Songa Saturn gets CNOOC contract

OSLO: Songa Offshore ASA signed a contract with CNOOC Africa Ltd. for the drilling of one well offshore Equatorial Guinea.

The contract will commence after the rig’s current drilling campaign in Libya, which is expected to be completed in late 2009. Before starting the mobilization, Songa Saturn will complete its planned upgrade of the rig from 3,300 feet (1,016 m) to 3,800 feet (1,170 m) water depth capacity. This work is likely to be carried out in Malta directly after the ongoing campaigns in Libya. The contract has an estimated value of US$30 million inclusive of mobilization. The contract has demobilization alternatives for both West Africa and Malta.

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Bollinger to build up to 34 vessels for US Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has selected Bollinger Shipyards to design and construct up to 34 new fast response cutter (FRC) vessels.

The new generation of patrol boats will belong to the Sentinel Class and will replace the Coast Guard’s present Island-class of cutters which Bollinger built almost 25 years ago. Bollinger CEO and Chairman of the Board, Donald “Boysie” Bollinger said he was pleased to have won the contract. “It will mean so much for our employees,” he said. Mr Bollinger went on to say that the program, which is expected to last for approximately ten years for all 34 boats, would provide employment for approximately 500 people at Bollinger Shipyards. The Bollinger design for the craft is based on a parent craft concept using a modern hull form that was originally developed by Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands.  “We have had an excellent relationship with Damen for the last ten years.” said Mr Bollinger. “We are currently completing another contract for the USCG, Marine Protector Class Patrol Boats, with the 75th patrol boat being delivered next year. That hull design was also based on a successful Damen design.” The new vessels will measure 46.7 metres by 7.7 metres by 2.6 metres and will be powered by two TIER II diesel engines rated at 4,295kW.   The vessel will accommodate a crew of 22 for up to five days at sea.  The cutter’s missions will include search and rescue, drug and illegal migrant interdiction, homeland security and maritime defence.

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COSCO to Deliver FPSO Conversion for Petrobras’ Campos Basin Ops

Since March 2007, COSCO Dalian Shipyard has signed 4 tanker-based FPSO conversion projects with MODEC.

One of these, “SONG DOC PRIED MV19″ has already been delivered to TSJOC, and another VLCC, “Apollo Shoju,” has been renamed. On September 10, 2008, the Naming Ceremony for the Petrobras Opportunity Oil FPSO Conversion was held in COSCO Dalian Shipyard. During the ceremony, “Apollo Shoju” was renamed as “FPSO Cidade de Niteroi MV18.” After delivery, the FPSO will join the Petrobras fleet in the Campos Basin. Kenji Yamada, President of MODEC, Figueiredo & Sanches, Executive Managers from Petrobras, and Wang Xingru, President of COSCO Shipyard Group, witnessed the ceremony. The work scope for this VLCC conversion included repair & life extension, specialist FPSO structure construction, topsides module installation and integration, as well the fitting of steel structure, cable pulling and piping work. Up to now, COSCO Dalian Shipyard has achieved outstanding safety results; a total of 4 million man hours have been spent on the two MODEC projects without any time being lost due to injury.

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