01

Dutch contractors
invest en masse

Modern customers want

full-service provision

New semi-submersible
Type O Super Vessel

Building excellence
for complex projects

www.heerema.com

F3-FA platform
is a unique
Turning concepts into reality! construction
offshore holland

Successful engineering and fabrication of large and complex structures

for the offshore oil and gas industry demands not only fabrication and
facility operating expertise, but also a fabrication-driven engineering
focus to ensure on-time delivery within budget. Heerema Fabrication Group
Noordweg 8
At our fabrication location Heerema Zwijndrecht we completed the 3336 LH Zwijndrecht
nr. 1

largest offshore deck ever built in the Netherlands. The picture shows The Netherlands
the 11,000 tons Integrated Production & Hotel Facility topsides for the Tel: +31 [0]78 - 625 04 25
BP Valhall Re-Development project during the load-out operation on a
2011

E-mail: info@hfg-heerema.com
seagoing barge. Heeremas Zwijndrecht facility has a capacity which
ranks amongst the largest indoor facilities in Europe. Check our track record at www.heerema.com

At Heerema Fabrication Group we are turning concepts into commercial

reality: from conceptual design to final fabrication and delivery. A HEEREMA COMPANY

Dutch knowledge is called in when the going gets tough

 Offshore and EPC Contractors

Solutions for
OFFSHORE ACCOMMODATION & SUPPORT
tomorrows world
Van Oord Offshore is an Offshore and EPC Contractor that offers
high precision subsea rock installation, trenching & backfilling,
landfall installation, pipe pulling and SPM & GBS installation works.
With an extensive global track record in the offshore construction
industry, Van Oord Offshore has proven its expertise to provide
clients with a safe and solid solution for their offshore structures.

o r k f ox
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SPM installation Subsea rock installation Trenching and backlling Landfall construction GBS installation

Planetenweg 5, 2132 NH Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

info@workfox.com www.workfox.com
 May | 2011

4 | F3-FA platform
A reusable platform supported on the bed of the
Offshore Holland is a high-quality magazine
North Sea with four large suction piles, on which
with the objective to promote the interests and
the complete topsides is suspended from superbolts.
export opportunities of the Dutch supply and
service companies in the upstream oil and gas
industry. Moreover technological developments
will be highlighted in order to contribute to
a positive representation and positioning of
the Netherlands as innovative and ingenious
16 | Dutch contractors
partner country.
invest en masse
Dutch contractors are one again willing to invest
Initiators
in new shipping stock. There is confidence in the
future of the international oil and gas industry.

22 | Full-service provision
Offshore Holland spoke with Director Joep Athmer
Supported by
of Van Oord Offshore about recent activities,
investment in new equipment and the establishment
of a traineeship programme for the next generation
of offshore workers.

54 | Building excellence
Backed by an ideal location, excellent facilities,
a highly-skilled and dedicated workforce,
Netherlands-based Keppel Verolme offers
Advertising innovative and cost-effective solutions.
Navingo BV Westerlaan 1
3016 CK Rotterdam The Netherlands
Contact: Jeroen Tresfon
T: +31 10 209 2600. E: jt@navingo.com

10 | First depwater pipelay system

Retra PublicitietisService
Contact: Vera Dijks
12 | Natural gas production
T +31 23 571 8480
E: vera@retra.nl
20 | Worlds deepest TLP
Editorial
30 | Type O Super Vessel
Han Heilig and Paul Schaap
T: +31 2555 530577
36 | A world first from CMF
E: han@practica.nl

40 | Strength in creativity and innovation

Production
Practica Productions:
48 | Foresight is the essence of government
Peter Ruiter and Corine van Luijken

58 | Specialist in specialities
All copyrights reserved by Offshore Holland

2011 1
 wind FaRm theatRe

NOMINATEd fOr bEsT suppOrTINg AcTOr

The Damen Sea Axe offers your crew and personnel a swift and safe
trip offshore. It combines the comfort of a limousine with superb
handling characteristics in all weather conditions.
Jaap GellinG DamEn ProDuct DirEctor HigH SPEED VESSElS

2 2011
Dutch oil and gas suppliers
demonstrate innovative and
resourceful character
IRO The Association of Dutch Suppliers in the Oil and Gas Industry, is proud to present you the first
edition of the new magazine Offshore Holland! The first magazine that will inform the international oil
and gas industry on the expertise and service of Dutch companies that are related to the offshore
industry. High profile technological developments will be presented to you and will demonstrate the
innovative, creative and resourceful character of the Netherlands.

IRO will celebrate its 40th Anniversary
by the end of 2011. 40 years of
experience, expertise and knowledge
has brought us to the point where we
are now. The main minerals of the
Netherlands are natural gas and petro-
leum. Annual production in 2009 was
74 billion m3 of natural gas and 1.6
million m3 of oil. In the Netherlands
and the Dutch sector of the continental
shelf a total of 20 mining companies
are operating at about 800 locations
on land and around 150 at sea.
Since the discovery in the sixties of
the large gas field in Groningen, the
Netherlands is one of the largest gas
producers in the world and gives the
Netherlands a leading position in
Europe. Many new techniques have
been developed since then.
Also the Dutch oil industry has expe-
rienced major developments. The re-
opening of the Schoonebeek oilfield in
the beginning of this year due to new
techniques, is a great example of that.
The oilfield will produce 125 million
barrels of oil in the coming 25 years,
which brings new perspectives.
The need for oil and gas will only
grow, due to fast growing welfare
societies. Not only in Europe and the
United States, but also in upcoming
industrialized countries like China,
India, Brazil and other countries in
Latin America. To this growing demand
for oil and gas, companies react with
investments in new projects, tech-
niques and material. So do the Dutch 3000 meters below sea level. This is
suppliers and services companies. just another example of developments
in the industry.
A survey held by Ernst & Young in
December 2010 among Dutch oil and Another important market for the
gas supply and service companies, Dutch supply industry will be the
learned that the Dutch Oil & Gas decommissioning of abandoned oil
services industry has a strong posi- and gas platforms at sea. Many
tion, which is expected to hold for the companies have started preparations
next coming years. Compared to the for this gigantic yet to come, the
situation in 2009, one is more positive only uncertainty is when.
on market developments, individual
position and potential for growth. Thanks to their high standards in
For many Dutch supply and services innovation and technology the Dutch
companies the recent worldwide suppliers are capable of meeting any
recession has not been a major crisis. challenge now and in the future.
The majority sees recovery and Read all about their expertise and
expects an upturn within a year. knowledge in Offshore Holland!
The local market for suppliers is
expected to develop for the better over Sincerely,
the next 5 years and international
market conditions for both service Hans P. de Boer
and other contractors are clearly Managing Director IRO
expected to strengthen over the
coming years. Concerns about
bringing in enough orders have been
replaced by that of the shortage of
technically trained people.
A major challenge for the Dutch
offshore industry is working in very
deep water and arctic areas. Since
the first drilling in 1947 (5,5 meters
waterdepth) in the Gulf of Mexico,
one worked at a water depth of 300
meters until around 1980. But now,
thanks to ROVs (Remotely Operated
Vehicles), it is possible to work at

2011 3
Project involving major technical challenges

F3-FA platform
is a unique
construction
A reusable platform supported on the bed of the North Sea
with four large suction piles, on which the complete topsides is
suspended from superbolts. This is the best description of the
new F3-FA gas production platform operated by Centrica Energy.
However, what at first glance appeared to be a simple upscaling
of a previously employed self-installing offshore platform in fact
turned into a true R&D project that really pushed the boundaries
of what is today possible in terms of steel technology and
mathematical computing. The relief when the platform was
finally firmly anchored on the seabed of the F3 block at the start
of September 2010 was correspondingly great. Nonetheless,
this successful conclusion was preceded by a considerable
volume of preparatory work.

It was already widely known that the lead-up to the F3-FA project had involved
a FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) study in the period April through to
August 2008. During this study, it was determined whether the gas field in ques-
tion in the F3 block of the Dutch sector of the North Sea could be developed
on the basis of a SIP-2 concept. SIP stands for Self-Installing Platform, in other
words a platform that can be installed offshore without needing to call upon the
services of a large crane vessel and heavy pile-driving equipment, but simply
using a transport barge, a lifting system of strandjacks and suction piles. In this
case, however, far larger versions of each of these systems had to be used than
employed in the two previous occasions on which self-installing platforms were
deployed, including the installation of the platform in the Calder field in the
Irish Sea, in 2002. On that occasion, the platform, weighing 680 tonnes, had to
be installed in just 29 metres of water. Its topsides measured 20 metres long by
16 metres wide, and it was equipped as a marginal gas production platform.
Shortly following completion of the FEED study, Centrica Energy decided that
it would employ the SIP-2 concept. Against that background, an EPCI contract
was signed in February 2009 with the Heerema Fabrication Group (HFG) as
main contractor and fabricator, and with Iv-Oil & Gas and SPT Offshore as part-
ners. Alongside the offshore installation using a transport barge, the platform
had to fulfil one other key requirement: it had to be possible at a later stage to
easily remove the platform from the field for subsequent redeployment in either
the Dutch or the British sector of the Dutch Sea.

4 2011
 Specifications
The production time for the F3 gas
field is estimated at eight years, but
the platform itself must have a use-
ful life of at least twenty years. The
platforms maximum production
capacity is 3 million cubic metres of
gas a day, 3,450 barrels of condensate
and a maximum of 150 cubic metres
of water. Two wells will be connected
to the platform, with an option for a
third. The gas will be discharged via a
10-inch diameter pipeline connected
to the existing pipeline infrastructure
in the F3 block. The extracted gas is
brought ashore in the Netherlands,
at Callantsoog. The platform offers
accommodation on board, for a crew
of 18. As well as local operation, the
platform can also be controlled and
monitored remotely, from Centrica
Energys G6 production platform.
Compared with the previously men-
tioned Calder platform, the F3-FA
platform has been designed far larger
and heavier, is installed in deeper water
and must handle far more difficult
wind and sea conditions. The topsides
is 50 metres long, 30 metres wide and
30 metres high, and weighs in at more
than 4,000 tonnes. The footprint of
the complete platform, with conven-
tional and suction piles, measures
63 by 45 metres, and the structure
reaches a total height of 133 metres.
Each of the four suction piles weighs
440 tonnes, is 13 metres high, and has
a diameter of 15 metres. According to
HFGs project manager Frank Slangen,
in total, the complete platform weighs
8,800 tonnes and the design and
fabrication took in excess of 1 million
man hours.

The F3-FA gas production platform

installed offshore.

2011 5
 Drawing of the new F3-FA reusable
gas production platform operated
by Centrica Energy.

Headaches
Wim Bal, managing director of Iv-Oil
& Gas explained: During the design
stage, it rapidly became clear that this
was more than a relatively simple up-
scaling of the initial SIP concept. The
process section was not the problem.
That was based on a concept tried and
tested on numerous occasions on the
North Sea. The real headaches were
reserved for the strength management
for the platform construction. Nor-
mally speaking, the jacket of a plat-
form consists of legs, strengthened by
braces. The result is a relatively rigid
structure. In the case of the F3-FA
platform, the four legs without braces
are subjected directly to the force of
the waves, which in turn generate
further forces on the topsides. As
a consequence, the normal methods
for strength calculation were practi-
cally useless a situation that was in
fact not discovered until well into the
process. We then decided to try out an
FEM analysis on the basis of which
the entire platform could be modelled.
As it turned out, in the deck alone
there were just under one thousand
connections, known as nodes. We
then attempted to place these nodes
into seven categories. After carry-
ing out about 200 load cases on each
of the points, a matrix emerged that
had to be thoroughly calculated. The
initial problems the designers came up
against involved the contradictions in
static and dynamic loading. The static
load problems could easily be solved
by using more steel in the structure.
But in this case, the dynamic loads
were so great that in fact less steel
had to be used. While the calculations
went on, work on fabrication was
started at the HFG yard in Flushing.
Fabrication of the four 13 metre-
high suction piles, each weighing
440 tonnes.

6 2011
To solve the node problem, we chose
to remove them entirely from the deck
for the time being, and to reinstall
them once the fabrication of the top-
sides was completed. The water depth
restrictions meant that the clamping
system for the deck had to be raised
higher.
According to project engineer Fedor
van Veen, the SACS programme was
used for the static calculation, in
combination with an ANSYS model.
The results were tested by a work-
ing group at the Delft University of
Technology and by Lloyds as certify-
ing body. All in all we very much
pushed at the boundaries of what is
possible in terms of steel technology
and mathematical computing.
Superbolts
One unique element of the design is
the way in which the entire topsides
is attached to the four legs. Wim Bal
The site move of the F3-FA deck at
the HFG yard in Flushing.
continued: On top of the legs, we
produced a massive construction. A
sort of yoke, with bolt holes. In these,
6 metre-long bolts with a diameter of
240 millimetres are suspended, each
weighing 2 tonnes. These are known
as superbolts. There are four such
bolts on each leg. Each bolt is preten-
sioned to 1200 tonnes. Even the nuts
weigh 300 kg each. The entire topsides
is therefore suspended on sixteen
superbolts. Another unique element is
the design of the clamp connections.
These are sort of half shells that were
put in place after the platform had The 6 metre-long superbolts from which the
been installed offshore. These clamps, complete topsides is suspended.
attached to the main deck, were filled
with specially-manufactured rubber
blocks. 20 blocks, each weighing 250
kg, were placed in every clamp. The
use of these rubber blocks prevents
the moment loads applied to the legs
being transmitted into the deck. The
rubber simply absorbs the peak loads.
2011 7
 The load-out operation in Flushing.

Pancake method
As in numerous other construction
projects, this topsides was also built
using the pancake method in other
words, deck by deck. This work was
undertaken by the HFG yard in Flush-
ing. Overall project manager Frank
Slangen explained: The topsides was
built in our construction hall. A start
was made on the work in September
2009 and following the site move
of the module on platform trailers
to an outdoor location, the four 75
metre-long legs were installed, using
a 1,300 tonne crane. At one point, we
had ten cranes travelling around the
yard to ensure that all the installa-
tion work was completed on time. The
4,000 tonne deck was subsequently
lifted using strandjacks to install
Sail-away of the fully-assembled
the grillage on the underside, neces-
platform on the Boa Barge 35.
sary to ensure solid support for the
topsides on the transport barge. The
grillage was 6.7 metres high, and in
total weighed 800 tonnes. It is also
worth recording that the risers for the
production wells travel through one
leg, while the gas transport pipeline
passes through another. The leg even
includes a second pipeline for an
optional additional connection.
Frank Slangen went on: Another
unique feature was that the entire
structure was first rolled over onto
the H-541 barge operated by Heerema
Marine Contractors, on platform trail-
ers, and subsequently onto the Boa
Barge 35. Measuring 31.5 metres wide,
this transport and installation barge
was of precisely the right width to
allow the legs and suction piles with
reinforcement frames to be suspended
down both sides. This work involved
the floating crane Matador 3.

8 2011
Transport and installation
The partners also gave careful con-
sideration to the transport operation.
According to managing director Mark
Riemers of SPT Offshore, respon-
sible for transport and installation, a
MOSES model was used for calculat-
ing the transport forces. Model tests
were also carried out in the towing
tank at MARIN. For transport to the
F3 field, considerable water depth was
necessary because viewed from the
top, the four 13 metre-high suction
piles hung more than a metre down
into the water. The operation therefore
required a total draught of 14 metres
and a total width of 63 metres. In-
cluding grillage and securing devices,
the total transport weight was 10,150
tonnes. To secure the legs, extendable
beams weighing 2,100 tonnes were
fitted to absorb the vertical forces, in
combination with an 1,850 tonne fork
construction to absorb the horizon-
tal forces. On 18 August of this year,
the transport barge headed out to
sea. The Boa Barge 35 was towed by
the Norwegian tugs BB Worker and
BB Server. On the outward journey
to Flushing, these tugs had already
installed an anchor pattern in the F3
block, to allow the barge to be moored
immediately upon arrival on site. The
journey out to the F3 block took almost
four days. Once on site, however,
conditions proved too stormy, and the
barge had to return to shore. Because
of the draught, the initial plan was to
use Rotterdam as safe haven. How-
ever, the authorities refused to allow
the transport into the port. The storm
strengthened to a force 9 gale, with
waves of up to 6 metres in height.
After a 24-hour wait, we were
eventually allowed to enter the
port. Upon inspection, it fortunately
emerged that the platform had
suffered no damage whatsoever.
Once the storm had died down, a
second attempt was made. Because the
two Norwegian tugs were assisted in
this second operation by the far more
powerful Bourbon Orca, the outward
journey time was shortened by ten
hours, representing a reduced weather
risk. On 1 September, the transport
arrived in the F3 block, for the second
time. Using the strandjacks, we
lowered the legs in three hours and it
took just another six hours to subse-
quently simultaneously fix all four
suction piles in position. The topsides
was then released from the Boa Barge
35, and lifted up into position. When
the barge was pulled away, the most
precarious part of the operation in
terms of weather risk was concluded.
During the night of 2 to 3 September,
at 1 a.m., precisely two days and four
hours after arrival in the field, instal-
lation work was concluded.
Following commissioning, the
drilling rig Noble Scott Marks drilled
the first production well, and just after
New Year, the first gas was produced
from the field. The first gas delivery
represents the successful conclusion
for HFG, SPT Offshore and Iv-Oil
& Gas of a challenging project that
imposed severe demands on the
partners, but at the same time
generated considerable knowledge
for future projects.
2011 9
IHC Engineering Business invested heavily in technology

First Deepwater
Pipelay System
Focussing on designing and delivering tailor-made engineering
solutions to exacting offshore challenges has been very much
the focus of IHC Engineering Business (IHC EB) since it was
established in 1997. In recent years, the innovative company has
undergone a significant step change in its engineering and project
execution capabilities, positioning itself as one of a small number
of companies around the world capable of delivering vessel
systems of significant size and complexity. As part of the Dutch
IHC Merwede Group since 2008, IHC EB has invested heavily in
its technology and talented engineers and is now capable of
delivering large-scale, tailor made pipelay systems. The first of
these systems to be completed is a rigid pipe laying system
for global contractor Saipem.

