Two dolphins for H&W

Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries in Belfast has secured major contracts for manufacturing and upgrading work on two oil rigs, Blackford Dolphin and Bredford Dolphin. Both rigs are owned by the Norwegian company Fred Olsen Energy.

The Belfast yard will design and construct two modules for the Blackford Dolphin semi-submersible drill rig, which is to undergo a major conversion in FELS of Rotterdam. Bredford Dolphin will undergo a special periodic survey (SPS) in Belfast and will be upgraded to Norwegian standard.

An accommodation module, which can house up to 130 personnel, a restaurant, gym, hospital and leisure areas and a power generation module which will weigh more than 400 tonnes, is due to be installed on the Blackford at the end of this summer.

Robert J Cooper, Harland and Wolff chief executive, says the contracts were awarded to the yard because of its ability to complete projects within tight delivery schedules. “Harland and Wolff has a strong reputation for completing high quality ship-building and engineering projects within the most punishing deadlines and we are delighted that the rig owner has appointed us to complete the two modules,” says Cooper.

“The power generation module will be built in our manufacturing shops and its build period will largely overlap that of the accommodation module, which is to be delivered at the end of August this year,” he said.

The Bredford rig will arrive in August and the work has to be completed in approximately sixty days since Fred Olsen will be sending this rig straight to its field of operation.