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These vessels will service the long-term underwater services contract Subsea 7 has with Shell for inspection, repair and maintenance programmes, capital projects and decommissioning works across Shell’s European offshore fields and facilities.

Today’s event highlighted the significant impact the introduction of these new vessels will have on the North Sea market and beyond. The Seven Atlantic in particular represents a huge step forward in North Sea diving productivity and capacity. The vessel is one of the largest and most capable DSVs in the world and at 140m long and 26m wide the vessel only just fits into Aberdeen Harbour. It is also very efficient, designed to operate for at least 60 days offshore without re-supply and will be able to operate in harsher North Sea weather conditions than has been possible previously by similar vessels.

The Normand Subsea is also one of the most capable vessels of its kind with advanced ROV launch and recovery systems and a focus on achieving year round availability in harsh environments, including ice.

Steph McNeill, Subsea 7’s UK Vice President commented:

“These vessels represent a significant investment in the next generation of diving and diverless operations and have the capability to significantly improve efficiencies and productivity in the North Sea market. It is very exciting to have these vessels here in Aberdeen today at what is a unique opportunity to witness two of the world’s most capable vessels, of their kind, in one place.”

John Gallagher, Vice President–Technical Shell Upstream Europe, added: “The Shell underwater services contract is the continuation of an ongoing long-term relationship between Subsea 7 and Shell which commenced in 1984.

“Shell’s subsea operations will benefit from the introduction of these technically advanced vessels as we continue our significant investment in the North Sea.”

Investment in these two vessels is part of an ongoing capital investment programme of over $1bn dollars in new assets and equipment by Subsea 7 which has seen eight new vessels join the existing fleet since 2007 - the last of which, the Seven Pacific pipelay and construction vessel, is expected to be delivered later this year.

The Seven Atlantic DSV is a next generation dynamically positioned vessel specifically designed for saturation and air diving support work.  The integrated saturation system has a capacity for 24 divers using a twin bell system, is built to NORSOK requirements and is configured for split level diving with advanced standards of comfort and safety for the divers. The vessel can accommodate up to 174 people (including divers). In addition, there is a twin work station integrated air-dive system for shallow diving which can also be conducted utilising Subsea 7’s MCA certified Seven Spray air-dive support craft, deployed from the Seven Atlantic.  

The Normand Subsea is a dynamically positioned Life of Field vessel built to support not only the initial development of subsea oil and gas fields but also the maintenance and integrity management of these assets throughout their producing life.  The vessel has 6 remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) onboard and is specifically designed for inspection, repair and maintenance work.  The vessel is fitted with five moonpools: the main working moonpool for module deployment / recovery; two work class ROV moonpools and two observation class ROV moonpools. The remaining two observation class ROVs are deployed over the ship’s side from the port side of the hangar.  She has on-board facilities for a ship’s complement of 90 people.

The Normand Subsea commenced operations for Shell in late 2009 and the Seven Atlantic will depart for her first workscope at the end of March.