In June last year, following over two years of intensive design and manufacture,
the J-Lay tower left its manufacturing location on Teesside, Northern England
and transited to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) Geoje shipyard in South Korea.
Here it was successfully offloaded and installed onto the clients new build
vessel, Saipem FDS2 (Field Development Ship).

Commissioning
The project team is currently commissioning and testing the 2,500 tonnes of
equipment in Korea, prior to its first commercial operation in summer this year
(2011). With a second delivery of supporting equipment having recently arrived
requiring significant checks, the team is currently integrating and testing the
system before its sea trials. IHC EB will provide support during these trials as
well as during the first operations of Saipem FDS2 as she enters service.

Firstof-a-kind
IHC EB was awarded the contract by Saipem in the third quarter of 2007 and
has developed a pipelay tower that is specifically tailored to the clients project
and requirements. This kind of complex engineering project requires a dedi-
cated team and the ability to work closely, and in partnership, with Saipem
throughout every stage. This has certainly strengthened IHC EBs reputation as
a leading supplier of pipelay systems and demonstrates its capability to deliver
such large-scale engineering projects. Designing and building this firstof-a-
kind system has been a remarkable achievement of which we are justifiably very
proud, says Toby Bailey, sales and marketing director of IHC EB.

10 2011

Payload
Delivery of this project has required
growth in all areas of the business;
technology, people, organisation and
facilities. The companys infrastructure
has greatly strengthened throughout
this process, including the develop-
ment of a structural engineering
function. Proof of their engineering
and production skills is the fact that
DNV has issued design approval for
this innovative J-Lay tower, and IHC
EB has successfully met the stringent
weight targets set by the client, which
allows Saipem to carry the maximum
possible payload on the vessel.
Safety
The new system, one of the worlds
largest and most versatile, is able to
accommodate pipes from 4 to 36 IHC EB spent considerable time inter-
and is rated at 2,000 tonne hang-off
capacity. By adjusting the angle of
the tower, from 45 to 96 degrees, the
system is capable of laying pipe in
shallow or deep water up to 3,000
metres. Key design drivers have been
the optimisation of pipe handling
operations to ensure low cycle time,
highly constrained working envelopes,
and ensuring safety in all aspects of
operation.
Safety is a fundamental requirement
in the oil and gas industry, and it is
also a priority for IHC EB. With this in
mind, the tower incorporates back up
systems such as Safety PLCs for safety
critical functions and is regulated to a
Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3, demon-
strating the level of risk-reduction
that has been provided.
Statistics
60,000 lines of software code; and
facing with other suppliers throughout
the process to ensure that the system
would function correctly as part of a
larger equipment arrangement. With a
significantly congested deck, there is
minimal clearance between the tower
and its Assembly Station (AST), which
meant that optimisation of the deck
layout and the system was vital.
There are a host of fascinating sta-
tistics surrounding the J-Lay system
including the fact that at 65 metres
tall and 14 metres wide it is taller
than Newcastles Tyne Bridge (located
some fifteen miles away from IHC
EBs headquarters). The total weight of
the tower including all pipe handling
The J-Lay tower installed onto the
clients new build vessel, Saipem
FDS2 (Field Development Ship).
equipment is 2,500 tonne and the
maximum weight of pipe that can be
hung off the tower is equivalent to
suspending 266 double-decker buses.
There are 25 kilometres of cable;
over 5 kilometres of welding.
Not only does IHC EB complete such
large-scale pipelay systems two
more are in development; but it also
designs and manufactures trench-
ing equipment, specialist handling
systems and provides outstanding life
cycle support. With an Offshore Sup-
port Base well positioned at the Port
of Tyne, IHC EB can service its manu-
facturing activities, and also provide
a wider range of services including
commissioning, mobilisation and
demobilisation, equipment load out,
hydraulic, electrical and mechanical
testing, dry dock storage and vessel
crew changes.
2011 11
From small fields in the Netherlands

30 BCM natural gas produ

Dutch gas resources

The current level of gas production in the Netherlands is around

75 to 80 BCM per year with small fields contributing 30 to 35 BCM.
Small fields production is declining and according to the 2009
forecast by the ministry will reach some 10 BCM by 2030.

The Dutch gas reserves are some 250 BCM, excluding the
Groningen field. Contingent resources are currently estimated at
200 BCM, build up from increased ultimate recovery and field life
extension (100 BCM), stranded fields (50 BCM) and tight/shallow
gas 50 BCM). The exploration potential for conventional gas is
estimated at some 200 BCM as well. Contingent together with
prospective resources are estimated at some 400 BCM,
1.6 times remaining small field reserves.

12 2011
ction in 2030
The ambition of 30 BCM in 2030 was for the first time stated
some 3 years ago by Energie Beheer Nederland, the state
owned company with 40% share in most of the gas producing
joint ventures. Clearly the Dutch energy province is mature and
production from the older fields is declining. Strong points are
however its closeness to the NW European gas market, existing
infrastructure (in particular offshore), its Small Fields Policy and
still significant opportunities for exploration and production,
albeit from smaller or more difficult fields.

In 2010 the Gas Hub Consultative Platform was initiated by the Ministry of
Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and the energy sector. One of the
four working groups focused on all aspects related to the mining climate in the
Netherlands and generated ideas on how to improve it. This year these ideas
will be further jointly worked by the ministry, the E&P industry and knowledge
institutes aiming at the realization of this ambition of 30 BCM in 2030. 30 BCM
in 2030 excludes any production from the Groningen field. The Groningen
field still contains just over 1000 BCM of gas, which will be produced over
the coming decades.

Mining Climate
An important first step in improving the mining climate in the Netherlands
was realized September last year when the offshore fallow acreage covenant and
the financial measure for stimulating of marginal fields came into force. The
purpose of the covenant is to stimulate activities in parts of existing production
licenses where currently no activities take place and also no significant activities
are planned by the current licensee. If a third party is interested in working in
that area, it will be released to that party. The financial measure will improve
the economics of marginal fields by allowing an additional depreciation of
25% of the investments costs (exploration and development for new prospects
or developments costs only for stranded fields) from the State Profit Share.
Several applications were filed and the first ones are approved.
The first steps to improve the mining climate were taken but more needs to be
done. That will be subject of the joint working group between the ministry and
the E&P industry. Results are expected late this year.

2011 13
 Implementation of new techniques has just started
and further improvements are to be expected.

Technology and cost reductions

Reduction of exploration, development as well as operating costs are essential
when current fields are nearing their end of life and new fields are getting
smaller or more difficult to develop. Significant steps were and are being made
to make this happen. Examples of cost reduced developments in exploration and
development are the mono-pile, a single leg unmanned platform, installation of
a new type of production platform, which can be moved to another field when
the field is depleted and a smaller drilling rig, purposely build for drilling in
shallow North Sea waters. Improvements in seismic, both in shooting and in
interpretation, are stimulating exploration activities for smaller fields.

Extending life of existing fields is also essential as it helps to maintain the

on- and offshore infrastructure. As many fields are approaching this part of the
life cycle, attention has increased and the results are encouraging. Examples are
well stimulation by fraccing and foam injection/velocity strainers for solving
liquid loading problems. Implementation of new techniques has just started and
further improvements are to be expected.
The working group between the ministry, E&P sector and knowledge institutes is
focused on new options through improved cooperation between various players.
In particular smaller players may benefit from these initiatives.

Expectations
Ultimate recovery factors for existing gas fields are typically around 75 to 95%.
However a considerable number of fields have lower recovery factors, mostly
due to compartmentalisation and reservoir quality. Fields reaching end-of-life
experience low pressure, water production and increasing opex per unit
produced. There is a strong incentive to extend field life and in that way
increase the ultimate recovery of existing fields. Encouraging progress is being
made. Current estimates show a potential of some 100 BCM.

Stranded Fields
Stranded fields are not developed as they are currently uneconomic to develop.
The financial measure introduced last year in the Netherlands is targeting those
fields to improve their economics. Several companies, mostly newcomers in the
Netherlands, are focused on developing those stranded fields. Economic viable
development and operations of offshore stranded fields is often dependent on
the availability of infrastructure close by. Hence timing is important. Current
estimates show a potential of up to 50 BCM.

14 2011
 NOGEPA

NOGEPA stands for the

Netherlands Oil and Gas
Exploration and Production
Association.

It represents the interests of

members, associates and so-
ciety in general. Developments
in safety, sustainability and
climate are followed closely.

NOGEPA constantly seeks

optimal balance between
economic viability and
responsible operations.

Tight gas / Shallow gas

Tight gas potential is significant and the focus is very much on new develop-
ments to make development of these fields economically viable. Further
developments in fraccing are essential to make this happen. Most of these fields
are offshore. The estimate of tight gas potential is very much dependent on
technological progress to increase production from (very) tight fields. Shallow
gas is already produced with success in the north of the Dutch Continental
Shelf. Current potential of tight and shallow gas is around 50 BCM.

Unconventional gas
Exploration licenses have been awarded for unconventional gas in the Nether- Development in
lands, in particular focusing on onshore shale gas developments. Exploration
wells are planned. The challenge is to get public acceptance for these types of technology together
activities as the Netherlands is a densely populated country. This is a time
consuming process in the Netherlands for onshore activities. It is still too early with a supportive
for a meaningful estimate of the potential of unconventional gas production in
the Netherlands. The expectation is that the focus for the next decade will be mining climate are
very much on conventional gas.
determing factors for
The challenge
Further developments in technology are key as these will lead to cost reductions the Duth gas sector.
in all three phases in exploration, development and operation. Further develop-
ments in technology together with a supportive mining climate are determining
factors that will shape the future of the gas sector in the Netherlands.

2011 15
Dutch contractors invest en masse in new equipment

Confidence has
recovered!
Dutch contractors are once again willing to invest en masse in
new shipping stock. Orders have already been placed for various
types of crane vessels, heavy lifters, fallpipe vessels, dredgers
and jack-up platforms. Confidence in the future of the offshore oil
and gas industry and of the global economy as a whole seems
to have fully recovered. And, as has traditionally been the case,
Dutch contractors are once again willing to push the boundaries.

One remarkable fabrication order is for the dynamically-positioned platform

installation/decommissioning and pipelay vessel Pieter Schelte. Allseas signed a
contract with Daewoo shipyard in Korea fort his vessel, in June of last year. At
382 metres in length and 117 metres at the beam, this vessel will be the largest
of its kind in the world. The Pieter Schelte will have a lift capacity for topsides
of 48,000 tonnes and a jacket lift capacity of 25,000 tonnes. The pipelaying
tension capacity will be 2,000 tonnes, twice that of the worlds largest pipelay
vessel to date, Allseas own Solitaire. The Pieter Schelte will be capable of laying
pipes with outside diameters of between 7 and 68 inches, in very deep water.
Handover is planned for 2013.
During the same year, the monohull deepwater construction vessel Aegir
will be handed over to Heerema Marine Contractors. This vessel, also under
construction at the Daewoo yard in Korea, will itself be suitable for laying pipes
in very deep water. The tension capacity will be 2,000 tonnes. The Aegir is
further set to be fitted with deepwater lowering equipment for installation work
to depth of up to 3,500 metres, and the ship will also be able to install platforms
in relatively shallow water. For this purpose, a crane with a lift capacity of
4,000 tonnes will be mounted on the aftership. The 210 metre-long dp3 vessel
will be capable of fast transit speeds.
Since the start of this year, the state-of-the-art monohull crane vessel Oleg
Strashnov has been in service with Seaway Heavy Lifting. This 183 metre-long
vessel has a lift capacity of 5,000 tonnes. The most remarkable feature of the
Oleg Strashnov is its hull shape. The hull has been designed to offer additional
stability during lifting operations, while still achieving a transit speed of 14
knots during transport operations. The lift capacity of the Strashnov is twice
that of SHLs monohull crane vessel Stanislav Yudin.

16 2011
 Oleg Strashnov

Length overall
(excl crane and anchors) 183.00m
Length between perpendiculars 171.38m
Breadth moulded (lifting) 47.00m
Depth main working deck (moulded) 18.20m
Design draught (moulded) 13.84m
Scantling draught (moulded) 14.00m
Speed 14.0kn
Deadweight at scantling draught 48,000t
DP Class 3
Main hoist 5,000mt
Auxiliary hoist 1 800mt
Auxiliary hoist 2 200mt
Whip hoist

New heavy lifters

In the same way that Allseas is
pushing its boundaries with the
Pieter Schelte, heavy transport
specialists Dockwise are following suit,
by developing the so-called Type O
self-propelled semisubmersible heavy
lift transport vessel. With a revolu-
tionary bowless design it will be
the first vessel of its kind in service
in the maritime transport industry.
Dockwise has appointed Hyundai
Heavy Industries (HHI) of Korea as
its shipbuilding yard. The total cost
of the vessel, including all project
and design costs, is expected to be
approximately USD 240 million.
For more information see page 30
in this magazine. Dockwise hopes
to take delivery of the ship by the
end of 2012. Also in 2012, Dockwise
will take on the management of a
brand-new heavy lifter. This vessel,
currently under construction in China,
will have a transport capacity of
50,000 tonnes.

The most remarkable feature of the Oleg Strashnov is its hull shape.

2011 17
Pieter Schelte.
Another Dutch player in the upper
segment of the heavy lift market,
Fairstar Heavy Transport, has plans
for fleet expansion. Two 50,000-tonne
dwt vessels, christened Forte and
Finesse are currently under construc-
tion in China, and are due to enter
service in 2012.
Dutch transport specialists active in
the project cargo sector are also hard
at work investing in new ships. The
fleet at BigLift Shipping is to be
expanded with the addition of five
new Happy-D type vessels, each
weighing 17,250 tonne dwt, and all
to be built in China, while two 18,680
tonne dwt Happy-S type vessels have
been placed on the stocks at a yard
in India. The Happy-S ships will be
christened Happy Sky and Happy
Star, and each will be equipped with
two cranes with a lift capacity of 900
tonnes. In tandem, this equipment will
enable the vessels to load and unload
cargoes weighing up to 1,800 tonnes.
Dutch contractors are once again willing to push the boundaries!
18 2011
The Happy Sky and Happy Star will
be handed over later this year.
The first two new heavy lifters have
now been delivered to RollDock. Both
vessels were built at a yard in Hazira,
India, and have been christened
Rolldock Sun and Rolldock Sea. A
further six of these heavy lifters will
be handed over by the same yard
between now and 2013.
The two latest additions to the Jumbo
Shipping fleet, the Fairplayer and the
Jumbo Jubilee, have already been in
operation for more than a year. Both
ships are equipped with two cranes,
each with a lift capacity of 900
tonnes, capable in tandem of load-
ing and un-loading cargoes of up to
1,800 tonnes. The Fairplayer has been
specially equipped with a dynamic
positioning system and a deepwater
deployment system that together
allow heavy loads to be installed on
the seabed, in water depths up to a
maximum of 3,300 metres.
Artist impression of Seafox 5.
Fallpipe vessels
The Dutch dredging contractors have
also been making heavy investments.
The dp2 flexible fallpipe vessel
Stornes for example, built in China,
is due to be handed over this year
to Van Oord.
This 175 metre-long vessel, with a
load capacity of 27,000 tonnes, will
be able to carry out rock installation
work up to a water depth of 2,000
metres.
The arrival of the Stornes enlarges
the fleet of flexible fallpipe vessels
available to Van Oord, to four.
The other three are the Nordnes,
the Tertnes and the Jan Steen.
For its part, Boskalis now has a
flexible fallpipe vessel on the stocks
at a yard in Singapore. This 159
metre-long vessel will be handed
over at the end of the year. Boskalis
already operates two other fallpipe
vessels, the Seahorse and the
Sandpiper.

Yet another Dutch dredging contrac-
tor, Tideway Offshore Contractors, is
also having its own flexible fallpipe
vessel, the Flintstone, built in
Singapore. The Flintstone will be able
to undertake rock installation work at
water depth of up to 2,000 metres.
See page 48 for more information.
The dredging contractors are also
investing heavily in other specialist
ships. Van Oord, for example, recently
took possession of the brand-new
trailing suction hopper dredger Vox
Mxima. This vessel, built by IHC
Dredgers, has a hopper capacity
of 31,200 cubic metres. Two other
ships are also under construction for
Van Oord, at the same yard. The pair,
to be christened Athena and Artemis,
will be the most modern and most
powerful self-propelled cutter suction
dredgers in the world.
The Athena will be handed over in
October 2011, the Artemis in mid-2013.
Finally, in 2009, Boskalis took
delivery of the trailing suction
hopper dredger Willem van Oranje.
This vessel, also built at IHC Dredgers,
has a hopper capacity of 12,000 cubic
metres, spread over two hoppers.
Wind turbine installation vessels
This year, MPI Offshore, a subsidiary
of Vroon Offshore Services, will
take delivery of the wind turbine
installation vessels MPI Adventure
and MPI Discovery. These 140
metre-long vessels, equipped with
a 1,000-tonne crane, are a larger
version of the MPI Resolution. For the
MPI Adventure, the first of the pair
due to be delivered, a long-standing
charter is in place for installation
of the foundations for wind turbines,
in British waters.
Starting in mid-21012, Workfox, the
operational manager of the Seafox
fleet, will be able to put into operation
Van Oord has also commissioned
the construction of a transport
and installation vessel for
constructing offshore wind farms.
The vessel will be constructed
at the Sietas shipyard in
Hamburg, Germany.
its self-propelled installation jack-up
vessel Seafox 5. This vessel, built in
Singapore, will have an installation
capacity of 1,200 metric tonnes.
Finally, Van Oord has awarded the
order for the fabrication of a transport
and wind turbine installation vessel
for constructing offshore wind farms.
The vessel will be 139 metres long,
and will have a hoisting capacity
of 900 tonnes. As EPC contractor,
Van Oord has already been involved
in the construction of a number of
offshore wind farms. The company, in
collaboration with Typhoon Offshore,
has now signed a contract for the
construction of two wind farms, each
generating 300 MW of power, in a
section of the North Sea to the north
of the Wadden Islands, on behalf of
BARD-Netherlands.
2011 19
Worlds deepest TLP becomes
MARINs 9,000th test model!

