Rowan-Viking

A subsidiary of Rowan Companies has selected Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV) to revamp the Rowan Viking, a Keppel Fels N-class drilling rig.

DSV will convert the 124m-long Rowan Viking so that it can carry-out exploration in the Norwegian Lundin oil field, for which it has been contracted.

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Damen Shiprepair & Conversion’s offshore and conversion team will oversee the project, which involves a special periodic survey, safety modifications in compliance with Norwegian law and a leg extension from 170m to 180m to enable the rig to work in deeper waters.

DSV has awarded a contract to Palfinger Systems to provide a jack-up maintenance platform system for the Rowan Viking’s 120t leg extensions, which will be hoisted using Mammoet’s 200m-high PTC cranes.

“This is a unique project. A leg extension of this magnitude has never been done using this method at DSV.”

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion commercial manager Bas Loohuis said: “This is a unique project. A leg extension of this magnitude has never been done using this method at DSV.”

“Using the Palfinger systems and the Mammoet crane will enable us to carry out other work while the legs are being extended, which will translate into a significant improvement in turnaround time.”

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To accommodate the PTC cranes, DSV has demolished its warehouse and built a special foundation that is said to withstand the high ground pressure of 30t/m² from the crane.

DSV Rowan Viking project manager Ron Brusket said the oil and gas industry is subject to extremely high health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ) requirements.

“This will require us to make significant adjustments to our project organisation,” Brusket said.

“The comprehensive preparations have convinced us that these adjustments will be successful; the new project organisation will serve as the foundation for future major offshore conversions”.

Rowan Viking is expected to be at the shipyard for about 130 days.

Image: The conversion project will involve leg extension to 180m for enabling the rig to work in deeper waters. Photo: courtesy of Damen Shipyards Group.

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