Technip, DOF Subsea joint venture takes delivery of PLSV Skandi Açu

PARIS -- Technip and DOF Subsea’s 50/50 owned joint venture, TechDof Brasil, has taken final delivery of the pipe-lay support vessel (PLSV) Skandi Açu, the companies said Tuesday.

The vessel has been approved for hire by Petrobras, and it commenced an eight-year charter contract on Aug. 13. Skandi Açu is the first of four PLSVs fixed on long-term charters, which were awarded to the TechDof Brasil joint venture in August 2013, with Petrobras.

The Skandi Açu is designed to achieve a 650-ton laying tension capacity, thus enabling the installation of large-diameter flexible pipes in ultra-deepwater environments, such as the Brazilian pre-salt.

The vessel was built by VARD in Romania and Norway, with the main pipelaying equipment provided by Huisman in the Czech Republic and in the Netherlands.

"Taking final delivery of Skandi Açu and commencing the contract with Petrobras is an important milestone in our partnership with Technip, and the joint venture now has three vessels in operations," DOF Subsea CEO Mons S. Aase said.