Revolutionising Ultra-Deepwater Installation

“The number of wells drilled at depths in excess of 1500 metres will increase considerably in the years ahead. This will require an increase in the number of construction vessels that are capable of operating in deep waters, and it is in this market that ODIM is now positioning itself to be a leading supplier of total aft deck solutions.”

It is COO at ODIM ASA, Kjetil Leine, who makes this statement. He adds that several important elements that are necessary to achieving this objective are already in place, and that the foundations for continued growth in the deep-water segment have been laid.

“The agreement that was signed with Aker Oilfield Services in August 2007 for the delivery of a 125 tonne ODIM CTCU™ system was an important breakthrough for the further development of deep water technology in ODIM. With its two-fall configuration the system can install constructions of up to 250 tonnes in deepwater.

MAJOR ADVANTAGES

The ODIM CTCU™ technology makes it possible to handle fibre rope instead of steel cables for installation work at great depths. This is highly beneficial with regard to weight, in that smaller and less costly vessels can be used.

“Our acquisition of the Stavanger-based company JMC is also a key element in the further development of deep water activities in ODIM,” continues Kjetil Leine. “The companies complement each other in an excellent manner, and the purchase has given us access to first rate expertise and valuable engineering capacity”.

He goes on to tell us that ODIM has worked on ensuring sufficient capacity to manufacture ODIM CTCU™ systems in the period ahead.

“These systems will be built in Hjørungavåg. The build up of a new manufacturing unit in Vietnam means that we can relocate the production of some simpler standard products there, which will release capacity in Norway for the technologically more demanding products”.

COMPLETE PACKAGES

“The product portfolio we now have means that we can supply complete package solutions with automated handling systems for the aft deck of construction vessels,” continues Leine. “None of our competitors have a similar solution to the ODIM CTCU™, and we also have tower and skid systems from ODIM JMC and our ODIM LARS™ systems that we can implement and integrate with common control systems”.

ODIM will continue to work on increasing its participation in all international markets where there are deepwater activities and will supply total aft deck solutions to operators engaged in these markets.

“We have positioned ourselves well, and we shall be a leading supplier of systems in this segment,” emphasises Kjetil Leine.