Blog Archives
“Kosovo and Syria: Two Convenient Lies” an essay by Norma Brown
When I contacted Norma Brown about her writing an opinion on this administrations plans to attack Syria in response to Syria’s apparent use of chemical weapons in their civil war (posted here yesterday), I sent her a link to the New York Times article, Air War In Kosovo Seen as Precedent in Possible Response to Syria Chemical Attack. I knew from some of her first posts at Ooobie on Everything that she had been in Kosovo in her capacity as a then US Foreign Service Officer and that she had strong opinions about NATO’s interdiction there. I was interested in what she would have to say about Kosovo being used as a precedent for sojourn into the Syrian conflict. So, let’s see what Norma Brown has to say on the subject.
Read Here: “Kosovo and Syria: Two Convenient Lies” an essay by Norma Brown | Asylum Watch.
Ukraine: Ulstein’s CSV Polar Onyx Launched
The hull of the offshore construction and well intervention vessel “Polar Onyx”, built by the order from Norwegian company Ulstein Hull AS, has been launched at Shipyard Zaliv on May 31, 2013.
The hull is currently moored alongside the outfitting berth of the Ukraine-based yard and is waiting to be towed to Norway to the place of final completion.
The high-capacity vessel is designed for operations in harsh conditions and deep waters, with a length of 130 meters and a 25 meter beam. The vessel is built to the highest standard for dynamic positioning, DP2+, and is equipped with a 250t AHC offshore crane. It is also equipped with a 275t Vertical Lay System above a moonpool which is capable of installing flexible pipe and umbilicals to 3,000m water depth.
The vessel has recently been chartered to Ceona Services (UK) for a period of 5 years and it will start working for Ceona immediately upon delivery from Ulstein Verft in the first quarter of 2014.
In total, during the six years of cooperation between Zaliv and Ulstein Hull AS, fourteen vessels have been built for work in the oil and gas industry.
Related:
Hornbeck Orders MacGregor AHC Subsea Cranes for Its MPS Vessel
Cargotec’s MacGregor has received EUR 37 million order from Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc. to deliver four 250-tonne active heave-compensated (AHC) subsea cranes for four multi-purpose supply vessels (MPSV). The cranes will be delivered between fourth quarter 2014 and third quarter 2015. The order is booked in the second quarter 2013 order intake.
“MPSVs are specialized vessels that are principally used to support complex deepwater subsea construction, installation, maintenance, repair and other sophisticated operations,” says Frode Grøvan, Sales and Marketing Director for MacGregor Advanced Load Handling. “We are pleased that Hornbeck Offshore opted MacGregor’s advanced 250-tonne AHC subsea cranes with operational capability at depths of 3700m suitable for ultra-deepwater operations.”
Cargotec, May 14, 2013
Claxton: SABRE Subsea Abrasive Cutting System (VIDEO)
Claxton, an Acteon company, which specializes in engineering and services for jack up environments, has presented its SABRE subsea abrasive cutting system.
The Claxton SABRE abrasive cutting system is capable of simultaneously severing all the casings in a well, regardless of casing loading, eccentricity or contents.
SABRE has proven an invaluable tool and has seen successful use on some of the most significant abandonment campaigns. SABRE’s abrasive jet exits the tool at transonic speeds – making light work of even composite materials such as cemented casings.
Using a jet of naturally occurring cutting components (garnet, water and air), SABRE has a low environmental impact. The system can be deployed from a vessel or platform, allowing simultaneous abrasive cutting of multiple well casings without impacting adjacent infrastructure.
DOF Subsea Charters Harvey Gulf’s Newbuild CSV
DOF Subsea USA has entered into a long-term charter agreement with Harvey Gulf International Marine for the new build DP II Multipurpose Construction Vessel, the Harvey Deep-Sea. The four year charter agreement will commence upon delivery of the vessel from Easter Shipyard, Florida in June 2013.
The vessel is the only new build Jones Act compliant construction vessel available to the market until the latter part of 2015.
Since 2010, DOF Subsea North America has experienced strong growth in capability and market recognition, delivering to the DOF Subsea Group important and challenging projects using the existing Atlantic fleet. This charter is an integral part of DOF Subsea’s planned expansion strategy as a global service provider for the deep-water offshore Survey, IMR and Construction market.
