Derrick Barge News

U.S.-based offshore service firm Helix Energy Solutions has secured a 39-well decommissioning contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shelf with an unnamed client. The project, awarded to Helix's Louisiana-based subsidiary Helix Alliance, is expected to start in mid-2023.The scope of work includes the plug and abandonment of 39 wells, 15 pipelines, and seven structures.

U.S. based offshore well services company Helix Energy Solutions Group has finalized the previously announced acquisition of the Alliance group of companies, bolstering its decommissioning footprint in the Gulf of Mexico.Alliance is a Louisiana-based privately held company that provides services supporting the upstream and midstream ‎industries in the Gulf of Mexico shelf, including offshore oil field decommissioning and ‎reclamation, project management, engineered solutions, intervention…

U.S.-based offshore oil and gas services firm  Helix Energy Solutions Group is set to buy equity interests of Louisiana-baed Alliance group of companies for $120 million cash at closing, plus the potential for post-closing earnout consideration.Alliance is a Louisiana-based privately held company that provides services supporting the upstream and midstream ‎industries in the Gulf of Mexico shelf, including offshore oil field decommissioning and ‎reclamation, project management…

An American offshore services trade group is accusing Swiss-headquartered Geoquip Marine of violating the Jones Act, a U.S. law requiring seaborne cargo shipped between two U.S. points to be carried by American-built, -crewed and -owned vessels.A report published by the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) alleges that Geoquip Marine's Geoquip Saentis—a Chinese-built, foreign-crewed and Bahamian-flagged vessel—transported subsoil samples from points on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to U.S. ports for testing in support of an offshore wind project."U.S. wind power should mean U.S.

A new report from a U.S. offshore services trade group details alleged Jones Act violations by a foreign-flagged vessel in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA), which recently launched its Jones Act Enforcer program to document and report violations of the U.S. law requiring seaborne cargo shipped between two U.S. points to be carried by American-built, crewed, and owned vessels, said it received a tip from an industry stakeholder that Louisiana-based Triton Offshore had posted photos on social media showing its Chinese-built…

A sunken derrick barge has been raised from the Gulf of Mexico seafloor following several months of planning, engineering, on-site preparations and the heaviest salvage lift ever accomplished in the Americas, said marine services and wreck removal specialists Resolve Salvage and Fire Americas.The 350 ft x 100 ft derrick barge DB1 sank 30 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on October 22, 2017, when adverse weather caused it to drag anchors and contact the offshore platform that the DB1 was engaged in removing.

Rudy Teichman, a legend in the U.S. marine salvage industry, founded T&T in 1957, now one of the world’s largest international salvage companies. In a sense, Rudy was larger than life and one who was often referred to as a “force of nature.” He was an entrepreneur, inventor, salvor, deep sea diver, airplane pilot, licensed mariner, restaurateur, musician, philanthropist, mechanic, machinist, politician, and husband, father and grandfather. And, in spite all of his accomplishments, he was more importantly a man of character, hard work and integrity, in a time when your word was your contract.

McDermott International, Inc. has been awarded a contract to install the offshore jacket, deck and piles for the Ayatsil-A drilling platform for PEMEX Exploracion y Produccion in the Bay of Campeche Ayatsil field. The value of the award is included in McDermott’s fourth quarter backlog. “The Ayatsil-A installation award from PEMEX is a direct result of the substantial local capabilities and operations of McDermott in Mexico, and our demonstrated track record of safe and reliable platform installations for PEMEX in the Bay of Campeche…

(A) 22 deg. 17.034'N / 114 deg. (B) 22 deg. 17.033'N / 114 deg. (C) 22 deg. 16.995'N / 114 deg. (D) 22 deg. 16.997'N / 114 deg. The works will be carried out by a flotilla of vessels including one derrick barge, two tugs and two work boats. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements. A working area of approximately 15 metres around the barge will be established. Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of work. The hours of works will be from 0700 to 2300 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will stay in the works area outside the hours of work.