In spring last year, the world deepest TLP (5,187 ft) was tested
at MARIN for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and FloaTEC. The Big Foot
TLP represents MARINs 9,000th test model since the maritime
research institute opened in 1932.

This extended Tension Leg Platform (ETLP), designed by FloaTEC, will be

located at the Big Foot Field development at the Walker Ridge Block 29 in
the Gulf of Mexico. The platform will be a local host with Dry Trees and the
associated Top Tensioned Risers (TTRs), with full drilling, workover and side-
track capability on the topsides. Chevron is the operator of Big Foot and the
co-owners are Statoil USA E&P and Marubeni Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.

The model tests focused on the behavior of the platform in Gulf of Mexico
Hurricane conditions. The large water depth required the use of the 30 m
deep pit in the MARIN Offshore Basin. Together with its dedicated wave
generators, wind fans and special current generation system, the basin offers
unique possibilities for modeling realistic currents, waves and wind at scale.
Previously, this special pit was used for other major deep water projects, such
as Shenzi, Pony, Okume, Ormen Lange, West Seno TLPs and the Perdido Spar.

20 2011
Warehouse in Houston will be fully refurbished

Van Beest launches

EXCEL in the USA
Van Beest is a producer of accessories for steel wire rope and chain. The head office is based in
Sliedrecht, the Netherlands. Here you will also find the factory where the Green Pin shackles are
manufactured. Another factory is based in Celles sur Durolle, France, where the Excel hooks and
chain components are forged. Currently Van Beest is preparing the introduction of the EXCEL range
in the USA. They have already been selling Green Pin shackles into the American market for many
years, and with the introduction of the EXCEL range a complete line of lifting components for use
with chain or wire rope will be available under one roof.

Both product lines are used in many Houston packing tools so that the entire logis-
different lifting applications in various The Van Beest warehouse in Houston, tical process will work very efficient.
sectors such as the offshore industry, Texas already holds a large stock of Of course a good tracking and tracing
mining, shipping and fishing. Because Green Pin products, and now the system is also incorporated in the
the two brands complement each EXCEL products will be stocked there logistic process.
other perfectly they are often used as well. To make sure that there will This work will be done while the old
together in many situations. be sufficient space to stock enough warehouse is still in use to prevent
products to serve the USA market in delays in shipments to customers.
Complete the years to come they have pur- Van Beest expect to move to the new
The Van Beest company started in chased 3.5 acres (14,300 m2) of land premises end of 2011.
the 1920s as a forging company with a 15.000 square feet (1,400 m2) In the new situation Van Beest USA
that supplied products to the local warehouse: double the size of the will work with the same computer
dredging industry. Over the years they current facilities! It will ensure that a system as the rest of the Van Beest
specialized in the manufacturing of complete range is directly available International Group. Automatically
shackles, and in the 1970s they from stock and quick delivery to any- generated certificates from the com-
introduced the shackle brand Green where in the USA can be arranged. puter system, invoicing, packing lists;
Pin. Green Pin is now a leading trade The warehouse will be fully refur- the entire process will be done in the
mark for lifting shackles. bished and brought up to date with same manner in all Van Beest compa-
In 2007 Van Beest acquired the modern tools like barcode readers, a nies to ensure the same high quality
factory in France where EXCEL chain modern computer system and efficient standard worldwide.
accessories are manufactured. Excel
offers an extensive range of grade
80 and grade 100 hooks, and a vast
range of products. The EXCEL range
has a leading position in the European
market, and it is also exported
to many countries outside the EU.
The EXCEL range of chain acces-
sories is very complete. Everything
you need to make a chain assembly
is in the program. From the master
link to the hook, whether this should
be an eye, swivel or clevis hook. And
not only in grade 8, but almost every
product can also be supplied in grade
10 or stainless steel.
The new warehouse in Houston.

2011 21
EPIC contracts for installation of SPMs

Modern customers want

full-service provision
In quick succession, Van Oord Offshore based in Gorinchem successfully implemented four Single
Point Mooring (SPM) systems, one off the coast of Rumania and three offshore from the United Arab
Emirates. The company also made a major contribution to the Nord Stream project, as explained by
Director Joep Athmer. Other recent developments include the opening of a new regional office in
Houston, investments in new equipment and the establishment of a traineeship programme for the
next generation of offshore workers.

One of the first Engineering, Procure-
ment, Installation & Commissioning
(EPIC) contracts for the installation
of an SPM system was undertaken
on behalf of the Rumanian company
Rompetrol. This customer was look-
ing for a partner able to provide the
full range of services required. The
project involved the installation of
an SPM system for the loading and
unloading of oil tankers near
Constantza, in the Black Sea. The
project was undertaken in collabora-
tion with several subcontractors.
Van Oord Offshore deployed a whole
range of equipment for the project,
including a pipelay vessel, a trailing
suction hopper dredger, a backhoe
dredger and a linear winch that was
used to pull the oil pipeline ashore.
For us, it is important that any
project of this kind involves some
dredging work, rock installation work
or the pulling ashore of a pipeline.
Against that background, the sub-
sequent project at Fujairah in the
United Arab Emirates tied in precisely
with our objectives. The project in
question comprised the Engineering,
Procurement & Construction (EPC)
contract for the offshore work in the
Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline Project
(ADCOP). The work that had to be
carried out involved the installation
of three pipelines with a total length
of approximately 13 kilometres, and
the installation of three SPM sys-
tems, supplied by Bluewater based in
Hoofddorp. We first dug trenches for
each of the pipelines which were then
refilled following laying. As well as
the dredging and backfilling work,
the pipelines were pulled to the actual
location of the SPM, from shore, using
the so-called bottom pull method.
According to this method, the pipe-
lines are fully prepared on land and
then pulled out to sea using a work
barge equipped with a winch. The
workboat Jan Steen, classified by
Joep Athmer as a multifunctional
support vessel, played an important
role in the ADCOP project. The Jan
Steen is effectively a rock dumping
vessel, but can very easily be adapted
for carrying out dive support and
installation work.
Given the excellent experience
accrued during this and previous
projects, Van Oord Offshore intends
in the future to continue to present
itself as an EPC contractor. In other
words acting as main contractor
responsible for all the activities
required in a given project. This will
enable us to respond to the latest
trend whereby todays customers are
looking to purchase the full range of
services from a single supplier.
Russian projects
Another recently completed contract
involved the shore approaches of
two pipelines near Vyborg in Russia
as part of the Nord Stream project.
For this work we deployed our new
600-tonne linear winch and one of
our new backhoes. We recently took
possession of the two largest back-
hoes in the world, the Goliath and the
Simson. The vessel that dug the trench
near Vyborg, though which the pipe-
lines were subsequently pulled ashore,
was the Simson. In the process, the
backhoe proved capable of effortlessly
removing rocks weighing at least
100 tonnes. This was the first real
test for the newly delivered dredging
vessel. Elsewhere in Russia, Van Oord
Offshore is involved in the Baydarats-
kaya Bay Crossing project. For that
project, we are currently deploying
three hoppers for dredging trenches
across the Baydaratskaya Bay. When
our work is done, a number of gas

22 2011
 Artists impression of the fallpipe
vessel Stornes due to join the
Van Oord fleet in mid 2011.

One of the greatest challenges

currently facing us is finding the
right people for our business.
Director Offshore Joep Athmer

Director Offshore Joep Athmer.

pipelines will be laid in these trenches

via which Russian gas from the Yamal
peninsula will be exported to Western
Europe. Even further from home,
near the Russian island of Sachalin,
more dredging work is being carried
out for an offshore project. Van Oord,
together with a number of other
Dutch companies, is in fact a member
of the Project Delta Group. The group
advises both Gazprom and the Dutch
government on possible developments
relating to Russias large-scale plans
for oil and gas exploration in the
Yamal region.

2011 23
On time on budget
Van Oord Offshore has now success-
fully completed a whole series of
shore approaches for pipelines. For
example, near the Australian port city
of Dampier, as well as completing
dredging work for Woodsides Pluto
project on behalf of Allseas Marine
Contractors, a pipeline was pulled
ashore. The shore approach of a pipe-
line bundle for the Corrib Gas Field
Development project being undertaken
by Shell in Irish waters, has now also
been completed. As part of this project,
Van Oord Offshore dredged and
subsequently re-filled a 1,700 metre-
long trench. The equipment deployed
for this work included two backhoe
dredgers, three split hopper barges,
a trailing suction hopper dredger,
a laying barge and a linear winch for
pulling the pipeline bundle ashore.
The work was often made difficult
by poor weather conditions and the
unpredictable sea movements in the
Atlantic Ocean. Nonetheless, this
project was also completed to the
customers satisfaction, on time and
on budget.

Rock installation
As well as carrying out dredging
work, the shore approach of pipelines
and the installation of SPMs, Van
Oord Offshore has also established a
reputation for so-called subsea rock
installation work, in other words,
the positioning of rocks in very deep
water, with extreme accuracy. At the
start of 2010 we installed the final
rocks for the Ormen Lange project in
Norwegian waters. This was a very

24 2011
 The Simson is the largest backhoe dredger
of its kind in the world.

large project for our organisation, that

took several years to complete, and
for which millions of tonnes of rock
have been deposited at sea. The project
even involved installing rocks at a
water depth in excess of 850 metres.
For this specialist work, the Van Oord
Offshore fleet includes three flexible
fallpipe vessels, the Nordnes, the
Tertnes and the Jan Steen. The last of
the three is in fact a side stone dump-
ing vessel, but that can also be used
as a fallpipe ship. The largest of the
three, with a load capacity of 26,238
tonnes, is the Nordnes. The Jan Steen,
with a load capacity of just 1,824
tonnes, is the smallest. The company
operates another four smaller side
stone dumpers. In mid-2011, this stone
dumping fleet is due to be expanded
with the addition of the brand-new
DP2 flexible fallpipe vessel Stornes.
At 175 metres long and 26 metres
wide, the Stornes will be one of the
largest vessels of its kind in the world.

A new 600-tonne linear winch was

deployed for the shore approach of
the Nord Stream pipelines.

2011 25
This vessel, with a load capacity
of 27,000 tonnes, is currently under
construction at the Yantai Raffles yard
in China. Using this vessel, we will
be capable of dumping rocks in water
depths of up to 2,000 metres. We
ordered the fabrication of the Stornes
when market expectations were still
very positive. As yet, however, the
available tonnage has not undergone
the expected growth. At the same
time, our competitors are also hard
at work building new vessels. As a
result, in a couple of years time, rock
dumping capacity will have doubled
a development not matched by market
demand. All in all these facts repre-
sent quite a challenge.
Next year, as part of a consortium,
Van Oord Offshore will be under-
taking subsea rock installation work
on behalf of Petrobras, in Brazilian
waters. Petrobras has drawn up a
major investment programme for the
coming years, and we have a clear
impression that they intend to
increasingly make use of the services
of Western companies.
New offices
Mid 2010 Van Oord Offshore opened
its own regional office in Houston.
According to Joep Athmer, this was
a deliberate move. We opened the
office at the start of May, and our first
point of contact there is Jos Wellink.
Our goal is to be represented with our
own offices at a few key locations
around the world. This step is often
26 2011
taken in combination with the
establishment of a Van Oord dredging
division. In Houston, however, we felt
the need to have our own regional
representative. His most important
task is to maintain contacts with the
major operators, main contractors
and engineering organisations in the
oil and gas world, and to contribute
ideas on possible future developments.
We also have our own office in Perth,
in Western Australia, which since
mid-October 2010 has been headed by
Hans Luijnenburg, regional manager
Asia Pacific. Given the future
developments in North Western
Australia, a base in Perth brings us
closer to our customers.
Future prospects
Joep Athmer is positive about
prospects for the future. We expect
to see a great deal of activity over the
next few years in Australias North
West Shelf. And there are plenty of
challenges facing us in Russia, as well.
Another interesting development is
the emergence of ever more national
oil companies.
As the world population continues
to grow, alongside the demand for the
production and transport of oil and
gas, we expect the offshore sector to
provide us with plenty of work for
many more years to come. We are
however finding it increasingly
difficult to keep customers satisfied,
while QHSE (safety) requirements
are demanding ever more manpower,
 time and money. Another notable
development is that the procurement
departments of customers are play-
ing a more and more prominent role
in the awarding of orders; in many
cases, the only element considered
important is price.
Customers are also taking longer to
consider their actions before actually
placing their orders.
Nonetheless, one of the greatest
challenges currently facing us is find-
ing the right people for our business.
Because this is becoming increasingly
difficult, we have decided to train a
number of young people, in-house.
We have therefore recruited graduates
from university and higher profes-
sional education in the Netherlands
and beyond.

At the end of September, we started a

one-year Offshore Training Programme
for these candidates. Visitors to the
website www.debestetraineeships.nl
recently voted the already existing
Van Oord Technical Traineeship their
favourite traineeship in the category
Technology, just like in 2007.
By following the special Offshore
Training Programme, the next genera-
tion of employees will be introduced
to work in the offshore sector.

The installation of pipelines and

SPMs near Fujairah in the United
Arab Emirates.

2011 27
Efficient planning of operations, hours and days ahead

Dynamic Positioning Capa

Amarcon, based in Dalfsen, the Netherlands, is the creator of
Octopus, a suite of hardware and software products that form a
unique solution for the improvement of safety and efficiency for
ships operating at sea. This leading to significant cost reductions
for the industry.

OCTOPUS-Onboard is a part of the OCTOPUS suite of products and is

recognized as a state-of-the-art modular decision support system for ships and
other floating structures by world leading offshore contractors and shipping
companies. OCTOPUS-Onboard has been on the maritime market since 2003
for route and operation planning and optimization of speed, heading and fuel
consumption in every weather condition.

DP Capability
One of the extensions within OCTOPUS-Onboard is the Dynamic Positioning
capability forecast function, DP for short. The OCTOPUS-DP functionality gives
offshore vessels the possibility to make optimum use of a safe time window for
their weather-sensitive operations. An important remark has to be made here.
The OCTOPUS-DP functionality can not be compared with already existing
Dynamic Positioning Systems. Where traditional DP systems try to keep the
vessels position during an offshore operation, OCTOPUS-DP takes it one step
further. A forecast is given if the vessel is capable of maintaining her
position and heading in changing environmental and weather conditions,
hours and days ahead. In 2010 OCTOPUS-DP was installed on the Hoegh LNG
vessels Suez Cape Ann and the Suez Neptune. Both vessels use OCTOPUS-DP to
plan and document safe time windows for discharging LNG from the vessel to
shore trough a turret mooring and transfer system designed by APL - Advanced
Production Loading - of Norway.

How does it work?

Basically, the DP software calculates an onboard forecast of the mean and
slowly varying forces acting on the vessel due to currents, wind and waves. The
calculations are based on measured environmental conditions and on weather
forecasts, which are an integrated part of OCTOPUS-Onboard. The first result is
the forecast of the mean heading the vessel would obtain if weathervaning or
drifting. The DP Capability software also calculates how the expected forces will
influence the ship and if these forces would bring it out of position during an
operation at sea for any available thruster configuration. OCTOPUS-DP uses the
thruster properties as input. There is no direct link with the DP-system itself.

28 2011
bility Forecast
With the obtained information, it easy to judge for which DP thruster configu-
ration the vessel is resistant against expected forces or that it is better to stop
and start the operation at a different time. Safe heading sectors are given in Polar
Plots. A safe DP time window is given in the overall OCTOPUS Weather Window.
The window gives the crew a clear view on how these forces have a different
impact on the ship at a change of heading. Furthermore, when using the
weather window, critical weather conditions that increase the risks of excessive
large roll motion or, for example, large accelerations at the tip of a stinger or
crane can be foreseen in an early stage. This way the crew gets a clear forecast
if the operation can be executed in the hours and days ahead, and under which
heading this can safely be done. With DP capability the crew can easily see if
it is sensible and efficient to start or go on with the operation at sea. Or is it
better to start (again) at a different time?

The benefits are clear:

A clear and complete indication of the operational windows
 for weather-sensitive operations at sea
Better and efficient preparation and execution of projects
Less damages and stress to the vessel
Optimal use of man and machine in a safe environment,
leading to significant cost reductions.

A clear DP Capability forecast,

hours and days ahead.

2011 29
Perfect addition to the impressive Dockwise fleet

Type 0 Super Vessel

provides 110,000 MT
of possibility

As a result of providing innovative services to the Oil & Gas industry, Dockwise
began to study the feasibility of investing in a new semi-submersible Super Vessel
that is capable of helping clients meet their needs for bigger, integrated structures.
This so-called Type 0 Super Vessel will be the first of its kind for the maritime
transport industry, and will make the perfect addition to the impressive Dockwise
fleet. The vessel will have an overall deck size of 275 x70 meters, a revolutionary
bowless design, and a carrying capacity of up to 110,000 metric tons.

30 2011
 The business rationale for deciding
to build this new vessel is based on
current trends for upcoming projects
in the Oil & Gas industry, which
indicate that there is a need for this
type of larger vessel. Exploration
and production is shifting from more
shallow waters in traditional areas to
extremely deepwater Floating Produc-
tion Units (FPUs) and more remote
areas. Furthermore, the demand in the
industry is for larger, heavier equip-
ment, which can be built as a com-
pleted, integrated unit, says Dockwise
Managing Engineer Michel Seij.

According to Seij, currently, floating

production structures, like tension
leg platforms and semi-submersible
platforms, and gravity based struc-
tures with a deadweight of more than
50,000 metric tons must be transport-
ed separately and integrated or even
built at the destination. Other produc-
tion structures, like SPAR buoys, can
only be transported to a certain size.
The latest newly-built FPSOs and
semi-submersible crane vessels have
to be tugged to their destination.

Maximum
The maximum carrying capacity of
the current biggest semi-submersible
heavy lift vessels in the world goes
up to 50,000 metric tons. Only the
Dockwise vessel the Blue Marlin can
transport, in specific cases, structures
up to 73,000 tons (depending on the
vertical center of gravity).

