Torch
Offshore Increases fleet activity
Posted: 2 October 2003
Torch Offshore, Inc announced an increase in its fleet activity
The Midnight Wrangler, a 341-foot dynamically positioned (DP-2)
deepwater construction/pipelay vessel, has completed phase 1 of
a 4-phase subsea construction project (Ochre) for Mariner Energy,
Inc (Mariner).
Phase 1 was the installation of a subsea tree. Phase 2 will be
the recovery of 43,000 feet of double armored subsea control umbilical
from the Mustique field. This umbilical will be re-commissioned
for installation in phase 4. Recycling the control umbilical is
the first project of its kind in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater arena.
The Midnight Eagle will be installing tube clamps and equipment
at the host platform in phase 3. Phase 4 will be the installation
of 42,000 feet of 3 1/2-inch flowline, flexible jumpers, flying
leads and the 43,000 feet of refurbished umbilical. Phases 1, 2
and 4 will also be performed with the Midnight Wrangler.
Mariner's Ochre project is a single well subsea tie-back in Mississippi
Canyon 66 tied back to Mississippi Canyon 20. Additional Mariner
project work that was performed by the Midnight Wrangler, immediately
prior to the Ochre project, consisted of the abandonment of pipeline
end terminations, umbilical distribution units, flying leads, flowline
jumpers and other hardware from three deepwater fields, Mustique
2, Apia and Dulcimer.
In addition, the modular lay system has been commissioned on the
Midnight Wrangler and the vessel has begun its first reeled pipelay
job.
During the month of September 2003, the Midnight Arrow, Midnight
Brave, Midnight Dancer and Midnight Rider were fully utilized while
the Midnight Eagle and Midnight Star were nearly fully utilized.
The September 2003 utilization was a marked improvement over the
utilization experienced in the first two months of the third quarter.
Finally, the Midnight Runner is temporarily operating as a spool
base for the Midnight Wrangler. The vessel is being utilized to
spool pipe on to 9.2 meter and 8.6 meter reels at the Company's
base in Dulac, Louisiana. These reels, once loaded with pipe, will
be transported to the Midnight Wrangler and loaded on deck. The
modular lay system will then lay the pipe off of the reels. This
provides the Company with the ability to spool pipe without incurring
the additional capital costs of building a reel base.
Lyle G. Stockstill, Torch Offshore, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, commented, "The work being performed by the Midnight
Wrangler represents the future of the Company as we continue with
our strategy to enter the deepwater markets of the world. The vessel
has garnered quite a bit of attention from the industry because
of its versatility and we look forward to keeping the vessel utilized
for the remainder of the year. As for the other vessels in the fleet,
we were extremely busy during the month of September in the shallow
water Gulf of Mexico and see this level of activity carrying over
to the fourth quarter of 2003."
Established in 1978, Torch Offshore, Inc. is involved in offshore
pipeline installation and subsea construction for the oil and natural
gas industry. Torch Offshore, Inc. is expanding beyond its established
shallow water niche market in order to serve the industry's worldwide
growing needs in the deep waters.
For more information see http://www.torchinc.com/.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
Information supplied by companies
or PR agencies who are responsible for content. Send press releases
to info@pipelinedubai.com |
