Supply boats evolve for deepwater work
Preparing for harsh environment frontiers once meant drilling in 600 ft depths of water. The 600-ft depths conquered in 1965 seem distant compared to a near-7000-ft record set in 1984. Unfortunately water depth is not the only barrier in Alaskan drilling operations. Distances from supply ports to drill sites present an array of logistical problems. Drilling technology has passed production technology, and this could very well leave US marine transportation companies lacking the equipment needed for support in harsh environment operations. Most marine operators have had to resort to updating anchor handling/tug/supply boats already in operation. These conversion upgrades consist mostly of installation of larger towing winches, in-tank storage of anchor chain and addition of chain handlers and pendant reel capacity. In some instances radical conversion may include repowering main engine packages to include a higher horsepower range. These changes, although sufficient for Gulf of Mexico operations or other mild climates, fall short when compared with European-design severe environment vessels. Upgrading of these vessels for work in Arctic environments is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- PBR Offshore Marine Corp., Morgan City, LA
- OSTI ID:
- 6196967
- Journal Information:
- Offshore; (United States), Journal Name: Offshore; (United States)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
SERVICE SECTOR
OIL WELLS
OFFSHORE DRILLING
SHIPS
MODIFICATIONS
ARCTIC REGIONS
PETROLEUM
RETROFITTING
TRANSPORT
DRILLING
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
POLAR REGIONS
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
022000 - Petroleum- Transport
Handling
& Storage