Spar loaded onto the Dockwise

Type 0 Super Vessel.

2011 31
We arent just building a bigger vessel. Were building a better vessel
The Blue Marlin is 225 meters long,
with a width of 63 meters, and a
maximum water above deck of 13
meters. Dockwise concluded that if it
could offer a vessel to transport these
larger offshore cargoes as integrated
structures, it would significantly
reduce risks and insurance costs, as
well as expensive offshore man hours
for hook-up and commissioning for
Andr Goede, Dockwise CEO. clients. In addition, time to production
could be significantly reduced. From
experience, Dockwise has also learned
that a new vessel with even larger
dimensions will trigger new design
opportunities within the industry.
Unique projects
A key target market for the new
Dockwise Type 0 Super Vessel are all
offshore structures between 50,000
and up to 110,000 metric tons. These
structures can be categorized in float-
ing production structures for water
depths of more than 1,500 feet (Ten-
sion Leg Platforms, Semi-Submersible
Platforms, and SPAR buoys), gravity
based production structures for
shallow water depth (less than 300
feet) in harsh environments, FPSOs,
floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG)
structures, and semi-submersible crane
vessels. Dockwise has recognized a
significant number of unique projects
for the New Type 0 Super Vessel in
upcoming years.
But its not only the Type 0 Super
Vessels size that makes it unique. The
vessel also has a revolutionary inno-
vative design: it has no bow.
In addition, the Type 0 Super Vessels
design makes use of its optimal deck
32 2011
length and provides more flexibility.
The accommodation block and
navigation bridge are located on the
extreme starboard side. The vessel has
a dedicated design for ultra heavy
semi-submersible production platforms.
This includes optimized deck strength,
extreme wind load capabilities, and
stability characteristics to carry the
state of the art semi-submersible
production structures in line with
the latest air gap requirements.
There will be two diesel electric main
propulsion trains. In addition, there
will be two azimuthing thrusters on
the ship. There is no self-propelled
vessel of this size in the market and
we are keen to provide a solution that
will meet the needs of our clients in
the Oil & Gas industry all over the
world for decades to come, says
Andr Goede, Dockwise CEO.
New opportunities
The Dockwise Type 0 Super Vessel
can also serve the top end of the
current market for structures between
25,000 and 50,000 tons, as it is better
equipped to transport the latest fifth
and sixth generation semi-submersible
rigs, due to its large maximum sub-
mersible draft of 16 meters.
Also, structures with a very high ver-
tical center of gravity are best suited
for transport onboard the new Super
Vessel. Its innovative construction
has unlimited potential for the future
as well. The construction of our new
vessel will change the opportunities
for clients to build their structures
completely integrated, Seij says.
This is not only interesting from
a cost perspective, but its also
Artist impression of the Dockwise
Type 0 Super Vessel.

interesting for platforms in remote

areas, where there is basically no
integration infrastructure. In addition,
we have the flexibility to transfer
larger modules and cargoes around
the world. This means we can really
go where no one has gone before
and focus on challenging projects in
harsher climates in remote areas such
as West Africa, and Western Australia.
This will afford us new opportunities
in the LNG market as well.

New Horizons
For the Oil & Gas processing market,
marine transport services are required
for heavy onshore structures, such as
modules for LNG plants, refineries,
and petro-chemical plants.
Transporting large integrated units
onboard the new Type 0 Super Vessel
provides customers with a number
of benefits, including the option of
building and assembling large projects
or parts of projects in lower cost
environments, shorter transit times,
and operating efficiencies arising from
the reduced need for on-site support
equipment.
Despite recent economic woes, the
reality is that the world still needs
energy, as well as the equipment to
find and produce it. Dockwise sees
definite opportunities in the
Oil & Gas industry that the Dockwise
new Type 0 Super Vessel would be
perfectly suited for. Dockwise
welcomes the opportunity to offer
our new Type 0 Super Vessel as an
integrated transport solution to our
clients that offers innovative solutions
in terms of safety, flexibility, and cost
efficiency, Goede says.

2011 33
 FPSO loaded onto the Dockwise
Type 0 Super Vessel.
Dockwise also believes that the new
Dockwise Type 0 Super Vessel offers
clients and the industry a chance to
rethink their design concepts. It will
open up the market for fully integrate
semi-submersibles. It will lift a lot of
the restrictions in the design process
as well, Seij says. For Dockwise,
it will set new boundaries for what
we can transport. In addition, well
be able to rethink how we approach
integrated builds that simply were not
feasible before because of the weight
limitations for transport. With our
new vessel, we can play an important
role in the construction philosophies
of our clients.
Leader of the Pack
Once construction of the new vessel
is complete, the company will own
the worlds most unique vessel in its
industry. But its not just the new
vessels size that makes it stand out
Terms of propulsion, safety, strength, ballasting, bowless design and
flexible deck space all come together to truly set this vessel apart.
34 2011
from the rest. We arent just building
a bigger vessel. Were building a
better vessel, Seij says. We made
a thorough inventory of what our
current vessels can do. And we
identified the need for a vessel that
is not only bigger, but also more
flexible in its deck space design.
The result is a special design, but
also a vessel that, according to Seij,
incorporates all the features you
would like to see in a heavy-transport
vessel. A lot of the other vessels,
including a lot of the new builds, are
in certain areas compromised with
respect to efficiency and of course the
investment to be made, Seij states.
I think here, we really pushed for
the best solution for the cargo and
for the vessel itself, in terms of
propulsion, safety, strength, ballast-
ing, bowless design and flexible deck
space. All of these come together to
truly set this vessel apart.
Offshore Energy 2011 and
its international ambitions
One of the motives to relocate Offshore
Energy Exhibition & Conference to
Amsterdam RAI, is organizer Navingos
goal to develop Offshore Energy into
a leading international two-day event
with (inter)national audience and
exhibitors. Dutch capital Amsterdam
is ideal for this purpose and to host
the exhibition there provides an
excellent opportunity to position the
Netherlands as an international
offshore country.
For the past three years Offshore
Energy took place in Den Helder. Due
to the enormous growth in the number
of exhibitors and visitors, Navingo
decided to move to Amsterdam and
make it a two-day event on 11 and 12
October 2011.
International ambitions
To achieve these international goals
Navingo started to form a Committee
of Recommendation consisting of top
leaders from the offshore and energy
industries to realize the international
ambitions. So far, Mr. Jaap den Ouden,
founder and board member of Mercon,
Mr. Kommer Damen, Chairman of the
Board of the Damen Shipyards Group,
Mr. Bram van Mannekes, Secretary-
General NOGEPA (Netherlands Oil
and Gas Exploration and Production
Association), Mr. Hans P. de Boer,
Managing Director IRO (The Association
of Dutch Suppliers in the Oil and
Gas Industry), Mr. Ruud B. Zoon,
Managing Director GDF SUEZ E&P
Netherlands B.V. and Mr. Martin
Bloem, General Director Holland
Shipbuilding Association have
already committed themselves to
the Committee of Recommendation.
The members of this Committee of
Recommendation will advise on the
further professionalization of the
exhibition and the conference. At this
moment invitations are still pending
for more (inter) national leaders from
the offshore industry to take a seat on
the Committee of Recommendation.
Also the international marketing and
media campaign will be intensified.
For example, a delegation of Offshore
Energy Exhibition and Conference staff
will be present at other relevant lead-
ing offshore exhibitions in the world.
Explosive growth
In its three years of existence,
Offshore Energy has enjoyed an
explosive growth from 70 exhibitors
in 2008 to 231 exhibitors in 2010.
The expected future growth, would
make it impossible for Offshore
Energy to continue in Den Helder.
Amsterdam RAI provides larger
exhibition space, better accessibility,
adequate parking and nearby hotel
facilities. Amsterdam is internationally
known and Amsterdam RAI is more
easily accessible for international
exhibitors and visitors. With the new
location, organizer Navingo hopes to
attract more international attention
for future editions of Offshore Energy
and to accommodate all interested
exhibitors and visitors.
Two-day event
The Offshore Energy event is extended
by an extra day to allow the visitor
more opportunities to visit the entire
exhibition. Additionally, a two-day
event will give visitors as well as
exhibitors the opportunity to
participate in one or more parts of the
conference in 2011, which will once
again run parallel to the exhibition.
This extra day will make the Offshore
Energy Exhibition & Conference more
attractive and worthwhile for each
and every one of its exhibitors and
visitors.
Just as it has done for the past three
years, Offshore Energy will focus on
the offshore, oil, gas and wind sector;
a sector where there is still enormous
growth potential. The organization
remains committed to including
representatives from the entire off-
shore value chain in the editions of
Offshore Energy including those
from outside the Dutch borders and
beyond Europe. With a wider variety
of exhibitors and the growing
international attraction of the event,
Offshore Energy will benefit all those
involved and ultimately appeal to a
larger audience.
Offshore Energy 2011 will attract an
international audience of engineers,
technical specialists, industry leaders
and experts of oil companies,
subcontractors, offshore services and
operators to share ideas, debate the
issues of the moment and to create
common agendas for the future of
both the upstream and downstream
and wind energy industries.
2011 35
A world first from CMF in Velsen-Noord

Recovery of calcium bromi

oil-based mud emulsions
The Dutch and their appetite for innovation. It is fascinating to see how even a small country
can still be great. Where international contractors from offshore powers such as the United
States and, to a lesser extent, the UK and Norway are still struggling with a bromide problem,
a Dutch supplier has succeeded in developing a world first in this area. And, once again, it is
Central Mudplant and Fluid Services (CMF) from Velsen-Noord. The company has been ex-
tremely successful for years by processing drilling waste containing oil in an environmentally
friendly way. Now, after more than two years of intensive research, CMF has introduced an
innovative vacuum evaporator for treating and processing oil-based mud emulsions that
contain bromide and are difficult to process.

CMF director/owner, J.W. (Willem) van der Horst, is visibly proud of this
innovation and sings the praises of the contribution made by his Innovation
& Engineering Manager, Rick van Dijk. But anyone who knows him at all also
knows that Willem is very down-to-earth. He prefers to stand with both feet
firmly on the ground and is incapable of thinking in terms of exaggerated
superlatives. As far as Im concerned, the media can call it a world first if
they like. Ill never say that out loud. I do believe, however, that the media
are right. This is indeed a unique combination of technology and equipment
engineering. As far as we know, no other company anywhere in the world
has such a vacuum evaporator. No other company has the technology for
recovering calcium bromide brine from emulsions and then returning it to the
market as a certified product.

Waste
The new vacuum evaporator was recently commissioned at the Velsen Offshore
Base in Velsen-Noord. Willem van der Horst: Until recently, there was really
only one way to get rid of wastes containing bromide and that was to return
them to the environment in a highly diluted form. Bromide is an extremely
corrosive material. It is used in the oil and gas industry to create a heavy liquid,
without using weighting materials, that can then be used to kill wells. As a
result of this, mud suppliers introduced a bromide drilling mud onto the mar-
ket a few years ago. Everyone was happy because it has the advantage that no
barytes or other weighting materials need to be added to the liquid in order to
make a very heavy mud. What the mud suppliers and users had not taken into
account, however, was that this emulsion had been made so stable that the new
mud product could no longer be separated into its components. This meant that
the oil companies were confronted with a serious waste problem. What were
they to do with their heavily contaminated emulsion?

36 2011
de brine from
Simplicity
At the suggestion of one of their
clients, CMF started to look for an ef-
fective solution to the bromide waste
problem, entirely at their own ex-
pense and risk. Almost all the existing
separation techniques were tried to
see if the residue could be split into its
component parts. But without success.
We then tried new techniques and
modified existing techniques to see
if we could break the emulsion and
separate the components, continues
van der Horst. Invention is in our
blood. Thats why this project was a
real challenge. We were determined
to find a solution, and we finally
succeeded last year by applying a
relatively simple modification to an
existing technique. We then optimized
the improved procedure and have now
succeeded in recovering 400 tonnes
of product in the form of top quality
calcium bromide brine from the 2000
tonnes of residue that we had stored
here at the base.
As with so many things, the solution
that CMF has devised is simpler than
you would think. It makes Willem
van der Horst smile. You just have
to come up with the idea, he agrees.
But thats the way it is with most in-
ventions. At a given moment we were
trying out an existing technique that
is commonly used for water purifica-
tion. Wed made a few modifications
to it so that the system could also
handle bromide. Because if you were
to take a standard piece of equipment
and pour calcium bromide into it,
the equipment would corrode within
a day. We also added an invention
of our own to the final separation of
oil and water and there you have our
new vacuum evaporator.
CMF director/owner J.W. van der Horst.
Operation
The new vacuum evaporator looks
rather simple from the outside. The
ingenious gadget we are looking for
is out of sight on the inside of the
unit. I&E Manager, Rick van Dijk, also
keeps mum when we try to get more
Invention is in our
information out of him. As co-devel-
oper he is, however, prepared to say a
blood. Thats why
bit more in general terms about how
it works. The emulsions that we treat
this project was a
are drawn into the installation under
vacuum until we have 2200 litres in
real challenge!
the receiver. Here, also under vacuum,
the water content is evaporated from
the emulsion, so that we obtain a con-
centrate with high oil and sediment
contents. This concentrate is then
stored in a special tank, after which it
is diverted to our conventional distil-
lation plant. The evaporated water
is condensed via a heat exchanger.
When sufficient brine has been col-
lected in a special vessel, it is removed
and pumped to an after separator.
This is because there always remains
a light oil fraction that we then skim
off. The remaining water, which is
surprisingly clear, is then pumped to a
different storage tank and the equally
clean oil to yet another tank. Depend-
ing on the composition of the residue,
we can process up to 500 litres per
hour with this skimmer.
2011 37
International
Bromides are used all over the world.
The disposal of oil-based mud emul-
sions that contain bromide and are
difficult to process is therefore an in-
ternational problem. Do all countries
where they drill for oil and gas take
this problem equally seriously? Wil-
lem van der Horst believes so and re-
fers to the processing of drilling waste
The key question of recognition from a major oil
containing oil. I see that the standard
Honesty obliges Van der Horst to company that were very proud of.
that we in Europe have laid down for
admit that this is not a huge market. Most of the oil companies working
dealing with drill cuttings is now ac-
The treating and processing of oil- on the Dutch, UK and German
cepted worldwide. Not only that but,
based mud emulsions containing continental shelf now know about
in some countries where youd least
bromide is clearly a niche market. what is going on in Velsen-Noord
expect it, the criteria are even stricter.
Around 1000 tonnes of this waste but there is also a lot of interest
Im thinking in particular of the former
are generated each year in the whole from Nigeria in the brine product. Via
Soviet republics. Theyve set very high
of the North Sea and onshore an intermediary CMF are already sup-
standards in this area. As CMF weve
Netherlands. Depending on the degree plying a few thousand tonnes per year
been working on the manufacture,
of contamination, CMF can return of oil recovered from waste to
logistics and recycling of drilling
between 30 and 50% of those 1000 Nigeria. With the bromide brine
muds for 20 years. But were not
tonnes to the market as product. product, CMF is clearly well placed
alone. There are several other compa-
Weve succeeded in turning a waste for the future, but Willem van der
nies in the world that are using com-
material back into a new product. Horst has absolutely no ambitions to
parable techniques to do everything
Oil companies can buy the recovered open branches all over the world.
possible to ensure that drill cuttings
calcium or sodium brine from us at a We shall certainly not spread our
and waste containing oil no longer
fraction of the price of new brine. And wings any further. On the other hand,
end up in the environment. I expect
insiders will know that were talking the invention is for sale. For a fee,
it will go the same way with bromide.
about a very expensive product. anyone who wants to can operate
If it is clean bromide and it is used
anywhere in the world under our
offshore, it can just be discharged into
Under licence licence. In fact, we are already in-
the sea. Its not hazardous to the
If the recovered product is not sold, volved in a new project in Malaysia.
environment because, after all, bromide
it will ultimately be converted into The people there also want installa-
is actually extracted from the Dead Sea.
salt crystals and dumped. But it tions like those here at our base in
Its just salt. But its the secondary
wont come to that, explains Van Velsen-Noord. In this way, CMF
pollutants that make it difficult to
der Horst, because there is a lot of is also making an international
treat. Oil emulsions in particular
interest in the bromide product and contribution to the fight against
present a problem. You cant burn it
this process. We already have a letter environmental pollution.
and you cant dump it.

38 2011
 SIP2 Platform
1 Upending and installation of legs 4 Leg lowering & suction operation

Centrica F3-FA 2 Tow to field 5 Deck lifting

3 Mooring & positioning 6 Barge removed

t +31(0)348 435260, f +31(0)348 435261, info@sptoffshore.com, www.sptoffshore.com

Suction Pile Technology bv is an offshore contractor specialised in suction pile applications.

SPT-068 adv offshore holland 1/2 A4deff.indd 1 08-04-11 13:06

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2011 39
Arie Boer Business Development Manager
at Bakker Sliedrecht:

Our strength
lies in creativity
and innovation
Maintaining complete silence about the project in question
out of respect for the client despite close involvement in
ground-breaking innovations. For Business Development
Manager Arie Boer at Bakker Sliedrecht, an ethical and honest
approach of this kind is a normal day at the office. This is a
code of conduct that is central to all our customer contacts.
We are proud that leading contractors from the Netherlands
and abroad call on us for expert advice. We respond one on
one to their individual wishes and needs. At Bakker Sliedrecht,
accountability and trust are standards that are seen as
guarantees of sustainable success. Only when the customer
gives the green light does Bakker Sliedrecht reveal to the
world its share in advanced, high-tech projects.

Bakker Sliedrecht operates as system integrator in the offshore and

dredging sector, taking in the entire electrical engineering spectrum.
Over a period of many years, the company has been a ground-breaking
player thanks to its in-depth specialist expertise in the design, implemen-
tation and maintenance of electrical engineering installations and systems.
Bakker Sliedrechts broad-based knowledge in the field of maritime
drive and control technology, automation and electrical installation
technology guarantees the efficient and continuous performance of the
resultant installations, many of which delivered on a turnkey basis. Bakker
Sliedrecht enables its clients to improve their performance by deploying
forward-thinking technology, while reducing environmental burdens. At
Bakker Sliedrecht, environmental technology has been a policy spearhead
for a number of years. Through the successful implementation of new
and cost-saving techniques, the company makes an important worldwide
contribution to a cleaner environment.

