required to service them.

In April the brand-new 55,942 dwt FPSO Western Isles arrived under tow at DVR straight from her build yard in China. Owned by Dana Petroleum, the vessel is a cylindrical unit with a diameter of 87.5 meters, and was there for completion and reactivation.

The works

From the beginning this was no ordinary project. DVR assisted with floating the FPSO off the giant semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, the Xin Guang Hua, in deep water before towing it into the yard and docking it. Once the vessel was drydocked, work began on the installation of the bend stiffeners that protect flexible pipelines from over bending at the termination point. These can be installed while a vessel is afloat, but doing it in dry dock minimises the chance of any mishaps. Assistance was then given during fill-up and the reactivation of entire FPSO including its processing equipment before its departure.

Key success factors

The project was judged a success by all involved. DVR delivered an excellent job on a highly sophisticated vessel within a tight time schedule. From the tender phase through to execution this was achieved through extensive planning and preparation by the yard’s project team, close cooperation with the customer, and DVR’s extensive experience with complex, multidiscipline projects involving a number of departments. It’s ability to take responsibility for aspects of the overall project such as the offloading and movement of the vessel was also valued by the client.

The client

This was the first project that DVR has undertaken for Dana Petroleum. The invitation to tender was based on the yard’s experience and track record with FPSOs and the contract was awarded based on its ability to meet the owner’s requirements.

Expertise with FPSOs

The FPSO Western Isles is the fourth cylindrical FPSO to have visited Damen Verolme Rotterdam. In 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively, Sevan Piranema, Sevan Hummingbird and Sevan Voyageur each visited the yard for outfitting work. They involved the receiving, pre-assembly and installation on the hull of process skids, pressure vessels, piping and valves. In addition, various marine systems for the technical spaces, cranes and oil offloading stations were also commissioned.

Following the reactivation at DVR, the FPSO Western Isles was towed to the Dana-operated Western Isles Project located in the Northern North Sea, 160km east of the Shetlands and 12km west of Tern field. It is now accepting crude from least five production and four water injection wells plus two exploration wells, and offloading into shuttle tankers.

DAMEN VEROLME ROTTERDAM

Damen Verolme Rotterdam can accommodate any seagoing vessel or floating offshore unit. The yard is well known for its drydocking, repair and maintenance capabilities and has a long track record of modification and conversion of ‘upstream’ offshore units.