McDermott International, Inc. has successfully concluded the transportation and installation of a Yoke-type Single Point Mooring tower and hook up to a Floating Storage Offloading (“FSO”) vessel for PT Rekayasa Industri offshore Indonesia in the Banyu Urip field. PT Rekayasa Industri was appointed by Mobil Cepu Limited, an ExxonMobil subsidiary, as one of the engineering, procurement, construction and installation contractors for the field. “PT Rekayasa Industri awarded the contract to McDermott earlier this year,” said Hugh Cuthbertson, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific. The Yoke-type Single Point Mooring Tower is a critical component which enables mooring of the FSO unit at the site.

McDermott International, Inc. says that one of its subsidiaries has entered into an agreement with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation to provide construction and decommissioning support services employing Derrick Barge 50 (“DB50”) on the Red Hawk project, located in Garden Banks 876. The DB50 will remove mooring lines for the Red Hawk spar and provide accommodation and decommissioning support services. Mobilization is expected during the third quarter 2014. “This project is yet another example of our efforts to improve asset utilization beyond the requirements of our existing backlog,” said Dominic Savarino, Vice President and General Manager, Americas. The DB50 is a dynamically positioned (DP2) premier heavy-lift vessel with deepwater lowering capabilities that can accommodate 320 personnel.

McDermott International, Inc. announced today that one of its subsidiaries was awarded a contract to provide transportation and installation services to Walter Oil & Gas Corporation for the Megalodon platform destined for South Timbalier Block 311 in the Gulf of Mexico. The project is expected to be included in McDermott’s third quarter 2014 backlog. McDermott will provide all materials and equipment to transport and install the six-pile platform in 391 feet of water, over an existing well site.

McDermott International, Inc. apprise that the Derrick Barge 101 was recently mobilized to Indonesia to perform fast-track heavy-lift work for a client offshore Indonesia. Response time to fast-track work is just one of the key elements to a successful project outcome,” said Hugh Cuthbertson, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific. “Our Project Management and Offshore Resources teams expedited the planning process, while ensuring compliance to safety throughout, to achieve mobilization within just a few days. McDermott adds that this contract is included in its first quarter 2014 backlog. McDermott is a leading provider of integrated engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) services for upstream field developments worldwide.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), U.S. Coast Guard and Walter Oil & Gas Corporation (Walter), through the Unified Command, continue to oversee and coordinate response efforts to secure the South Timbalier 220 natural gas Well A-3. Safety of personnel and protection of the environment remain the top priorities. BSEE approved plans to send a camera and logging tools down the wellbore and is conducting visual observation along with Unified Command. Observations will be used to advance well intervention plans. No gas releases are reported from fixed wireless  detectors placed some 30 feet from the top of the well or detection devices carried by  all onsite personnel. Drilling on the relief well is underway using the Rowan EXL-3 jack-up rig, contracted by Walter.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), U.S. Coast Guard, and Walter Oil & Gas Corporation (Walter), through the Unified Command, continue to oversee and coordinate response efforts to secure the South Timbalier 220 natural gas Well A-3. Safety of personnel and protection of the environment remain the top priorities. Drilling began on the relief well Sunday using the Rowan EXL-3 jack-up rig, contracted by Walter. Drilling is expected to continue for approximately 35 days. Many factors can affect the expected schedule including weather and the intricate work of locating the target well bore at the end of the drilling process. A relief well is drilled to intercept the target well. Once intercepted, drilling mud, followed by cement will be pumped into the well to secure it.