40 2011
 Business Development Manager Arie Boer.

We always have to be
just that little bit more
creative.

Retractable thruster 2400 kW.

2011 41
The credo at Bakker Sliedrecht is: whatever we
make, it must be reliable and perform perfectly.
Niche market
Arie Boer started his tale with the
statement: We effectively always
operate in a niche market. We are very
close to our customers, and under-
stand their needs and wishes better
than anyone. It is for that reason that
we repeatedly come up with unique
systems, focused exclusively on the
customers intended application. Our
strength lies in creativity and innova-
tion. It is in the genetic makeup of all
our employees to constantly search
for economically attractive lifecycle
solutions that make any vessel
functional and reliable. It is all about
system improvement and product op-
timisation, and it goes without saying
that our engineering department plays
a key role in all these developments.
It is a case of theoretical knowledge
backed up by operational practical
experience. Bakker Sliedrecht operates
departments for drive technology
engineering, automation engineering,
installation technology engineering
and machine technology engineering.
And then there is an element of
mechanics. Boer continued: We also
have a team responsible for installa-
tion technology. They too are con-
stantly focused on finding solutions.
They are hands-on workers with the
guts and the quality needed to make
a rapid turnaround if faced with dif-
ficulties. Within our sector, that sense
of daring is particularly important.
Quality and safety always enjoy high
priority but no solution may ever be
held back by excessive restrictions.
42 2011
Feedback
This constant striving to achieve
improvement is what makes Bakker
Sliedrecht stand out as market leader.
Boer went on: We always have to be
just that little bit more creative than
the competition, by offering creativity
combined with the courage to actu-
ally go the extra mile. Innovations often
take place as an integral part of carrying
out new assignments. Our learning is
done in the field. Our lines for feeding
back technical advances are very short
and direct. We immediately implement
any new findings in the latest design
or while improving existing products.
The people at our engineering depart-
ment have spent years working in
the field. They contribute a wealth of
practical experience that enables us
to not only raise the technology itself
but also its application to a higher
plane. An additional advantage is
that in many cases, Bakker Sliedrecht
fabricates the products it develops in
house. Take for example drive systems
and frequency converters from 10 to
10,000 kW, both air and water-cooled.
Every one of them must be easily ser-
viceable and comprehensible for the
people on board. Because, confirmed
the Business Development Manager,
that is what we are good at. Bakker
Sliedrecht has grown to its current
size thanks to the dredging industry.
Power requirements on dredgers were
constantly rising, but at the same time
had to be ever more manageable.
Those requirements meant that
electronics were needed. We were
involved in that learning curve, right
from the start, particularly when it
came to products that had to be devel-
oped and built specifically for a given
customer. They had to be assembled in
such a way that their functioning and
operation were easily understood by
anyone. Thanks to modern automa-
tion technology, that philosophy now
forms the backbone of our own Vessel
Management System.
The credo at Bakker Sliedrecht is:
whatever we make, it must be reliable
and perform perfectly. In particular
the offshore industry sometimes im-
poses extremely dominant demands,
continued Boer. I have been known
to say to customers: in principle we
can get you to the moon, but there
has to be a reason for going there.
Try to avoid making the technology
on board over-complicated. No matter
how reliable the systems are, at some
point in time there will be a blackout.
And when that happens, the man
operating the installation must be
able to understand it, and if necessary
repair it for himself. Hence our focus
on practical innovations.
Flexible
Bakker Sliedrecht supplies non-vari-
able and variable speed drive systems
with power outputs ranging from a
few kilowatts to many megawatts,
a wide variety of panels capable of
functioning under the most extreme
circumstances, process and production
automation systems ((SCADA, PLC and
Sample of an ECR controldesk.

PC controls, monitor screen and

optic fibre technology and power
electronics), electrical propulsion
systems for main and auxiliary
propulsion, including DP, as well as
bow and stern thrusters, electrical
motors from standard drip-proof IP23
through to entirely sealed customer-
specific underwater motors in IP68
versions, sheet metal and construction
work for control desks and instrument
panels, generator/energy transformers
(three-phase and direct current)
and compact and solidly-built
underwater motors (air, oil and water-
filled) for direct or indirect drive of
pumps, bucket wheels, cutters and
drive systems employed within the
(deepsea) dredging and mining
industry. The reason customers place
their orders with us is not because we
are the cheapest, stated Arie Boer,
without a hint of uncertainty. It is
far more a question of trust between
the various technical teams combined
with the performance we at Bakker
Sliedrecht deliver, according to our
project-based approach and our
willingness to meet our customers
needs, 24/7. Another decisive factor is
our flexibility in terms of deployment.
One excellent example is the way
we supplied and installed not only
drive systems but also a number of
high-voltage switchboards on a
Heerema crane vessel, while in
port in Africa, in just six weeks.
We then completed the cabling
during the crossing from Africa to
South America.

Azimuth thruster with water cooled

frequency drive 2950 kW.

2011 43
 Wheelhouse console with DP system.

China
In recent years, Bakker Sliedrecht
has also set its sights on China,
given the huge potential for orders
involving complex technology and
power electronics. These orders are
mainly for new-building projects in
dredging equipment. Against that
background, the company has
expanded its production capacity by
adding a production location in the
province of Fujian, where air and
water-cooled frequency converters are
manufactured, alongside various other
products. This plant operates in close
collaboration with Huisman, designers
and manufacturers of heavy offshore
construction installations. Within the
same framework, the official opening
of the first Bakker Sliedrecht estab-
lishment in Zhangzhou is soon due
to take place. Opening this new pro-
duction facility in China underlines
the companys continuous effort to
improve its service provision.

44 2011
 Pipelay trialtrip of the
Seven Oceans of Subsea 7.
Shorter lines of communication and
the presence of Chinese staff will
contribute significantly to increased
customer satisfaction.
Given the lightning pace of develop-
ments in China, and the number of
orders won by Bakker Sliedrecht in
that country, an agreement has now
also been established with IHC Parts &
Services for the provision of combined
training for four service operators
originally from China, whose role will
be to commission and maintain electri-
cal systems on board dredging vessels.
Projects
As already stated, Bakker Sliedrecht
produces complete turnkey installa-
tions for a huge variety of offshore
projects, from initial consultancy
through to commissioning, at any
location, anywhere in the world.
As well as new building, one of
the companys specialisations is
the modernisation of existing
installations.
By gearing the latest technology
to the specific operating situation,
the system integrators at Bakker
Sliedrecht are often able to achieve
major capacity and quality im-
provements. On behalf of Subsea 7,
the company recently supplied the
complete electrical installation and
systems on board the Seven Oceans,
the Seven Seas, the Seven Atlantic
and the Seven Pacific. All four vessels
are fully Dynamically Positioned
(DP 2/3). All are equipped with a
6.6 kV integrated redundant electric
power generation system for 21,600
kVA, 6x 3,600 lVA, em power
of 1,875 kVA and an electrical
propulsion system consisting of 3x
2,950 kW fixed pitch propellers in
aft-mounted azimuth nozzles. Two
2,400 kW retractable azimuth thrust-
ers are fitted in the forward section
of the vessels, while one 2,200 kW
transverse thruster is mounted in
a forward tunnel.
The latest showpiece from Bakker
Sliedrecht is the crane vessel
Oleg Strashnov operated by Seaway
Heavy Lifting. With lift heights of up
to 100 m for the 5,000 mt main hook
and 132 m for the 800 mt auxiliary
hook, this state-of-the-art crane
vessel is able to undertake an
impressive range of projects from the
Diesel electric driven Chinese cutterdredger
with submersible e-motors.
dual hook upending of large jackets
to heavy deck installations. The
on-board DP3 system also means
this vessel can be employed for
installing large and heavy subsea
structures, TLP/Spar foundations
and topsides. Also for this unique
vessel, Bakker Sliedrecht supplied the
complete electrical engineering and
installation from energy generation
and distribution via low and high
voltage, electrical propulsion,
frequency converters and switch-
boards, through to cabling, vessel
management system (including DP)
and all of course fully integrated.
Last, but certainly not least, the
electrical engineering specialists
at Bakker Sliedrecht are closely
involved in a truly ground-breaking
development for the special transport
sector. However, you will have to
bear with us for the time being .
Mums the word!
2011 45
Subsea protection
frame for Wintershall
For Multimetaal based in Den Helder, the year 2011 has taken including the fabrication of a number
off to a flying start. The responsible party is operator Wintershall of platform sections for the D15A gas
Noordzee, and their order awarded to the metal construction firm production platform in the Dutch
for the fabrication of a large subsea protection frame. This steel sector of the North Sea. These plat-
structure, known in the business as a dome, is intended for form sections and the accompanying
installation in the K18 block of the Dutch sector of the North Sea. piping were handed over at the end
of January 2011. It was necessary to
enlarge this platform to allow the
Wingate gas field to be connected to
the facilities on board D15A. During
the same period, Multimetaal built a
special boat landing installation and
all the relevant accessories.
This structure was intended for instal-
lation on the Q8 platform operated by
Wintershall in the Dutch sector of
the North Sea.

Multimetaal can also call upon a

group of specialists capable of under-
taking maintenance, repair, installa-
tion and modification work, offshore.
Just like this year, Multimetaal en-
joyed a flying start in 2010, with a
remarkable fabrication order. The or-
der in question involved the extension
of the legs on the jackup platforms
Karlissa-A and Karlissa-B operated
The fabrication of the subsea protection frame for Wintershall by the American company Titan
is currently well underway in the construction hall at Multimetaal. Salvage. In total, twelve legs had to
be extended from 41 to 56 metres. In
addition, on each platform, two legs
The Wintershall frame will eventually weigh a total of 110 tonnes, and will were reinforced with a 26 metre-long
be equipped with a considerable volume of piping made up of duplex steel intermediate section. Following the
elements. The frame itself will have a footprint of 12.5 by 12.5 metres, and lengthening process, the weight of the
an overall height of 8 metres. Fabrication will take place in the companys legs ranged from 100 to 300 tonnes.
construction hall on the Kooypunt industrial estate just outside Den Helder. During this project that had to be
Multimetaal officially moved into these new-built premises in June 2009. carried out under tremendous pres-
Established in 1973, the company has built up an excellent reputation in sure of time, Multimetaal received a
the offshore oil and gas industry, in particular for the fabrication of every follow-up order from Titan Salvage
conceivable type of subsea protection frame. In addition, a range of other for the fabrication of two steel
projects have been completed for this industrial sector over the years. In 2010, structures both 40 metres long, and
for example, various projects were undertaken for GDF SUEZ E&P Nederland, both weighing 40 tonnes.

46 2011

Valve maintenance
As well as carrying out construction
work, Multimetaal are also specialists
in the maintenance of a wide range of
valve types (pressure safety, control,
ball, gate and globe valves). This work
is carried out according to a special
Valve Care Programme. The Mainte-
nance division of the company is an
authorised service point for Severn
Glocon Unival, and as a result is
qualified to carry out repairs on all
types and makes of valves, in the
framework of the Valve Performance
Upgrading concept. Finally,
Multimetaal recently became
European agent and stockholder for
the Canadian Seaweld Corporation.
On behalf of Seaweld, Multimetaal
now supplies fittings, safety adapters,
special lubricants, sealants and
lubricating pumps for valves to the
whole of Europe, excluding the UK.
Specially-trained Valve Pros can even
lubricate the valves on location,
in-line and under pressure.
One further development at the
company is the full-service concept
according to which valves can be
analysed, removed, tested, repaired
and reinstalled. To make this concept
possible, a special test bench of the
make Ventil was recently purchased.
This test bench is equipped with three
clamping tables and is suitable for
the testing of gas, liquid and vacuum
pressure safety valves, in accordance
with the very latest regulations. The
maximum operating pressure for gas
valves is 300 bar and for water 600
bar. At present, Multimetaal employs
a staff of more than 100.
electrical SyStem
integrator
otc HouSton
2-5 may 2011
BootH no. 2531
BaKKer SlieDrecHt, a DeDicateD marine SyStem
integrator WorlDWiDe on tHe moVe
Bakker Sliedrecht has become an international and leading field player in
the world of electrical engineering for marine applications.
We are continuously looking for optimum and innovative solutions, with the
aid of state-of-the-art and conventional electrical and mechanical techniques
by advising, designing and building of:
drive and control systems
automation systems
switchboards and MCCs
control desks
e-motors and generators
cabling / installation
project management
We are specialized in:
diesel-electric propulsion / thruster systems,
including DP systems
submersible motors and techniques
harmonics and FMEA analyses
Bakker Sliedrecht is carrying out world-wide projects turn-key and / or
package based, in offshore, dredging, research vessels, fishing, merchant
shipping, navy, inland shipping.
Bakker Repair is taking care of maintenance, repair and winding of motors,
generators, transformers, in high as well as low voltage.
No ocean too deep, no country too far!
Bakker Sliedrecht Bakker repair B.V. Bakker marine electric
electro industrie B.V. - Zhangzhou co., ltd
P.O. Box 25 P.O. Box 212 Tel.: 86-13806071885
3360 AA Sliedrecht 3360 AE Sliedrecht - Shanghai: HmHc
the Netherlands the Netherlands Tel.: 86-2154253892
Tel.: +31 (0)184 436666 Tel.: +31 (0)184 410555 - Dalian - carich marine eng.
Tel.: +86-41182529217
www.bakkersliedrecht.com
2011 47
Visionary vision from management
of Tideway Offshore Contractors

Foresight is
the essence of
government
Foresight is the essence of government. This age-old adage not
only applies to politics, but certainly also to business, specifically
market leaders wishing to further strengthen their leading position.
Successful and innovative businesses have to be willing to look
to the future; after all, the future is often far less uncertain than is
generally assumed. In taking strategic decisions, the starting point
should not be uncertainties but certainties. One business that
excels in such forward vision and presents itself as a dedicated
partner for the offshore industry is Tideway Offshore Contractors
based in Breda, the Netherlands.

The management of this company that specialises in constructing landfalls for

oil and gas pipelines and is a leading world class contractor in the high-precision
rock dumping market, believes that forward vision creates the possibility of
responding flexibly to a range of future market situations. Our forward vision
is based on our own independent way of thinking. It is that fact that enables
us to move in time with economic and social changes, explained director
Hugo B. Bouvy. Partly as a consequence, Tideway experienced almost no
negative effects from the recent global economic downturn. As a full service
provider for the oil and gas industry, Tideway Offshore Contractors is now
benefiting from long-term investments that are paving the way for the post-
recession revival. A new 500 million plus euro investment programme,
including the fabrication of the state-of-the-art fallpipe rock dumping vessel
Flintstone, is further proof that Bouvy, who shares directorship of the company
with Lucas Bols, has indestructible confidence in the future. As a result, Tideway
is in a position to draw up strategic plans that offer sufficient flexibility.

Partnership
As Bouvy explained: At this very moment, the price of oil may not yet be where
many operators would like it to be, but are definitely at a level where new field
development plans can be carried out. That of course includes the laying of
subsea pipelines, not only for oil and gas but also for electrical networks.
New technologies are being introduced or crossbred from high-tech industries
to provide more capabilities in the offshore/energy market. Analysts advise
that this decade may offer the best opportunity for making new investments in
pipeline infrastructure. We at Tideway strongly believe in partnerships with our
clients, and in that respect we are more than prepared to meet their future needs
for protection and stabilisation of pipelines, and dredging activities.

48 2011
Before the arrival of the Flintstone,
the depth record achieved by
Tideways own Rollingstone was
set at 987 metres.

Worldwide
Work in the oil and gas sector is
spread all over the world, mostly in
remote areas. This fact is creating ris-
ing demand for faster vessels that can
operate at great depths, underwater.
Launched in 1991, Tideway,
a subsidiary of the Belgian company
Dredging, Environmental and Marine
Engineering (DEME) Group, focuses
its activities on subsea pipelines and
cables. Its clients are the largest
energy companies in the world. As
previously explained, the company
is an expert in landfall construction,
scour protection and pre and post-
dredging for the support of pipelaying
operations. Its contracts are from all
around the world. The company is
involved in landfall constructions for
projects from the North Sea to the
Far East, for example ranging from
Zeepipe, Europipe and Nord Stream
in Northern Europe to the Malampaya
gas pipeline in the Philippines, the
Dhirubhai 1 & 3 Field Development
Project in India, the Balearic Pipeline
Project and Medgaz in Spain,
the Deep Panuke Development in
Canada and the Bombax gas pipeline
in Trinidad.

