Damen completes Rowan Viking rig upgrade within schedule

Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, has completed a major upgrade of a Keppel Fels ‘N’ Class drilling rig, in 30 days less than was initially projected by the client.

Rig owner Rowan Companies projected that the work on the Rowan Viking would require 130 days, however through the application of innovative project planning techniques and highly specialised equipment, Damen was able to reduce this by almost 25%.

Upgrade completed earlier than anticipated.

Rig leg extension

The scope of the project involved the extension of the three legs by 10 m to 180 m, a five-yearly special periodic survey and bringing the rig up to standard for the AoC (acknowledgement of compliance) certification required by the Norwegian authorities. The Vlissingen yard was chosen for its large size, convenient location on the North Sea and its suitable quayside. It also has previous experience in converting jack up rigs, most recently the Atlantic Amsterdam and Atlantic Labrador.

The achievement of such an ambitious goal required Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen to adopt a new approach to this kind of project. Firstly a project execution plan was drawn up that allowed the three aspects of the contract to be undertaken simultaneously. To enable this to happen, changes had to be made both to working practises and to the organisation of the yard itself.

Safe working platforms

The use of a Mammoet crane and Palfinger’s unique JUMP system were also critical elements. The PTC crane was delivered on over 100 trucks and was erected to a height of 200 m on special permanent foundations installed to bear the immense loads. This allowed the rig to remain at sea level and the leg extension pieces to be lifted directly from the shore on to the legs for installation. Palfinger supplied the safe working platforms that allowed the engineers to move up and down the legs at heights of up to 160 m, for fitting and welding.

Rowan Viking with on the right the Mammoet crane on special permanent foundation.

As one of the first projects of this type that Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen has undertaken, there was a steep learning curve for all concerned. However, with the experience from the Rowan Viking refit and the creation of finely tuned project plans and work practises, plus the strong relationships with partners Mammoet and Palfinger, the team at the yard is confident that it will be able to further reduce the time required on similar undertakings.

Future projects?

Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen is currently in discussions with two rig-operating companies regarding similar leg repairs and extension projects.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/03092014/damen-completes-rig-upgrade-within-projected-timescale-1378/