Groundbreaking conversion projects for Dubai yard

AET is converting these vessels as part of the Marine Well Containment Company’s (MWCC) well containment system. MWCC is a not-for-profit, stand-alone organisation with 10 member companies comprising ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell, BP, Apache, Anadarko, BHP Billiton, Statoil and Hess. The tanker operator was recently awarded a 20-year contract with MWCC to supply two MCVs to provide containment services in the event of a potential deepwater well control incident in the US Gulf of Mexico.

The conversion will allow the 2011 built 107,000dwt Aframax tankers to continue to operate normally as tankers in the US Gulf of Mexico, with capability to be deployed as MCVs within shortest possible time. The first vessel, Eagle Texas, arrived at the yard in January and the second vessel, Eagle Louisiana, in February 2012. Each project will be completed within a period of nine months and enable the vessels to handle about 100,000 barrels of liquid and about 200 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. The MCVs are capable of operating at depths of 10,000ft.

Both vessels will undergo extensive conversion involving structural modifications required for installation of a new state-of-the-art containment system provided by MWCC and additional accommodation. The work includes the installation of four power generators, four retractable type azimuth thrusters one tunnel thruster, dynamic positioning, pipe racks on deck and supports for process module, flare tower and turret.

“We are extremely happy to sign this prestigious contract with AET, a well-known global service provider, as part of our well-articulated strategy of building our presence in the oil, gas and energy industries. We already have an established reputation and strong expertise in carrying out sophisticated vessel conversion projects for world-leading companies. Our thrust on expanding our knowledge base and creating a technology-driven state-of-the-art facility has borne fruit and we are able to effectively serve the industry,” said Khamis Juma Buamim, chairman of Drydocks World.