2011 49

Flintstone
As an obvious statement of its confi-
dence in continuing offshore business,
Tideway recently took delivery of the
brand-new next generation fallpipe
rock dumping vessel Flintstone, from
the Sembawang Shipyard in Singa-
pore. The 19,000-tonne Flintstone is
the third and largest fallpipe vessel
to join the Tideway fleet, after the
11,500-tonne Rollingstone and the
17,500-tonne Seahorse. Thanks to
its ice class notation, the DP II class
Flintstone is fully prepared for work
in the Arctic environment. Accord-
ing to Hugo B. Bouvy, the 130 million
euro investment will boost the oil &
gas activities at Tideway, as trends in
the market have made deepsea pipe-
laying and deepsea pipeline protec-
tion inevitable. The search for deeper
Trends have made deepsea pipelaying and pipeline protection inevitable.
50 2011
offshore oilfields in Brazil, Western
Africa, the Gulf of Mexico and the
Arctic region is offering new, unfore-
seen opportunities. The green design
Flintstone was fabricated according
to the Lloyds Environmental Protec-
tion Code and has a cruising speed of
15 knots. This capability makes the
vessel a valuable asset, since the run
to and from the quarry is less time-
consuming leaving more operational
time on the project site. The capability
to place rock with high accuracy at
an exceptional depth of no less than
2,000 m is a competitive advantage in
itself, made possible thanks to a new
generation aluminium fallpipe that
allows smarter and faster assembly,
a highly-sophisticated active heave
compensated ROV, and state-of-the-
art survey equipment. Before the
Artist impression of the new
Flintstone.
arrival of the Flintstone, the depth
record achieved by Tideways own
Rollingstone was set at 987 metres.
A first assignment has already been
secured for the Flintstone with the
Russian company Sevmash, for the
installation of scour protection around
the Prirazlomnaya platform in the
Barents Sea, to the southwest of No-
vaya Zemlya.
Green
We did not only have this green
vessel built from the point of view of
corporate social responsibility; our
own interests and those of our clients
also played a decisive role. The new
vessel is expected to generate serious
savings in fuel consumption, sug-
gested Bouvy. But also take a look
at the measures being introduced by
 Artist impression of the Inclined
Fallpipe System (IFPS).
European governments. Norway in the
future intends to impose penalties on
any operator working in Norwegian
waters with a dirty ship in terms of
the NOx emissions produced by the
vessel. The Dutch government is also
considering introducing a similar
system of penalties.
Precision work
Another innovative development at
Tideway that has attracted much
attention is the Inclined Fallpipe
System (IFPS), specially designed and
developed by the engineering team at
Tideway, at the request of the Canadi-
an oil company EnCana Corporation.
EnCana has awarded Single Buoy
Moorings (SBM) the order to install
a gas platform in the Deep Panuke
field, located about 175 kilometres off
the coast of Nova Scotia. SBM will
own and operate the production field
centre (PFC) which it will lease to
EnCana, for the lifeline of the project.
The PFC will be fitted with topsides
production equipment, a flare tower
and an accommodation block. Stand-
ing in 44 metres of water, the facility
will be fixed to the seabed for the life
of the field. The platform, fabricated
in Abu Dhabi, is supported by legs
and those legs are in turn mounted
on four large spudcans, placed on the
seabed, explained Bouvy.
Although the water here is in fact
relatively shallow, the platform is in
an area prone to what is known as
perfect storms. The waves in the win-
ter are simply enormous, and EnCana
is afraid that currents on the seabed
will cause scour to take place between
the spudscans, as a result of which the
stability of the platform can no longer
be guaranteed. To prevent this hap-
pening, rock will have to be dumped
around the spudscans. Unfortunately,
this task is made almost impossible by
the inaccessibility of the location. In
the past, the solution would have been
sought in the use of side dumpers.
In this case, however, precision is an
absolute requirement, so we developed
and conceptualised the Inclined
Fallpipe System. Detailed engineering
was undertaken by KCI in Schiedam,
and the entire system was fabricated
at Iemants NV in Arendonk, Belgium.
Necessity
The IFPS is characterised by separate
closed fallpipe sections that are as-
sembled in modules on the afterdeck
of a fallpipe vessel. The system then
protrudes from the bow of the ship
in the form of an inclined pipe, at an
angle. Normally speaking, rocks are
dumped vertically through a pipe di-
rectly below the vessel, via the moon-
pool. In this solution, the rocks are
placed in a 45 metre-long pipe with
a diameter of 1.20 metres, at which
point the rocks are placed at an angle,
2011 51
 Rock placements are executed
with extremely high precision,
even at very large water depths.
An active heave-compensated
Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV)
is fixed below the fall pipe,
allowing for precision steering.

in the precise location below the

platform, in an extremely controlled
manner. Using the IFPS, Tideway is
able to carry out rock dumping work
in a seastate of up to 1.5 to 2 metres
significant. This represents a degree
of limitation, but is not so strange,
given the fact that the work has to be
carried out very close to the platform.
Bouvy went on: In total, Tideway
will be working on this project for
45 days. The IFPS will only actually
be deployed for 10 of those days. In
other words, we have come up with a
remarkable innovation that required
several million euro worth of invest-
ment, but that will only be deployed
for a short period. On the other hand,
that is typical of the offshore indus-
try. For operators, innovation is an
absolute necessity if oil or gas is to
be produced in deep water, or in areas
subject to poor weather conditions.
Contractors unable to fulfil those in-
novative requirements quite simply
lose out. For the Deep Panuke project,
Tideway has been willing to deliver
that innovative service, although we
know in advance that on this project
alone, we would not earn back the al-
ready mentioned out of pocket costs.

The capability to place rock with

high accuracy at an exceptional
depth of no less than 2,000 m is
a competitive advantage in itself.

52 2011
The innovative multifunctionality of our
vessels will undoubtedly serve the company
in future deepsea mining projects
Wind energy
Against that background, in develop-
ing the IFPS, the engineering team at
Tideway of course considered other
possible applications. The IFPS is for
example an ideal tool for installing
scour protection for offshore wind
farms. For the same market segment,
Tideway in the past developed a
so-called levelling tool. Suspended
beneath the ROV, this tool is capable
of creating smooth levelled areas of
rock. The levelling tool has already
been deployed by Tideway on the
Thornthon Bank wind farm project
off the coast of Belgium, where a
perfectly smooth seabed was required,
on which to install the concrete foun-
dations. The tool was also used for the
Walney offshore wind farm project in
the Irish Sea.
New markets
Tideway views the laying of power
cables as another new market. Our
first two rock dumpers are in fact
both conversions, continued Bouvy.
Originally, they were both DP2
vessels, with a massive free deck,
ideal for cable laying. During the
conversion work, we always kept at
the back of our mind the possibility
that the rock dumping market could at
some point become saturated. If that
happens, it is a simple matter for us
to reconvert our existing ships for the
cable-laying market. We already have
sufficient knowledge of that market
in-house, accrued in the implemen-
tation of the already mentioned
projects. And we have recently won
the order to lay all the cables for the
Thornton Wind Farm Project Phase 2.
Preparations for that work are
now fully underway. The project,
including the trenching, is due to start
this summer and will be concluded in
the summer of 2012. The innovative
multifunctionality of the vessels in the
Tideway fleet will undoubtedly also
serve the company in future deepsea
mining projects. In particular in Ocea-
nia, there are huge deposits of for ex-
ample copper, zinc, gold and silver, on
the seabed. Bouvy allowed his creative
and visionary mind free rein. It will
probably take another 5 to 10 years,
but those sources of raw materials are
bound to be exploited. There is no
getting around it. And if you already
operate a vessel with a pipe that can
be lowered to a depth of 2000 metres,
all you need to do is attach a cutting
and suction device to it, and you have
a mining ship.
For us it will be like turning the world
upside down. At present our role is
to lower rocks onto the seabed. In the
future, we see ourselves excavating
DEME (the parent company of Tideway)
in collaboration with IHC Merwede recently
established the company OceanflORE with
the aim of specialising in deepsea mining.
undersea minerals, and bringing them
to the surface. Another element is that
our ships can also offer considerable
storage capacity. We are already
hard at work developing precisely
these systems, and everything is
being done on our own initiative. It is
developments of this kind that make
working for Tideway so exciting
and appealing.
To actually give form to this develop-
ment, DEME (the parent company
of Tideway) in collaboration with
IHC Merwede recently established the
company OceanflORE with the aim
of specialising in deepsea mining.
OceanflORE intends to concentrate
on minerals and metals located on
the seabed, at a depth of up to 3 kilo-
metres, above all in areas where there
is much volcanic activity and there-
fore plenty of craters.
2011 53
Keppel Verolme offers innovative
and cost-effective solutions

Building
excellence
for complex
projects
Backed by an ideal location, excellent facilities, a highly-skilled
and dedicated workforce as well as the integrated experience
and expertise of its parent company Keppel Offshore & Marine
Group, Netherlands-based Keppel Verolme offers innovative
and cost-effective solutions to its customers.

Over the years, the Company has built up a strong track record in dry
docking, repairs, modifications, conversions and constructions of semisub-
mersibles, jackups and other mobile offshore units. Its history dates back
to 1954 when the yard was established by the Dutch shipbuilder Cornelis
Verolme. After the closure of the newbuilding division of Verolme in 1980,
the yard continued under the name Verolme Botlek as a repair yard for
the shipping and offshore industries. In 2002, Keppel Offshore & Marine
acquired Verolme Botlek and renamed it Keppel Verolme.

Complex
Harold Linssen, Managing Director of Keppel Verolme, shared: With a
strong heritage, we have established a good reputation in the interna-
tional market for reliability, solid project execution and commitment to
safety. Our unique selling point is that we can manage complex offshore
construction, conversion and maintenance projects well. All these ex-
plain why our regular clients such as Transocean, Ensco, Rowan, Seafox,
Allseas, Saipem, Stena, Maersk and Heerema keep returning to Keppel
Verolme with their major projects.
In recent months, its ability to meet market demands and deliver prom-
ises to customers has been reinforced with the completion of upgrade and
repair jobs for Swiss-based Allseas pipelay vessel, Lorelay and UK-based
Transoceans semisubmersible drilling rig, Paul B. Loyd, Jr.
The job scope for Lorelay involved replacing two existing main thrusters
with more powerful units, equipping the pipe supporting stinger with new
roller box guides and upgrading the wire winch system. Work done for
Paul B. Loyd included an extensive painting programme, installation of
two new thrusters and a new crane, overhaul of anchor chain winches and
equipments, as well as upgrading the galley and locker room.

54 2011
 We can manage
complex offshore
construction,
conversion and
maintenance
projects well

The semi-submersible rig

Paul B. Loyd, jr. is in Rotterdam
for maintenance.

2011 55

Ideal location
Harold Linssen added: Located close
to the oil fields of Scotland and
Norway, and with direct access to the
North Sea, Keppel Verolme is nestled
in an ideal location for shipyards. In
addition, having one of the largest
drydock of Europe, the yard can
accommodate any seagoing vessel and
floating offshore unit for maintenance
and modifications or conversions.
of emergencies. This is the second
MOAB contract that Keppel Verolme
has secured to date. The first MOAB,
an unmanned gas compression
platform, was delivered to UK-based
customer Perenco in 2005.
Efficiency
As Keppel Verolme seeks to become
one of the leading suppliers for trans-
former and foundation platforms for
offshore wind turbines, the Rotterdam
shipyard has established a research
and development centre in 2010 so
that it can further its technology
collaboration with the Keppel
Offshore & Marine Technology Centre
in Singapore.
Looking ahead, Keppel Verolme hopes
to further synergise and drawn upon
Keppel Offshore & Marine Groups
research and development expertise to
develop more robust solutions for the
offshore wind energy market. It will
also continue to strengthen its project
management and execution capabili-
ties which will enable the shipyard
to eliver its complex projects more
efficiently, so as to stay ahead of the
game.

Leveraging its forte in turning around

complex projects, Keppel Verolme
secured a contract in March 2010 to
build a Mobile Offshore Application
Barge (MOAB) for a German customer,
Global Tech 1 Offshore Wind GmbH
(formerly Wetfeet Offshore), to be
deployed in a wind farm located in
the German Exclusive Economic
Zone of the North Sea.
This platform will host the trans-
formers and high voltage switchgears
to collect and convert electricity
generated by the wind turbines for
delivery to Germanys national power
grid. It is also equipped with critical
control systems to serve as a backup
power supply for the wind farm in case

The 33/155 KV MOAB Transformer

Substation is the first of its kind to
build for the offshore wind industry.
When fully operational in 2013,
the offshore wind park can deliver
400 MW through 80 5-MW wind
turbines.

56 2011
Heerema Fabrication
Group awarded
Centrica York platform
Heerema Hartlepool, one of the three fabrication locations of Remco van Gilst, VP Business Develop-
Heerema Fabrication Group (HFG), has been awarded the EPCI ment and Sales of Heerema Fabrication
(Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation) contract Group says: This is already the third
of the 2,750 tonnes York platform destined for the York Field project awarded to HFG since the
Development gasfield in the UK Continental Shelf. contract award by Centrica of the F3-
FA self-installing platform early 2009.
The good relationship with our client
Centrica and the ongoing investments
of Centrica for the UK sector of the
North Sea create an excellent oppor-
tunity for our fabrication facility in
Hartlepool for continued employment
conditions and additional supply-chain
jobs in the region. This new contract
together with the ongoing construction
work of the 1,100 tonnes Ensign plat-
form will secure jobs until mid 2012.

Based on Centricas strategy to

strengthen its position in the future
energy supplies of the UK and subse-
quent future projects we look forward
to continuing our relationship with
Artist impression of the our client Centrica. We are convinced
Centrica York platform. that our project management expertise
and capabilities can create additional
At Heerema Hartlepool the construction work of the 1,300 tonnes topsides and value to Centrica and it would be our
1,450 tonnes jacket will be started in April next. The topsides will measure 20 pleasure to contribute to their ambitious
metres in length, 15 metres in width and 16 metres in height. The jacket with a goals, continues Tino Vinkesteijn,
height of 69 metres and a footprint of 30 x 20 metres will be installed in a water Chief Commercial Officer of HFG.
depth of approximately 43 metres. The transport and installation of Centricas York Steve Kemp, Centrica Energy Up-
platform has been awarded to our sister division Heerema Marine Contractors. streams Regional Director for the
The York platform is an unmanned facility with a tie back to Centricas Southern North Sea, says: York is an
Easington gas terminal via a 34 km (21.25 miles) 16 inch pipeline. The York exciting new development for Centrica
Field Development will exploit gas reservoirs in the Southern North Sea of the Energy Upstream as we continue
UK Continental Shelf, approximately 35 kilometres North-East of Easington. to invest in the North Sea. We are
Currently at our Hartlepool yard the fabrication work continues of another delighted to continue our support of
Centrica project, the 1,100 tonnes Ensign platform. This Seaharvester type of UK business by working with Heerema
platform consists of a topsides of 600 tonnes and a 500 tonnes jacket, for which Fabrication Group to build the platform
our engineering company HFG Engineering has executed the design work. It is in Hartlepool, helping to secure jobs
expected that the Ensign platform will be ready for installation in June 2011. in the area.

2011 57
Allard-Europe: one of the most innovative steel and iron foundries

Specialist in specialities
Allard-Europe describes itself as the specialist in complex and/or high-quality casting work, but
in response to an entirely logical request for a summary of the product range, CEO Jef Dijckmans
replied laconically: When it comes down to it, we dont have any products of our own. What we
do have is practically unlimited know-how when it comes to complex casting products, in more
than a hundred different materials, mostly low to high-alloy cast steels, but also white cast irons
for typical wear-resistant applications. The unique products or small production series we produce
are generally developed by an external engineering firm. We then carry out the often unique
casting work based on our own internal engineering and simulations.

Because specialisation is effectively load and working conditions, we

CEO Jef Dijckmans.
the core business, Allard-Europe
continuously succeeds in breaking
through the barriers of the impossible,
and supplying high-quality castings.
For every casting question, the
company goes in search of a suitable
casting solution, via co-engineering
and via co-makership. They are niche
players on a broad playing field of
often complementary sectors, their
processes and applications, materials
and weights. In short, Excellence in
Casting.
Mik Doms, responsible at Allard-Europe
for simulations and engineering,
explained: Our ultimate goal is to
raise casting to a higher level and to
turn the art of casting into a science!
Hence our striving for sustainable
implementations and developments.
Our business is managed exclusively
by technicians, many of them engi-
neers with a guaranteed passion for
metallurgy, with feeling for welding
and for materials. We are used to
critically examining the geometry
of a casting. It is specifically in that
respect that Allard-Europe stands out
from so many others. Our know-how
and knowledge are tremendous. At
Allard-Europe, the customer is always
the central point of focus, and much
attention is paid to ensuring the right
choice of material. By comparing and
contrasting different materials, on the
basis of the application, mechanical
are able to offer our customers the
perfect advice. Our intensive contacts
with a large range of national and
international academic specialists
and fellow professionals are then of
crucial importance. It is precisely that
independence that enables Allard-
Europe to take up an objective but
deliberately-chosen position.
References
Allard-Europe is certainly no stranger
to the international offshore and
dredging industry. Its list of references
features such household names as
Atlas Copco, Andritz Hydro, Heer-
ema, Huisman, Vryhof Ankers, IHC
Hydrohammer, IHC Merwede, Damen,
Boskalis, Deme, Jan de Nul, Van Oord
and Tideway. The company is able
to cast steel qualities from non-alloy
right through to high-alloy varieties
for a huge selection of applications
including nodes, sheaths, crane hooks,
hinge points, cover flanges, chain
pulleys, tensioners, pump housings,
impellers, cutter heads, double-walled
pipes, suction mouths and spud
points. Specifically for the dredging
sector, wear-resistant materials have
been developed including Alladur 400,
Alladur 500, Alladur 600, TGS3, TGS5
(H) and TGS7(H) (HH). For the offshore
industry, one of the companys spe-
cialities is the casting of crane hooks
with a lifting capacity of between 800
and 2500 tonnes. For this application,

