ODIM Scores Deepwater Breakthrough

ODIM secured a contract from Aker Oilfield Services to deliver a 125-tonne ODIM CTCU system. This is as part of a joint industry project (JIP) supported by Norway’s Demo 2000 research program. This contract also opens the way for deliveries of ODIM CTCU systems to the Aker Oilfield Services newbuilding program, which includes five vessels in addition to the ship covered by the JIP.

‘‘This is an important breakthrough for our deepwater technology ODIM CTCU, and our commitment to the very promising deepwater market,’’ says chief executive Jogeir Romestrand at ODIM ASA. The contract primarily ensures full financing for ODIM’s fabrication and on- field testing of a system with a twofall configuration, which allows players pursuing demanding deepwater projects to install structures weighing up to 250 tons. The system is due for delivery in April 2009.

Since the contract price for developing a 125-ton lifting system will depend on the scope of necessary additional equipment, the overall cost has yet to be determined. The JIP now being joined by Aker Oilfield Services is partly funded through Demo 2000. This programme has been established by the Research Council of Norway for project- oriented technology development in the petroleum industry. It has proved an important instrument for generating the kind of project involved here. The JIP is also joined by Shell and Statoil. With fewer large discoveries and more petroleum exploration in deep water, a strong growth in deepwater installation is expected from 2008- 09. The ODIM CTCU technology makes it possible to use fiber rope instead of steel wire cables for installation work in deep water, which provides major benefits in terms of weight. That in turn permits the use of smaller and cheaper vessels. “The Demo 2000 project in which Aker Oilfield Services has now decided to participate confirms that the industry embraces the ODIM CTCU technology and its capacity,’’ says Per Ingeberg, president of ODIM Alitec AS and responsible for market and technology development of this solution.

‘‘This is a big leap for the installation industry. With a 250- ton lifting capacity, we’re raising ODIM CTCU up a step and into a market with great potential both immediately and in the longer term. The installation market is now seeking systems which can handle modules weighing up to 250 tonnes in water depths of more than 1 500 meters. ODIM CTCU represents the best available solution for such conditions. We see that operators want to secure this core technology in order to have a total solution for the aft deck in the future.’’