Horizon Offshore Contractors, Inc. has been awarded a contract for the installation of a portion of Exxon Pipeline Company's Hoover Offshore Oil Pipeline System (HOOPS). The 20-in. pipeline project includes a directionally drilled shore approach near Freeport, Texas, and pipelay to a depth of 35 ft. and the burial of approximately 67 miles of pipeline. The project will utilize three of Horizon's vessels. Cajun Horizon will be used for offshore directional drilling support, Lone Star Horizon for pipelay and Canyon Horizon for pipeline burial. Horizon has also formed an alliance with Cal Dive International in the Gulf of Mexico. The alliance…