Royal IHC has launched the fully integrated reel-lay vessel Seven Vega. The launch took place at IHC’s shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, the Netherlands. The vessel features a newly designed reel-lay system capable of installing complex flowlines.
Stuart Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President Strategy and Commercial Subsea 7 said: 'When delivered in early 2020, the Seven Vega will be one of the most capable and cost-effective reel-lay vessels in the market and a global enabler for Subsea 7. It has been designed to deliver flowline technologies that address the growing market trend towards longer and more complex tie-back developments. The vessel’s cutting-edge pipelay system will be capable of installing complex rigid flowlines, including pipe-in-pipe systems and electrically heat traced flowlines, in water depths up to 3000 m.'
Watch a video of the vessel's building process and launch on Royal IHC's Facebook page.
Reel-lay System
Several innovative features make the Seven Vega one of the most technologically advanced vessels to date. The design of the reel-lay system was focused on crew safety, operational efficiency and flexibility. The reel-lay system has a 600 t top tension capacity consisting of a 32 m main reel and a 17 m auxiliary reel with a maximum storage capacity of 5600 t and 1600 t respectively.
The twin tensioner pipelay ramp tilts to allow pipeline installation from shallow waters to depths of up to 3000 m. The large multi-level workstation optimises the efficiency of operations in and around the firing line, while the creative positioning of the main and auxiliary reels – recessed into the main deck – offers payload flexibility.
In addition, the all-electric main crane allows lift parameters to be adjusted promptly without having to manually adapt the active heave system. By having fewer components, maintenance and energy consumption are also reduced.
Compact Ship Design
The vessel's compact dimensions are a result of the creative positioning of its three engine rooms and main reel, efficient use of the superstructure, and low air draft pipelay tower. The smart use of space opens up a large aft working deck, while the optimised mass distribution minimises the ballast water requirement.
Vessel Particulars and Cranes
The Seven Vega has an overall length of 149 m, a breadth of 33 m and a Class 3 dynamic positioning system. The pipeclay vessel is fitted with cranes offering a lifting capacity of 250 t and 50 t, and mutiple smaller cranes alongside two side-launching work-class ROV systems.
- Length o.a.: 149.2 m
- Breadth: 33m
- Depth to maindeck: 13 m
- Draught design: 8.3 m
- Deadweight: 10,800 t
- Gross Tonnage: 21,334 t
- Net Tonnage: 6400 t
- Service speed: approx. 13 knots
- Main crane: 250 t, 3000 m, AHC
- Auxiliary deck crane 1: 50 t, 3000m, AHC
- Auxiliary deck crane 2: 15 t
- Ramp top crane: 20 t
- ROV system: Two side launching work-class ROV systems installed in hangar
- DP system: DP 3
- Maximum storage capacity of main reel: 5600 t
- Product diameter: 4” – 20” diameter
- Maximum storage capacity secondary reel: 1600 t
- Maximum dynamic top tension: 600 t
- PLET Handling Size: 5 m x 5 m x 10 m
- A&R Winch System: 2x 325 t
- Accommodation: 120 persons, in 4 suites, 42 single and 37 double cabins
- Helideck: approved for Super Puma, S61N, S76 and S92
Ninth Vessel for Subsea 7
The launch ceremony took place on Saturday 25 May and was performed by Monica Th. Bjørkmann, Vice President for Subsea 7 in Norway. IHC designed the Seven Vega in close cooperation with Subsea 7. It is the ninth vessel IHC will deliver to Subsea 7. The delivery represents a fully integrated pipelay vessel equipped with a pipelay system designed, engineered and built by IHC.