World Maritime News – DOF Subsea Charters Harvey Gulf’s Newbuild CSV.
Other articles
VIDEO: HLV Fairplayer Installs Suction Anchors and Bottom Chains
In the following video, Jumbo Maritime Heavylift shows transport and installation of suction anchors and bottom chains from the vessel HLV Fairplayer.
The Fairplayer is fitted with a Class 2 Dynamic Positioning system.
VIDEO: HLV Fairplayer Installs Suction Anchors and Bottom Chains| Offshore Energy Today.
- Germany: HeavyLift@Sea Presents New Heavy Lifter Design (worldmaritimenews.com)
VIDEO: Hydratight Shows Subsea Mechanical Pipe Connectors
Hydratight’s Mechanical Connectors (formerly known as MORGRIP™ mechanical connectors) are used subsea in diver depths for pipeline tie-in and spool repair.
The high performance products are designed to be simple and reliable to install with key diver-friendly design features, including “hands-clear” activation and external pressure test. No connector has ever proved impossible to install subsea, and none have ever failed in service. Hydratight’s Mechanical Connectors boast a 100% leak-free in-service record with over 2500 Connectors deployed to date.
For over 30 years, Hydratight’s innovative products and services have ensured the integrity of all types of flanges and mechanical connectors. Hydratight can trace its roots back to 1901 when the Sweeney business was founded in the United States. The company’s first torque tools appeared on the scene in 1949.
Subsea World News – VIDEO: Hydratight Shows Subsea Mechanical Pipe Connectors.
- UK: Balltec Reveals Helical Connector (worldmaritimenews.com)
- UK: Balltec Gets Project Recognition Award for MoorLOK Connectors (worldmaritimenews.com)
- FMC Technologies signs $33M subsea deal (bizjournals.com)
- Norway: Ulstein Unveils Next Generation of IMR Vessel (worldmaritimenews.com)
UK: SMD Carries Out Testing of WROVs at Stoney Cove
2012 has seen SMD evolve the Q-series range of Work Class ROVs with extensive type testing carried out at the UK’s National Diving Centre at Stoney Cove, Leicester. The latest systems are configured to ensure SMD’s WROVs meet the demands and expectations of customers well into the future. Testing has successfully been carried out on the Atom which has been delivered to Bibby Remote Intervention and the first new Quantum (code named MkIII) recently delivered to Hallin.
The new Quantum uses many of the multi-platform Curvetech™ components first seen on the Atom. This gives SMD’s fleet customers interchangeable parts between systems.
It can interface as standard with the latest instruments such as high bandwidth sonars and high definition cameras. It uses the new single pedestal Curvetech™ HTE430 thruster for class leading bollard pull and high current operation. Available with a 200hp and 250hp HPU, the system comes with 245 LPM isolated tooling for demanding applications. A 350kg payload (after manipulators and core instrumentation is fitted) completes a package which cannot currently be matched for heavy WROV construction duties.
Topside, a revised cabin layout with monitor display options and increased space for third party survey equipment creates an ergonomic and pleasant environment for operators. SMDs DVECSII SCADA PLC control system gives operators advanced real time information on vehicle subsystems.
Mark Collins – SMD’s ROV Business Stream Manager commented:
“Through 2012 SMD have made significant progress re-vamping the Q-Series range. The recent Atom and Quantum trials were a huge success and we are now on track to complete trials of the new Quasar in December. The evolution of the SMD Work Class ROV brings increased versatility and flexibility to meet market demands into the future but also lower through life operating costs.”
Stoney Cove started life as a quarry, and first became popular with divers in the 1960s after it was abandoned and allowed to fill with water. The centre has been used for the testing of marine machinery since the 1970s. The facility offers depths of up to 35 metres, good visibility and good hard standing adjacent to the water, allowing loads of up to 20 tons to be deployed easily onto the water, not to mention the on-site pub!
Subsea World News – UK: SMD Carries Out Testing of WROVs at Stoney Cove.
Continents of the World
Mb50's "Liquid Mud" Rant 