Cammell Laird Receives Coflexip Conversion Project

Cammell Laird Tyneside announced that it secured a significant conversion project for the vessel CSO Constructor. The vessel, which belongs to the Coflexip Stena Offshore Group, is currently a dynamically positioned offshore diving support vessel. The conversion project entails converting the vessel to undertake deep water flexible and rigid pipe laying activities together with deep water subsea installations. Work entails the addition of over 2,000 tons of new steel, the majority of which is in a new 15 m vessel length extension. Two new deck cranes, 25 & 300 tons and a hydraulically driven internal pipe carousel will be fitted along with a significant upgrade of the vessel's systems including the installation three new 1,360-kw generators. A dynamically controlled "Intering" anti heeling control system will ensure safe operation of the 300-ton crane. An integral part of work is a life extension program, which will prepare the vessel for its new role, including shot blasting and painting of all the ballast tanks. David C. Dobson, General Manager & Director, said "We are delighted to bring this worldwide leading subsea services group to Tyneside on such a prestigious conversion project. The work will create employment opportunities for Tyneside and will also secure work for the yard through to April 2001." Donald Carmichael, Group Vice President Offshore Resources, said: "This decision strengthens the capabilities of the CSO fleet and enables the Group to offer its clients, located in strategic development areas, cost effective solutions thanks to the vessel's capabilities and versatility; installation of pipe (1,500 metric tons of rigid or 3,000 metric tons of flexible), subsea construction with heavy lift capacity for deepwater, repair and maintenance. It is pleasing that a European yard should be successful in competing for this contract, and meet technical & schedule requirements." The vessel has already arrived on Tyneside for its six-month stay and the award of this important project demonstrates Coflexip Stena Offshore's faith in Cammell Laird.