Pipelay Vessel Sets Tension Record during Trials
Lewek Constellation, an ice-classed, multi-lay offshore construction vessel with ultra-deep water pipelaying and heavy lift capabilities (Photo: EMAS AMC)
EMAS AMC’s flagship construction vessel, Lewek Constellation, sets industry record during sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico
EMAS AMC, the subsea division of EMAS, a global offshore contractor and provider of integrated offshore solutions to the oil and gas industry, announced that its flagship subsea construction vessel, Lewek Constellation, has established an industry record for pipelay in the U.S Gulf of Mexico (GOM).
In preparation for the execution of three subsea tie-back projects for Noble Energy (NBL), Lewek Constellation performed her final pipelay trial in the U.S. GOM in 7,368 feet (2,246 meters) of water, and during the deployment of the 3.2 kilometer, 16-inch diameter, 28mm wall thickness pipeline, complete with the second end pipeline end termination (PLET), the tension recorded was 632mT, rendering this the highest tension ever experienced in the history of rigid reeled-lay operations, according to EMAS AMC.
“Successfully laying the test pipe at this record-breaking top tension during pipelay trials is a significant achievement for EMAS and an industry first,” said Lionel Lee, Chairman, EMAS AMC. "It's a testament to the experience and expertise of our people combined with the quality of our new vessel built by EMAS Group’s subsidiary TRIYARDS in Vietnam. I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our integrated project teams in preparation for this important milestone.
“What this record means for clients going forward is that we can offer a more efficient pipelay solution in ultra-deep water for pipelines up to 16 inch in diameter when compared to traditional S-Lay or J-Lay methods, even with thick insulation coatings, thereby giving our clients more options to consider,” said John Meenaghan Vice President Global Operations.
