Ithaca Energy Charters Solstad Offshore Platform Supplier
Norwegian offshore support vessel firm Solstad Offshore has secured a term contract for the platform supply vessel Far Symphony in the UK North Sea.The contract is with the UKCS-focused oil and gas company Ithaca Energy.Under the charter, the platform supplier, equipped with DP 2 from Kongsberg, will be supporting Ithaca’s UK North Sea operations for a period of one year firm, with further options up to one year. Solstad did not share the financial details.The contract for the 2003-built, Ulstein-designed PSV will begin during this month.
Solstad Farstad Bags New Contracts
TAQA Bratani has awarded Solstad Farstad ASA a contract for the Platform Supply Vessel PSV Far Spica (2013, PSV 08 CD Design). The contract is the duration of TAQA’s mobile drilling Campaign in the UK Sector, which is approx. 18 Months, with expected commencement in Q1 2018. Far Spica is currently trading the North Sea Spot Market. AGR Well Management Limited has awarded SOFF a contract for the PSV Normand Aurora (2005, P105 Design). The contract duration is for 1 well firm + 1 well options supporting West Hercules in the UK Sector and the commencement is expected to take place March 2018. The firm period has an estimated duration of 75 days. Normand Aurora is currently trading the North Sea Spot Market.
Omicron Gas System Installed on Four Farstad Vessels
The Omicron Gas System, which is designed for monitoring flammable and toxic gasses in liquid cargo tanks,was chosen for use aboard four Farstad Platform Supply Vessels. This sophisticated new solution, which Autronica Fire and Security AS will display on its stand at SMM in Hamburg, has been installed to ensure safety during transport of liquid cargo, with particular focus on the monitoring of gases produced in tanks by used drilling fluids/mud, which is classed as hazardous material. Farstad has chosen the Omicron Gas System for use aboard its PSVs Far Seeker, Far Searcher, Far Symphony and Far Star, in order to meet safety requirements from Statoil.
Norway: Teekay Seeks to Grow Suezmax Fleet
Expanding the Suezmax fleet and greater involvement in carrying oil products are among the ambitions being pursued by theTeekay Tanker Services (TTS) business unit of Teekay. "At the same time, we're working to expand our strong Aframax position," said TTS Vice President Peder Farmen, who heads the product transport sector of TTS from the group's Norwegian office in Stavanger. Teekay's conventional shipping operations in Norway have further diversified the company's fleet, the majority of which is comprised of Aframax vessels. Since Teekay's acquisitions of Bona Shipholding in 1999, Ugland Nordic Shipping in 2001 and Navion in 2002, Teekay has established itself as a leading tanker operator in the North Sea and Atlantic, in addition to the Pacific.