58 2011

too, a special material was developed,
TGS750-40. Peter Burdack, the man
responsible for commercial activities,
declared: Dijckmans likes to be
hooked up! Even so, not every crane
hook ordered is sent directly to the
steel and iron foundry in Turnhout.
This particular application involves
a field of tension between forging
and casting, he explained. It is very
much a question of the clients prefer-
ence. We, or perhaps more specifically
the buyers, know the precise financial
turning point, but nonetheless there
are market parties that prefer forging.
Even if it costs them (much) more
money. Forging is a dynamic process
in which hammering as it were dis-
torts and compresses the granules. At
a certain moment, however, a forged
piece becomes so large that instead of
a 1,000-tonne hammer, a hammer of
more than 10,000 tonnes is needed.
A single blow with a hammer of that
size feels like an earthquake, and
there is no country in the world with
an area where that sort of process is
accepted. From a technical point of
view, therefore, forging does have its
limits. In casting, the application of
such gigantic forces is entirely un-
necessary, or at least the forces are
static, to compensate for the immense
upward forces generated by the liquid
column built up in the liquid phase
during casting. Therein lies the differ-
ence, but we are pleased to leave the
final decision to the market.
Trust
One loyal customer in this sector is
the Dutch crane designer/specialist
Huisman, based in Schiedam. On behalf
of Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC),
a world-leading marine contractor in
the offshore oil and gas industry,
Huisman recently engineered a
4,000-tonne crane. Allard-Europe is
responsible for casting the parts for
the bearing ring. As Jef Dijckmans ex-
plained: Within this innovative proj-
ect, Huisman are the engineers and we
are the production company. Every-
thing is decided and implemented in
close consultation. The raw material
is selected according to the required
mechanical specifications and agree-
ments with the classification bureau.
Huisman has access to everything
we do and we can look behind the
scenes at Huisman. It is purely a ques-
tion of trusting one another implic-
itly. Huisman fully understands our
competences and respects our added
value within their own success. From
a technical production point of view,
we are therefore given carte blanche.
It is a source of pride for me that we
enjoy that kind of relationship with
an expert company like Huisman.
For the outside world it may not
seem as if much is happening, but
the things we do here are truly
spectacular. A casting of this kind
is not simply a question of filling a
mould with sand. It calls for a real
2011 59
body of fundamental engineering
skill, and there has to be a casting
concept before the casting method can
even be determined. Each product has
its own ideal casting shape with its
own risers and its own casting system,
let alone the individual functions. Our
employees know exactly what they
are doing. In their own fields, every
single one is an expert technician.
And that is what puts us right at the
top of the list of foundries. In the end,
it is all about the quality of our
finished product, wherever possible
with the ultimate finishing processes.
Investments
Since its establishment in 1920, Allard-
Europe has been firmly anchored in
the Belgian region of De Kempen.
Following a series of mergers and an
important management buyout in
1996, the starting signal was given
in 2002 for an initial ambitious and
successful investment programme
worth over 4 million euro. The objec-
tive was to make up the gap between
the company and the world leaders!
In order to confirm and underline this
market-leading position, a second
round of investments worth just under
20 million euro was announced in
2008. This will be concluded by the
end of 2012. The investment involves
renovations and new-building projects
throughout the entire plant, from
pattern making and storage through
to machining and further optimised
quality control.
The pattern making shop was consid-
erably expanded and the storage and
management of all patterns further
improved. In the modern foundry,
with four induction melting furnaces,
an increase in melt capacity was
For the outside world it may not seem as if much is happening,
but the things we do here are truly spectacular.
60 2011
achieved to allow volumes to be
melted of between 500 kg and more
than 37 tonnes. Thanks to a tech-
nically-smart approach, almost 50
tonnes of melted weight per unit can
be casted (the unit weights that can
be achieved range from between 26
and a maximum of 35 tonnes, clean
weight depending on shape and alloy).
The size of the forming zone was
doubled, and a new mobile 60-tonnes
sand mixer was installed. In addition,
heavier-duty overhead cranes (up to
80 tonnes) were installed, and the
storage area for scrap and alloying
elements is due to be expanded.
In the fettling shop, the thermal
treatment furnaces can be heated
to around 1200 degrees Celsius.
The ergonomics in the fettling shop
were improved to ensure employee
welfare, and the quality service is to
be equipped with additional marking-
out/measuring tables alongside the
already existing measuring modules
from Metronor and Gom, together
with an additional area for Non
Destructive Testing.
There is also a new machining work-
shop, equipped with modern CNC-
controlled machinery and a variety of
machining options including vertical
turning and boring up to a diameter
of 10 metres. Post-processors have
been installed on a number of these
machines, for converting the CAM
data. For the machining processing,
an entirely new building was erected,
in which alongside the CNC-controlled
machines and machining facilities, a
new vertical turning and boring mill
with a turning circle of 4.7 metres
(provided with a spindle and double
column design) will be installed,
together with a new 5-axle boring
and milling machine, with a working
range of 13 metres in length and a
working height of 5 metres.
With the purchase of an Eltra ONH-
2000 and CS-800 in the middle of last
year, Allard-Europe has also consider-
ably expanded its chemical analysis
capabilities. The devices supplement
the existing Spectrolab optical emis-
sion spectrometer (OES) by offering
more accurate analysis of C, S, N,
O and H. This increased accuracy is
required because of the ever growing
demands imposed on high-strength
structural steel and the increasing
demand for stainless steel. Unlike
the OES that operates on the basis of
plasma created in an electrical arc,
measurements using the ONH-2000 and
CS-800 are based on the analysis of
gases released following incineration
of the sample. The elements are then
quantified via IR or measurement of
the thermal conductivity of the com-
bustion gases. As a result, the samples
need not be electrically conductive.
This makes it possible to also analyse
raw materials, which eventually
results in a higher quality melt.
Strength
Jef Dijckmans is fully aware that he
and Allard-Europe are operating in a
market based on price. The foundry
no longer needs to prove itself, but
even for its top five customers who
thoroughly understand the added
value offered by Allard-Europe, time
and again it is necessary to deliver
top-class performance to maintain
customer loyalty. It is vital to keep a
close eye on developments, because
every now and then his regular
customers present him with price
quotations from other foundries.
Somewhat morosely, he explained:
I then again launch into my talk
about quality and the guaranteed
quality reliability. We cannot be
compared to other foundries. We are
clearly different! Casting here is not
simply casting. It is a science. The
market needs to know that the qual-
ity standards we impose on our own
work simply cannot be achieved in
low-wage countries. The products
we manufacture are so specific, and
require such a specific approach, that
they also demand specific prices. You
cannot compare our products with
others, pound for pound. Our service
is all about the Total Cost of Buying.
With us you have no worries. A deal
is a deal. And a deadline a deadline.
It is for these same reasons that
Allard-Europe does not respond to
every request for a quotation. As
Dijckmans said: We know our posi-
tion in the sector, and are able to
judge in advance whether or not we
can compete in terms of price. It has
nothing to do with arrogance. We just
know where we stand for. For certain
products, customers are better off in
China. Or Poland. But if they want a
top-of-the-range quality product, then
Allard-Europe is the place to be. You
simply cannot compare our product
with a product made in China. Its
just not possible. Getting people to
understand that fact is no easy task.
You have to tell the market time and
again exactly what the situation is.
And you have to come up with some
convincing arguments. The strength
of Allard-Europe lies in the certainty
our people can provide, the product
knowledge and the durability and
quality of our products. Those are the
rock-solid guarantees we are willing
and able to give.

2011 61
Submarine pipeline installation 30 years
after the first crossing

Trenching by trailing suction hopper

dredger Prins der Nederlanden.

bgdfbndfgz

The Strait of Magellan

pipeline crossing
One of the most challenging pipeline landfall projects of recent
times was completed early 2010: the Strait of Magellan pipeline
crossing in southern Argentina. Despite the extreme conditions,
the multidisciplinary project has been completed within the very
tight deadline of just eight months. This achievement was only
possible thanks to the efforts of the dedicated team, which
numbered around a thousand at its peak, and todays technology.

The project involved the construction of a new, strategically important,

24 natural gas pipeline across the Strait of Magellan, linking Cabo Espritu
Santo in Tierra del Fuego province with Cabo Vrgenes in Santa Cruz
province. The new pipeline was built as an expansion of the existing
San Martn pipeline in an effort by the government to increase gas supplies
from Tierra del Fuego to the Argentinian mainland. The project has been
executed by the two Dutch companies Allseas (pipe lay) and Boskalis Offshore
(pre-trenching, pipe pulls, submarine tie-in and backfilling).

62 2011
Side by side
The new submarine pipeline runs parallel 50 metres west of the existing pipeline
that was built in 1978. The link is the final piece of a significant onshore project
involving the construction of a pipeline stretching thousands of kilometres
to carry the gas recovered from fields in the south to the distribution network Pull-in at northern landfall.
in the north. The Gasoducto Transmagallnico, as the pipeline is called in
Argentina, will transport 18 million cubic metres of gas a day.

During the 30 years that have passed since the previous pipeline crossing
was built, the available tools and technology have changed dramatically and the
installation methods have changed accordingly. The marine installation work of
the new submarine pipeline took about a month, less than a quarter of the time
it took in 1978. Todays capabilities have enabled such shortened construction
periods, enhanced the quality and increased the safety of the people involved.

Pre-trenching
For the pre-trenching of the pipeline the suction pipe of the trailing suction
hopper dredger Prins der Nederlanden was modified to enable dredging to the
required 80 metres water depth. With the nearest port at five hours sailing from
site, additional supplies and spare parts were carried on board.
Pull out at southern landfall.
Equipped with dynamic tracking and positioning, a draghead position control
system as well as high accuracy DGPS and multibeam systems, the Prins der
Nederlanden could precisely control the position and depth of its draghead to
allow accurate dredging. The accuracy and manoeuvrability enabled the vessel
to work extremely close to the shore.

The northern landfall pull-in at Cabo Vrgenes

At the northern landfall a recently built 800 t linear winch system was
installed to accommodate the pull-in of the pipeline from Allseas dynamically
positioned pipe-laying vessel Solitaire. The winch was anchored by three
Boskalis developed anchor moles with a 300 t holding capacity each. After
the pull-in the DPPLV Solitaire laid about 30 kilometres pipeline from Cabo
Vrgenes towards Cabo Espritu Santo, where the pipeline was laid down at
the tie-in point some 6.5 kilometres from the shore.

The southern landfall pull-out at Cabo Espritu Santo

The southern landfall featured a stretch of beach about 1.3 kilometre long,
which would fall dry twice a day at low tides. The pipeline was welded onshore
on a stringing yard into 12 strings of approximately 550 m each.

The design of the pull-out was partly governed by the large tidal range, which
restricted the pulls to the higher levels of the tide. To extend the duration of
the pull windows at high water, 40 pipe rollers of 20 t and 40 t were installed
onshore and on the beach over a length of 1 kilometre. To lower the required
pull-out forces for the 6.5 km long pipeline section, some 300 buoyancy tanks
were fitted to the pipeline providing 1,500 tonnes buoyancy along the pipeline.

2011 63
 800 T linear winch with Solitaire
in background.

From the shore the pipeline was

pulled-out by the Pontra Maris, which
was prepared as a pull barge for this
purpose. The Pontra Maris was fitted
with the same linear winch previously
used for the northern shore pull-in
and an anchoring system to provide
sufficient hold for the 800 t linear
winch as well as accurate positioning
of the barge.

The submarine tie-in

After completion of the pull-out the
relative locations of the two pipeline
ends at the tie-in location were
determined by metrology. Subse-
quently, the spool piece was adjusted
onshore at Cabo Espritu Santo. The
customized spool piece was installed
by divers from Smit Subsea Europe,
operating in two teams of ten divers
from the Pontra Maris, which was
converted during the project into a
diving support barge. Subsequently,
the pipeline was hydrotested, purged, Key figures for the Magellan
cleaned and inspected. The last part
pipeline crossing
of the installation of the pipeline
crossing involved a final survey and
Length of pipeline 37 km
the backfilling of the trench and the
Diameter of pipeline 24
target box by the trailing suction
Wall thickness 15.9 mm
hopper dredger Seaway.
Concrete weight coating 70 to 110 mm
Pipe pull-out 6.5 km
(12 strings of appr. 550 m)
Buoyancy on pipe 310 tanks
of 5 tonne each
Linear winch system 800 tonnes
Spool piece 27 tonnes
Trenching & backfilling 17 km
Seabed intervention 20 km
Tidal range up to 11 metres

64 2011
Dutch pavilion
during OTC 2011

Dutch Pavilion OTC 2011

Bayards SAS Keppel Boskalis Jumbo
Vryhof Huisman

Airborne Allard

A. Hak Biglift

2233
CRC Emc
IHC Damen

Van Dam Bakker

Tideway Mammoet Van Beest Doedijns SPT HSM

Barge
Master Fairstar IRO Hertel

2531
Interdam UOS
Van Oord
2327 2427

Heinen
Stairs Hopman
2625

Heerema

Seatools OSD

Allseas
Amarcon Siri

Marin
Stairs

2517
2317 2617

2011 65

Bakker Sliedrecht Electro Industrie B.V.
P.O. Box 25, 3360 AA Sliedrecht
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)184 436 666
fax +31 (0)184 436 677
mail info@bakker-sl.nl
site www.bakkersliedrecht.com
Bluestream Offshore B.V.
P.O. Box 457, 1780 AL Den Helder
The Netherlands
phone 31 (0)223 63 77 84
fax 31 (0)223 66 86 38
mail commercial@bluestreamoffshore.com
site www.bluestreamoffshore.com
Boskalis Offshore bv
P.O. Box 43, 3350 AA Papendrecht
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)78 696 9011
fax +31 (0)78 696 9571
mail offshore@boskalis.nl
site www.boskalis.com
66 2011
Electrical system integrator
Bakker Sliedrecht has become an international
and leading field player in the world of electrical
engineering for marine applications. We are
continuously looking for optimum and innovative
solutions, with the aid of state-of-the-art and
conventional electrical and mechanical techniques
by advising, designing and building of:
- drive and control systems
- automation systems
- switchboards and MCCs
- control desks
- e-motors and generators
- cabling / installation
- project management
We are specialized in:
- diesel-electric propulsion/thruster systems,
including DP systems
Bluestream Offshore
With a professional team of staff, Bluestream
Offshore provides a wide range of specialist
services through her subsidiaries for the
international oil and gas industry, renewable
energy and maritime sectors from its home
base in Den Helder, the Netherlands.
Diving Services:
Construction & Installation Support, Subsea
Well Intervention, Drilling Support, Field
& Seabed Survey, Non Destructive Testing,
Inspection, Repair & Maintenance.
ROV Services:
Installation Support, Inspection, Repair & Main-
Boskalis Offshore, part of international dredging
and marine contractor Royal Boskalis West-
minster, provides offshore contracting and
engineering activities to upstream oil & gas
clients. Boskalis Offshore focuses on the
following activities:
Pipeline intervention (free span correction,
seabed levelling, pipeline/cable crossing,
stabilisation, protection, thermal insulation)
Platform & wellhead intervention
(foundation, protection, ballasting)
Landfalls & shore approaches (pipe
installation, shallow water earthworks,
civil works, land-water transition)
Decommissioning (platform de-ballasting,
pipeline (de-)burial, drill cuttings
management)
Cables (laying, pipeline/cable crossing,
protection, shore approach, landfall)
OTC Stand 2531
- submersible motors and techniques
- harmonics and FMEA analyses
Bakker Sliedrecht is carrying out world-wide
projects turn-key and/or package based, in
offshore, dredging, research vessels, fishing,
merchant shipping, navy, inland shipping.
Bakker Repair is taking care of maintenance,
repair and winding of motors, generators,
transformers, in high as well as low voltage.
Quality, safety and environment conditions
constantly have our attention. Our quality
systems of management and services fully
comply with ISO 901 en VCA standards.
No ocean too deep, no country too far!
OTC Stand 2531
tenance, Drilling Support & Site Survey, Salvage
Support, Trenching Support, Specialized Tooling.
Rope Access Services:
Installation Support, Maintenance, Repair,
Inspections, Construction Support,
Non Destructive Testing.
Quality assurance
Bluestream Offshore is ISO 9001:2008 and VCA/
SCC** certified. Bluestream is also member of
IMCA (International Marine Contractors
Association), IRATA (International Rope Access
Trade Association) and is registered with FPAL
(First Point Assessment Ltd.).
OTC Stand 2625
The principal services of Boskalis Offshore
comprise: Pre-sweeping, (deepwater) dredging,
pre-trenching, post-trenching, subsea rock
installation and sand placement. Boskalis
Offshore sets new records with regard to for
instance optimisation in the design of rock
protection, dynamic scour protection and
deepwater dredging. Boskalis Offshore is
backed by the dense global network of
the Royal Boskalis Westminster group.
Including its share in partnerships, Boskalis
has around 14,000 employees and operates
in 65 countries across six continents. Boskalis
has a versatile fleet of over 1,100 units,
including fallpipe vessels, trailing suction
hopper dredgers, cutter suction dredgers,
backhoe dredgers and grab dredgers. Boskalis
Offshore is ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS
18001 certified and a member of IMCA.

