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Idle Jack-Up Repurposed as Offshore Service Vessel

MOSSV
Illustration courtesy WJM

Published Mar 31, 2016 8:26 PM by The Maritime Executive

Offshore engineering and project management firm William Jacob Management (WJM) has announced a new concept for a multipurpose offshore vessel based on the platform of a surplus heavy duty jackup rig. 

The new MOSS V will be a self-propelled platform fitted for multiple applications, to include rigless plug and abandonment, construction support, topsides repair, decommissioning, workover, wireline and crew accommodations (as an adjacent floatel). WJM will oversee the design and construction of the conversion. Several candidate rigs have already been identified. 

The firm says that the concept offers several major advantages, including the replacement of multiple service vessels with a single platform, lowering costs; greater ability to withstand harsh weather than that offered by smaller lift boats; the ability to operate in deeper water, to about 400 feet; and a large open work deck of 10,000 square feet. 

“In the current industry climate, an increasing number of plug and abandonment and decommissioning projects are coming online in the GOM,” said Michael Duffy, WJM’s president. “For an extremely competitive day rate, the MOSS V offers a unique set of multi-functional characteristics, eliminating the need for clients to hire multiple expensive vessels to perform various tasks . . . Its versatility makes the MOSS V a one-stop shop for a variety of offshore requirements.”

The MOSS V will be fitted with a 500-ton crane for construction support, in addition to the smaller 10 to 30-ton cranes already fitted on the rig. It will also have a 2,000 square foot enclosed machine shop and welding area for work in all weather. 

Northport Marine will be the client for the first-in-class platform, which is scheduled for delivery in early 2018. 

The strategy is among several under consideration for repurposing the many vessels idled due to industry downturn. Multiple subsea construction and offshore services firms are marketing their existing vessels for wind farm work; shipbuilder and ship repair firm Damen is proposing conversion of OSVs into specialty vessels, including live fish carriers; and electrical generation company Karadeniz is buying capesize bulkers at low prices in order to turn them into mobile floating powerplants.