WJM secures first contract for development of new support vessel
HOUSTON -- William Jacob Management Inc. (WJM) has secured its initial contract to complete the detailed engineering and design of its first mobile offshore support services vessel, the MOSS V. Northport Marine LLC will be the first client to receive delivery of the new concept vessel, scheduled for completion in Q1 2018.
The MOSS V is a heavy-duty jackup drilling rig, converted to a self-propelled vessel. Potential applications include rigless plug and abandonment (P&A), construction support, floatel, storm damage repair, decommissioning, wireline, workover, support of a skid off rig and maintenance. WJM will provide the engineering design and construction management for the conversion and refit of a candidate vessel, several of which have been identified.
By removing pre-existing drilling equipment from the top deck during the conversion, a 10,000-ft2 open deck serves to create a utility vessel that allows for the accommodation of a number of different services. The equipment below deck (pumps and tanks) is left in place, for potential use in P&A applications.
Typically, a standard jackup rig is equipped with two or three cranes with limited capacity of only 10 to 30 tons. The MOSS V adds a new heavy-duty, 500-ton crane, which extends the vessel’s capability to comfortably handle platform maintenance, coiled tubing offloading, the decommissioning of platforms and the rigless P&A of wells. The MOSS V hosts a large 85-person living quarters, which means it can also jack up next to a platform and be used as a floatel.
The MOSS V is a far more robust vessel in comparison with smaller, lighter lift boats, whereas existing lift boats can only work up to a maximum of 200-ft water depth and cannot operate in heavy seas. The MOSS V is designed for 350 to 400-ft water depth capability, and can endure substantial adverse weather conditions, due to its size and weight.
A 2,000-ft2 enclosed machine and welding shop is also located on the deck. This means that workers can safely perform construction tasks for repairs in an environment shielded from the elements whilst offshore on the vessel. Another feature that enhances the safety of its workers is the inclusion of a helideck. This means that workers can be safely transported on and off the vessel, eliminating the risks inherent with basket transfer of personnel, typically used with smaller lift boats.