Burdock - Head office
Treubstraat 15e, 2288 EG Rijswijk
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)70 319 1990
fax +31 (0)70 319 3600
mail info@burdock.com
site www.burdock.com
Damen Shipyards Group
P.O. Box 1, 4200 AA Gorinchem
The Netherlands ferries and short sea cargo vessels. We also have
phone +31 (0)183 63 99 11
fax +31 (0)183 63 21 89
mail info@damen.nl
site www.damen.nl
Fugro Survey B.V.
P.O. Box 128, 2260 AC Leidschendam
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0) 70 311 1800
fax +31 (0) 70 311 1838
mail FSBVinfo@fugro.com
site www.fugro.com
Burdock brings highly educated specialists and
professionals into contact with clients who
operate in the industrial, technical and financial
world. Burdock possesses the hands-on
experience needed in day to day operation.
We speak your language, we understand your
challenges. Burdock was founded in Delft in
1991. Since then, our head office has moved to
Rijswijk (South-Holland) and we have become
one of Europes largest independent organisa-
tions offering consultancy and management
services. Our network is international with
offices worldwide.
Professionals from Burdock are motivated
and well educated specialists with extensive
The Damen Shipyards Group has developed
from a single shipyard in 1927 and has grown
to over 30 shipyards and related companies.
The Damen Shipyards Group serves a global
market and is considered to be the market leader
in the maritime sectors in which it operates.
Damen Shipyards Gorinchem is an independent
member of the Damen Shipyards Group.
Continuous product development has resulted
in a series-building program based on different
types of tugs, workboats, high-speed craft, fast
cost effective facilities for one-off vessels.
Damen vessels are used in many sectors of
operation by a variety of customers such as,
dredging companies, shipping companies, towing
and salvage companies, port authorities,
government organizations, coast guards, etc.
FUGRO OFFSHORE SURVEY (182)
Fugro Offshore Survey represents individual
Fugro companies worldwide, working together
to provide the breath and depth of service that
our international customer base demands.
Fugro collects and interprets data related to
the earths surface and the soils and rocks
beneath and provides advice, for purposes
related to the offshore wind, oil and gas and the
construction industry. Fugro operates around
the world at sea, on land and from the air,
using professional, highly-specialised staff and
advanced technologies and systems.
Fugro Offshore Survey specializes in the
provision of a range of positioning and naviga-
tion services, both on the surface and subsea,
for survey and engineering operations at sea;
experience in their own sector. From execution
to services on management level, they will
support organisations with their knowledge and
expertise. In our provision of services, safety,
quality and continual improvement are central.
Burdocks objective is supplying added value
by identifying talent and specialists for your
organisation and making them available to you.
We strive for long-term relationships, both with
you, as clients, and our specialists. Your contact
at Burdock will have knowledge and experience
in the industrial, technical or financial world.
As a result, your needs will be assessed quickly
and quick connections can be made in order to
find a solution for your capacity issue.
OTC Stand 2625
Probably, best known is our Technical Co-
operation Service which not only involves the
supply of vessels as pre-fabricated shipbuilding
kits to overseas customers, but also the equip-
ment and training to assemble them.
The Damen Services division prides itself in
providing a comprehensive range of maritime
services to our clients. Designed and packaged
for maximum benefit our services extend from
warranty work on our vessels, product support
and parts supply to vessel delivery and marine
related project management.
- Regional services teams.
- World-wide infrastructure
- After-sales warranty
- Service Projects
- Parts Supply
- Vessel delivery
OTC Stand 5023
investigation of shallow marine geology that is
the basis for drilling hazard analysis; pipeline
& cable route surveys, and also supplies survey
& ROV for construction support services, from
platform & pipelay support to installation of
subsea field developments.
- Desktop and Feasibility Studies
- Positioning Services
- Construction Support Services
- Geophysical Surveys
- Pipeline Route Surveys
- Environmental Surveys
- ROV Intervention, Survey and Inspection
- Oceanography and Meteorology
2011 67

00%
100%
10%
10%
95%
00%
00%
5%
Heerema Fabrication Group
P.O. Box 58, 3330 AB Zwijndrecht
The Netherlands
phone 31 (0)78 625 0425
fax 31 (0)78 619 4069
mail info@hfg-heerema.com
site www.hfg-heerema.com
Huisman
P.O. Box 150, 3100 AD Schiedam
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)10 245 2222
fax +31 (0)10 245 2220
mail info@huisman-nl.com
site www.huismanequipment.com
IHC Offshore & Marine B.V.
P.O. Box 5, 3370 AA Hardinxveld-
Giessendam, The Netherlands
phone +31 (0) 184 67 73 00
fax +31 (0) 184 67 73 01
mail info-O&M@ihcmerwede.com
site www.ihcmerwede.com
68 2011
Heerema Fabrication Group (HFG) is a leading
contracting group which specializes in the
engineering and fabrication of large and
complex offshore structures to the global oil
and gas and energy industry. HFG distinguishes
itself by offering an integrated engineering
and fabrication approach, allowing execution
of EPC(I) projects to be delivered on time and
within budget.
HFG owns three large fabrication facilities,
situated around the North Sea, a workshop
facility in Poland and a multi-disciplined facility
engineering company in the Netherlands.
Huisman is a globally operating company
with extensive experience in the design and
manufacturing of heavy construction equipment
for leading offshore companies. Our equipment,
varying from stand-alone to highly engineered
and integrated systems is designed and
manufactured under own management,
from concept to deliver
Cranes: Delivery of customised cranes,
range > 100mt : Mast Cranes Pedestal
Cranes Knuckleboom Cranes Land Cranes
Floating Cranes Gantry Cranes Wind We are internationally known for our technical
Turbine Installation Cranes
Pipelay: Turnkey delivery of pipelay systems:
Seven Seas: Flex, Reel & J-lay CSO Deep
Blue: Flex, Reel & J-lay Seven Oceans: Reel-lay
Pertinacia: Flex-lay Balder: Deepwater J-lay
Saipem 7000: Deepwater J-lay Sapura 3000:
Deepwater S-lay Borealis: Deepwater S-lay
The offshore division of IHC Merwede is
focussed on the continuous development,
design and construction of reliable, custom-
built assets for the specialist oil and gas market.
It is a low-risk, one-stop shop for the best design
consultancy, product offering and finance package
supplied to customers in the offshore market.
IHC Merwede has in-house expertise for
engineering and manufacturing innovative
vessels and advanced equipment, as well as
providing life-cycle support. Its integrated
systematic approach has helped to develop
optimum product performance and long-term
business partnerships. Due to its expertise and
strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers
and sub-contractors, IHC Merwede is able to take
OTC Stand 2317
The fabrication locations in Holland (Vlissingen
and Zwijndrecht) and the United Kingdom
(Hartlepool) are all equipped with large
prefabrication and assembly halls and rank
amongst the largest indoor construction
facilities in Europe. All locations are large
enough to handle several large projects
simultaneously. Units fabricated by HFG range
from jackets, topsides and modules for leading
oil & gas and energy companies.
The engineering company HFG Engineering
is specialized in fabrication-driven
engineering and practical designs to offer clients
an integrated engineering and
fabrication approach.
OTC Stand 2327
Aegir: Deepwater J-lay and Reel-lay
Drilling: Land and Offshore Containerised
Drilling Unit Drillships Well Intervention
Systems Semi-submersible Drilling Rigs
Winches: Anchor Handling & Towing Winches
Deepwater Installation & Mooring Systems
Heave Compensation Systems:
Active Heave Compensated Winches Active
Heave Compensation by Cylinders Passive
Heave Compensation
and creative solutions, timely delivery of high
quality equipment with full capacity from day
one and a high reliability guarantee during
operations. Our globally operating service network
provides service support after delivery and
installation on location and by remote access.
OTC Stand 2625
responsibility for complete turnkey projects.
The companys production facilities in The
Netherlands can accommodate the construction
of large new-build vessels and it can also build
vessels in other locations around the world.
Through its pioneering role, IHC Merwede
ensures compliance with the latest technological
developments, strictest safety regulations and
most stringent environmental standards for
pipelay, well intervention, diving support and
multi-purpose offshore support vessels.
Technological innovation will remain the
companys underlying strength through its
continuous investment in research and
development. Moreover, it helps to safeguard
a sustainable environment.

ITC Management BV
Herenweg 133, 2100 AA Heemstede
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)23 548 5200
fax +31 (0)23 548 5252
mail sales@itctowage.com
site www.itctowage.com
Jumbo Offshore V.O.F.
3, Van Vollenhovenstraat
3016 BE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)10 413 46 30
mail offshore@kahn.nl
site www.jumbo-offshore.nl
www.youtube.com/user/jumboheavylift
Mammoet
Karel Doormanweg 47, 3115 JD Schiedam
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)10 204 24 24
fax + 31(0)10 204 24 42
site www.mammoet.com
Boosting on a forty years long experience, ITC
combines the advantages of a relatively small
organization with short communication and
decision lines with a multi-discipline, inventive
organization and specialized equipment.
ITC owns and operates a fleet of modern
anchor handling tug supply vessels up to
12000BHP/145t BP, anchor handling tugs and
towage & salvage tugs, and shoal busters.
ITC is operating globally and offering ocean
towage services for the heaviest and largest
floating objects. Since 2005 ITC is building up
a fleet of dedicated offshore support vessels,
which have been involved in FPSO installation
projects, 24/7 anchor handling, rig supply and
Jumbo Offshore
Jumbo Offshores core business is transportation
and installation of subsea structures, mooring
systems and wind farm equipment. Jumbos fleet
of 12 vessels contains two Offshore Heavy Lift
Vessels: Jumbo Javelin and Fairplayer. Both
vessels have DP2 systems, 17 knots transit
speed, a flush working deck (3,100 m2) and a
large, adjustable cargo hold (up to 20,000 m3).
For transportation services their two 900 t
Huisman mast cranes can lift 1,800 tonnes
in tandem inshore operation. For offshore
purposes they can handle up to 1,100 tonnes.
Deepwater Deployment System
In addition, DP2-HLV Fairplayer has a Deepwater
Deployment System (DDS), enabling Jumbo to
Mammoet is the worlds leading tailor-made
heavy lifting and multimodal transport solutions
specialist. Our core business is the transport,
shipping, installation (including horizontal and
vertical positioning) and removal of heavy or
large objects, to and from any location, onshore
and offshore. Mammoets activities are focused
on the petrochemical industry, civil engineering
projects, the power generation sector, offshore
and marine projects.
Mammoet offers the offshore industry all the
expertise, people and equipment for onshore
and offshore operations such as:
the design, engineering scheduling and
management of all transport logistics;
assistance, tanker lifting and rig moves.
The shallow draft shoal busters are suitable for
towing, supplying and anchor handling.
These units are also excellently suitable to
support offshore wind farm installation and
maintenance.
ITC will continue their commitment to the non
conventional marine industry and the offshore
industry offering tailor made solutions with
our versatile fleet and integrated ISM and ISO-
9001:2008 management and quality systems.
The professional services performed by well
maintained vessels, manned by experienced and
well trained crews are supported by an experi-
enced office staff, including former masters and
chief engineers.
OTC Stand 2625
install large and heavy structures in water
depths exceeding 3,000 m (1,000 t @ 1,000 m,
600 t @ 1,700 m, 200 t @ 3,000 m).
QHSE
Working safely is always at the forefront of
Jumbos methods and mentality. We approach
QHSE with even more dedication than our
other activities. Our permanent Stay Well
Program aims at awareness and prevention.
Both ship crews and office staff are trained at
regular intervals, incl. crew training sessions
on Jumbos in-house designed 3D Dual Crane
Simulator.
With a strong emphasis on safety-at-all-times,
we keep true to our motto: Reliable Strength
OTC Stand 2327
load-in, load-out and transport of huge
jackets and other modules;
lifting, handling and assembly of topside
components such as living quarters;
transport, load-out and assembly of ship sec-
tions for FPSO construction;
sea fastening, ballasting and barge
mooring operations;
decommissioning operations;
weighing and jacking;
provision of heavy lift ships and rental cranes.
More info about Mammoet:
www.mammoet.com
2011 69

Lowland International NV
Lireweg 14, 2153 PH Nieuw-Vennep
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)88 557 0101
fax +31 (0)88 557 0150
mail info@lowland.com
site www.lowland.com
Siri Marine BV
Stationsweg 1, 9901 CP Appingedam
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)59 662 0997
fax +31 (0)59 665 0810
mail info@sirimarine.nl
site www.sirimarine.nl
Tideway bv
P.O. Box 7074, 4800 GB Breda
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)76 520 4140
fax +31 (0)76 520 4150
mail info@tideway-deme.nl
site www.tideway.nl
70 2011
YOUR RELIABLE PARTNER IN SHIP,
RIG & CREW MANAGEMENT
Founded in 1993, Lowland International NV is
an international shipping company. We provide
services for parties in the shipping and offshore
industry involved in third-party technical ship
management and ship operation. We operate
on behalf of the ship and offshore owners and
maintain a large pool of dedicated professionals.
We serve a specific market for exacting clients.
From our offices across 20 countries, we work
to fulfill owners high expectations globally.
Our newest office, Lowland Marine & Offshore
in St. Maarten, opened its doors recently and an
office in Brazil will be opened in May 2011.
Over the years Siri Marine has gained
extensive experience in offshore transporta-
tion and vessel motions in particular. This
experience is used to prepare transport
manuals and advice offshore personnel and
onshore organizations on the specific condi-
tions that may occur during transport. Siri
Marine aims to be the preferred supplier of
motion monitoring services in the offshore,
shipping and shipbuilding industry, using
the Siri Marine Motion Monitoring System.
Our main objective is to provide a system
which is easy to install, has an excellent user
interface and provides high quality data for
real-time monitoring of motions and post
processing, if applicable.
Tideway Offshore Contractors is a Dutch offshore
specialist for the oil and gas industry, employing
over 300 staff to support six offshore construction
vessels. Tideways DP II fall pipe vessels Rolling-
stone, Seahorse and Flintstone have a sophisti-
cated fall pipe system, which places rocks up to
2,000 m at precisely the right location. Tideway
also uses trailing suction hopper and backhoe
dredgers to construct pipeline trenches where
pipelines reach the coast, and constructs landfalls
of oil and gas pipelines. To help clients explore
and exploit energy sources, Tideway is always
searching for innovative solutions according to
the motto: Energizing the Future.
Tideway works on groundbreaking projects all
over the world: from the North Sea to Mexico;
With over 2000 employees worldwide and many
international clients, Lowland is a well-known
shipping company with numerous vessels under
ownership and management. We have at our
disposal an extensive work force with which we
crew ships and operate offshore rigs.
We specialise in the maritime sector, comprising
ocean shipping, towage, dredging and
associated activities such as ports and fishing.
However, we also have access to an extensive
pool of professionals with maritime, technical
or medical training for other sectors.
For further information please visit our website
or contact our office.
OTC Stand 2517
The applications are numerous; assistance
of heavy transports; heavy lift; heave
monitoring; tow monitoring and also as a
decision support system for marine transpor-
tation & offshore operations.
With this system safety margins can be
significantly relaxed because the vessel
motions and forces are known and always
in control. Another important effect is a
significant reduction in both costs and risk.
Our standard products are suitable for
various applications; however client specific
applications can be developed, obviously
always with the philosophy of being
Fit for Purpose.
OTC Stand 2327
from Brazil to Australia; and from India to the
Middle East and Russia. Technology is used
much more frequently due to the increasing
international demand for energy. This requires
special knowledge and Tideway profits from
its parent companys expertise, the renowned
Belgian Dredging, Environmental and Marine
Engineering company DEME.
Tideway does not only provide services around
the many oil and gas pipelines built offshore
worldwide, but is also involved in high-voltage
cables at sea. Tideway projects are executed
more and more at extreme places; further
offshore, closer to the North or South Pole
or in very deep water.

Van Oord Offshore
2 Jan Blankenweg, 4207 HN Gorinchem
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)183 64 22 00
mail area.off@vanoord.com
site www.vanoord.com
Workfox B.V.
Planetenweg 5, 2132 HN Hoofddorp
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)23 556 3131
fax +31 (0)23 556 3135
mail info@workfox.com
site www.workfox.com
ZF Marine Krimpen b.v.
Zaag 27, 2931 LD Krimpen aan de Lek classification societies.
The Netherlands
phone +31 (0)180 331 000
fax +31 (0)180 331 099
mail info.hrp@zf.com
site www.zf.com/marine
Van Oord Offshore is an Offshore and EPC
Contractor that offers a wide range of services
to the offshore oil and gas industry.
Our high precision subsea rock installation
activities are vital for the stabilisation and
protection of offshore pipelines, cables and
other installations such as GBSs and wind
farm foundations.
With our large and modern fleet of DP flexible
fallpipe vessels and side stone dumping vessels
we can provide pre-lay and post-lay rock instal-
lation, scour protection, seabed improvement
and ballasting services for offshore structures in
water depths up to 1200 m.
Managers for Offshore Accommodation and
Multi-Support Vessels
Workfox BV is a leading service provider in the
accommodation, construction and maintenance
support segment of the oil & gas industry
world-wide and has been the exclusive manager
for the operation of the Seafox-fleet of jack-up
units since 1991.
In addition to providing accommodation, cater-
ing and housekeeping services for hook-up and
maintenance activities, the Seafox units are able
to offer support in a wide variety of offshore
installation, inspection and repair operations.
The advent of the windfarm installation market
has led Seafox Group to design and build a
jack-up specifically for this market, incorporating
ZF Marine Krimpen, formally known as HRP
Thruster Systems, is in the thruster market since
1973. ZF Marine Krimpen designs and produces
a wide range of steerable thrusters for all types
of applications throughout the marine industry.
All products are designed and manufactured in
the production facility at Krimpen aan de Lek,
the Netherlands. The organisation is ISO 9001
certified and designs meet all major marine
The ZF Marine products are well known
throughout the marine industry for innovation,
reliability and excellent performance.
OTC Stand 2625
For oil & gas pipeline shore approaches we
own a large variety of dredging and installa-
tion equipment. This allows us to offer a wide
range of marine services that entail trenching
& backfilling, landfall installation, pipe pulling
and shallow water pipeline and SPM installation
works.
Our track record for EPC contracts is rapidly
growing and confirms our ability to manage
and execute complex projects that include
detailed design & verification, procurement of
materials & services and installation and com-
missioning services in one complete package.
the relevant lessons of 20 years of jack-up
operational experience. The innovative design
of this self-propelled Seafox 5 meets all the
requirements for installation and support services
in the deeper water depths of the Southern and
Central North Sea for clients in the offshore
wind and oil & gas industry.
Furthermore, on behalf of Owners, Workfox
offers temporary accommodation units for
offshore locations and onboard ships. These
TLQs comply with all relevant governmental
and class specifications and combine comfort
with practical efficiency. They have been
designed for offshore oil and gas production
sites and are capable of withstanding severe
offshore environmental conditions.
The ZF Business Unit Marine Propulsion
Systems is also a leader in the marine market.
Coordinated through its headquarters at ZF
Padova, Italy, ZF Marine has 11 plants located
in Italy, Germany, Holland, USA, Brazil, China
and Taiwan.
ZF Marine supplies complete propulsion systems
and components for all types of vessels - mo-
tor yachts, defence craft, high-speed ferries,
workboats offshore- and commercial vessels,
in a power range from 10 to 14,000 kW - to
customers including major shipyards and engine
manufacturers worldwide.
2011 71
Dutch pavilion during OTC 2010
 Offshore and EPC Contractors

Solutions for
OFFSHORE ACCOMMODATION & SUPPORT
tomorrows world
Van Oord Offshore is an Offshore and EPC Contractor that offers
high precision subsea rock installation, trenching & backfilling,
landfall installation, pipe pulling and SPM & GBS installation works.
With an extensive global track record in the offshore construction
industry, Van Oord Offshore has proven its expertise to provide
clients with a safe and solid solution for their offshore structures.

o r k f ox
W me in any ,
at ho y !
kin d of e n erg
www.vanoord.com

SPM installation Subsea rock installation Trenching and backlling Landfall construction GBS installation

Planetenweg 5, 2132 NH Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

info@workfox.com www.workfox.com
 01

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