SeaMetric does the heavy lifting

To cut field development costs and improve safety of services and operations in the offshore oil and gas industry, SeaMetric International has developed a twin marine lifter (TML) system for installation and removal of platform topsides and jackets up to an impressive 20,000 metric tons. The TML can also be used for installation of topsides onto semi-sub hulls and used in ship salvage.

SeaMetric says a key strength of the TML system is the ease in removal of its lifting arms, which allows the same vessels to be used for heavy transport, construction support, jacket piling, sub-sea construction and accommodation.

A contract to fabricate the new design was signed with ESCCA Hong Kong in Beijing, which in turn subcontracted construction of the vessels for the first TML system to a subsidiary of State-owned China National Petroleum Corp, the nation's largest oil enterprise, which has almost 1.5 million employees - about the same size as the entire Norwegian workforce. "We plan to have three to four TML systems and transport vessels on the market by 2012," says Managing Director Johan F. Andresen.

"Under the contract with ESSCA, SeaMetric has secured options for the delivery of one more TML 20,000 and two 180-m heavy transport vessels for delivery in 2010. Each TML will be self-contained and have dynamic positioning, making these vessels very flexible."

Timely delivery is essential, Andresen says, as SeaMetric continues negotiations for long-term contracts in Asia, Latin America, Europe and the United States.

Vessels for the first two TML systems will be built at the CNPC Liaohe Shipyard. The company says such a strong partner will ensure that completion deadlines are met.

With strong relations with major Chinese contractors established, SeaMetric is also looking at other Asian markets and selecting which countries will be prioritized for the launch of its next TML.

"We want to build up the SeaMetric International organization into a major marine heavy lifting contractor and secure cooperation agreements with highly reputable operating partners worldwide. In the immediate future, we will focus on the TML system construction in China and financing of the planned TML systems and heavy transport vessels," Andresen says.

(China Daily 04/14/2008 page28)