Rolls-Royce for Offshore Vessel Upgrade

Rolls-Royce has received an order worth over $20m to supply diesel generator sets and thrusters to Houston-based offshore engineering and construction company J. Ray McDermott.

The order, which includes six underwater mountable azimuth thrusters and four Bergen generator sets, is being supplied as part of a major upgrade to the customer’s specialist offshore vessel, Derrick Barge 50 (DB50). The heavy-lift derrick and pipe laying vessel is based in the Gulf of Mexico.

The six thrusters are each capable of providing 44 tonnes of thrust and have a variable frequency electric motor drive and a fixed pitch propeller. They will interface with the vessel’s dynamic positioning system to significantly increase the station-keeping capability of the vessel, allowing it to operate in more severe weather conditions. The new diesel-engine generator sets provide 19.2 megawatts and, with the new thrusters, provide increased propulsion and electrical power to DB50.

DB50 is capable of lifting loads of up to 4,400 tonnes and laying pipe up to 20 inches in diameter in more than 9,000 feet of water.