Bisso Marine Llc., a provider of energy and maritime support services, announced the acquisition of three offshore construction assets: the 800-ton capacity derrick barge, Ex-IOS 800; the combination derrick laybarge Ex-IOS Pipeliner and the 400’ x 100’ accommodations/support barge Ex-International Frontier.   The barges will be in the shipyard and drydocked to receive some modifications and upgrades during the next few weeks and will be renamed before being put into service in June 2013.   www.bissomarine.co

McDermott International, Inc. has announced  that one of its subsidiaries has received a letter of award for a turnkey contract for the PB-Litoral-A production platform for PEMEX Exploracion y Produccion in the Litoral Tabasco Tsimin-Xux fields. The value is approximately US$ 230 million and will be included in McDermott's fourth quarter 2012 backlog. “This project reaffirms our Altamira, Mexico fabrication facility as a key player for both domestic and international offshore construction projects,” said Steven W. Roll, Vice President and General Manager, Atlantic region. McDermott’s global resources support turnkey engineering, procurement, construction and installation (“EPCI”) solutions and offer Pemex the most competitive solution for the PB-Litoral-A production platform.

Nearly two years ago, the Obama Administration tightened rules for removing “idle iron” – old oil platforms and pipelines – and on plugging unused wells in the Gulf of Mexico. That September 2010 move was part of a federal crackdown on deepwater oil and gas operations following the 2010 BP spill. Since then, heavy-lift companies have continued to rid the Gulf of unused structures and other firms have positioned themselves for that work. Under the 2010 rules, wells that hadn't been used for five years were to be abandoned or “zonally isolated” within three years after Oct. 15, 2010.

Donjon Marine Refloats car ferry GOV. HERBERT H. LEHMAN. After a competitive bidding process, in late March 2012 Donjon Marine was awarded a job to refloat the 277-foot Ex-Staten Island, NY car ferry Gov. Herbert H. Lehman. The vessel sank in the Hudson River while in layup in Newburg, NY. After almost four weeks of patching and test-pumping the submerged hull, and with the use of Donjon’s 1000-ton capacity Derrick Barge Chesapeake 1000 to stabilize the vessel during refloating, the ferry was successfully refloated and returned to owners.

Zentech, Inc. has acquired the former Derrick Barge 23 and renamed it ZEE RIG 3. “We intend to upgrade the vessel in two phases, first for use as a crane barge with increased lifting capacity, and later as a much larger self-propelled jackup vessel for wind farm installation service,” said Zentech President Ramesh Maini. The vessel is being prepared for conversion work at a Gulf Coast shipyard. The vessel was purchased from Bohen Crane and Equipment Repair LLC. In its current configuration, ZEE RIG 3 is 400 Ft. long, 100 Ft. wide and has a hull depth of 29 Ft.

Momentum recently completed the offshore installation of the DANA LWS (Light Weight Structure) for PCPP. PCPP is a joint venture between Petronas Carigalli, PetroVietnam and Pertamina of Indonesia. Momentum loaded the structure on to a Barge and installed the structure using a Jackup drilling rig. Traditionally, the installations of these structures are done using a Derrick Barge at a far greater expense to the client. “Momentum continually seeks innovative and cost effective solutions for their clients”, stated Jimmy Larsen, Deputy Managing Director.

On July 25th, Donjon Marine Co., Inc. was awarded a contract to salvage and return to owners the 100-foot passenger ferry Royal Miss Belmar, which grounded on approach to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, on July 4th. Donjon mobilized its 400-ton capacity derrick barge Columbia, NY to the site with its 3000-HP tug Mary Alice to lift the vessel from its grounded position. The recovered vessel was then loaded onto the deck of the Columbia, NY, lashed for seaworthiness, and successfully delivered to Savannah, Georgia, where the vessel was trans-loaded to a local shipyard facility for repair.

China Offshore Oil Engineering Corporation (COOEC) signed a contract with SpecTec Asia Pacific East Ltd, SpecTec Group Hong Kong subsidiary. The contract is relevant to the supply of AMOS Maintenance and Procurement modules for six Offshore Support Vessels, two pipelay vessels and one crane barge. AMOS M&P will integrate management of maintenance work and costs, stock control and purchasing onboard the vessel. One of the vessels included in the contract is COOEC first flagship deep-water pipe-laying vessel, the Haiyangshiyou 201. The vessel will be used on CNOOC’s deep-water pipelay service duties at Husky’s Liwan 13-1 Gas Field in the South China Sea.