Royal IHC to Design and Build Vessel for Subsea 7

Royal IHC and Subsea 7 have signed a contract for the design and build of a new reel lay vessel. This high specification vessel will be capable of installing complex rigid flowlines including pipe-in-pipe systems.

In close cooperation with Subsea 7, IHC has incorporated several innovative features to make this the most technologically advanced vessel to date. The vessel’s compact dimensions are facilitated by the creative positioning of its three engine rooms and main reel, efficient use of the superstructure, and low-profile pipelay ramp. The smart use of space opens a large aft working deck, whilst the optimised mass distribution minimizes the ballast water requirement.

With model tank testing already having been performed, Subsea 7 can be confident that it will receive a vessel from IHC that excels in performance, both in transit and in DP conditions, and provides maximum comfort for the crew.

The design of the reel lay system focuses on operational efficiency and flexibility, alongside crew safety. The twin tensioner pipelay ramp tilts to allow pipeline installation from shallow waters to depths of up to 3000m. The large multi-level workstation optimizes the efficiency of operations in and around the firing line, whilst a fixed auxiliary reel, recessed into the main deck, gives payload flexibility.

Royal IHC has delivered a total of eight vessels to Subsea 7 in the course of their longstanding relationship. This new Reel lay vessel will be the first to be equipped with a pipe lay system, also designed, engineered and built by IHC.

Delivery of the vessel is planned for early 2020.

Dave Vander Heyde, CEO Royal IHC, says: “We are very proud of the confidence that Subsea 7 has placed in IHC. Our integrated approach to vessel design will give Subsea 7 an industry leading asset that sets a new standard in offshore pipe lay. Based on the ratio between top pipe tension and payload to displacement, this will be one of the most cost effective vessels to enter the market.”