Alewijnse Marine Systems is to play a significant role in the conversion of the jack-up drill rigs 'Atlantic London' and 'Atlantic Amsterdam' to offshore hotel accommodation. Both refits will start in July and take several months to complete.

According to the company, “this significant order from Nordica Offshore further reinforces the position that Alewijnse has developed in the offshore refit and retrofit market and demonstrates the wide range of skills and capabilities that the company can bring to projects of this complexity.”

In 2011 Alewijnse successfully played a sizable role in a similar conversion of the jack-up rig ‘Atlantic Labrador’.

The ‘Atlantic London’ is due to arrive at the ASL Shipyard in Batam, Indonesia next month, while the ‘Atlantic Amsterdam’ will arrive at Scheldepoort Repair & Conversion Yard in Vlissingen around the same time.

Both projects will involve the complete removal of the drilling installation from each rig, including the drilling tower, sliding piece, cement and mud tanks, as well as all the remaining drilling equipment and redundant cabling and piping.

Meanwhile, new accommodation blocks will be built which will be placed on the decks, while the existing accommodation facilities will be completely refurbished and new life saving boats with equipment installed. The rigs are also to be fitted with stabiliser pumps in order to comply with regulations.

In its role in the conversions, Alewijnse will work on a number of important systems on each rig, including the conversion of several electrical distribution systems, plus the installation of an emergency shutdown (ESD) system, back-up UPS facilities, a converter with distribution panel for the new welding shop, life boat davits, outdoor lighting and indoor lighting on the machinery deck.

Alewijnse will also deliver and install a range of new electrical infrastructure, such as panels and transformers for new equipment that will include boilers, HVAC, galley and laundry facilities, lighting distribution with emergency supply and sewage plants. Alewijnse has also been appointed to perform additional critical support activities such as system commissioning.

The projects will be supervised by Alewijnse Marine Rotterdam and Alewijnse Retec Romania, part of Alewijnse Marine Systems. The turnaround time is expected to be several months, with completion due mid November 2012.