China awards seismic vessel contract

When operational it will carry out detailed surveys of the seabed to identify oil and gas reserves. The contract includes efficient power and propulsion systems and a range of advanced automated handling systems for seismic equipment.

The vessel, a UT 830 CD, will be able to operate worldwide and will be the first of its type to be equipped with a package of Rolls-Royce handling systems for seismic equipment. During research missions, the vessel will tow up to 14 cables, or ‘streamers’, each 10km long.

Shanghai Shipyard Co will build the vessel for Shanghai Offshore Petroleum Geophysical Corporation (part of the Sinopec organisation), with delivery scheduled for 2013. The UT 830 CD meets the DNV Clean Design and Comfort (V3)(C3) requirements, and the accommodation for 65 people in single and two berth cabins is to Rolls-Royce standard. Rolls-Royce will be supplying all the main ship systems; power, propulsion, manoeuvring, deck machinery, controls and automation, and also the full seismic handling systems for streamers, vanes and sound sources, with their associated radio remote controls.

This 100m long, 24m wide vessel will have a bollard pull of 130 tonnes and is designed for low motion due to the sensitivities of seismic equipment.