Subsea 7 and Royal IHC join forces for integrated reel lay vessel

Royal IHC
Royal IHC – Royal IHC’s reel lay vessel for Subsea 7.

Royal IHC and Subsea 7 have signed a contract for the design and build of a new reel lay vessel.

Capable of installing complex rigid flowlines, including pipe-in-pipe systems, the high-specification vessel has compact dimensions that are enhanced by the positioning of its three engine rooms and main reel, efficient use of the superstructure, and low-profile pipe lay ramp.

The use of space opens a large aft working deck, while the optimised mass distribution minimises the ballast water requirement.

The design of the reel lay system focuses on operational efficiency and flexibility, alongside crew safety. The twin tensioner pipe lay ramp tilts to allow pipeline installation from shallow waters to depths of up to 3,000 metres.

The large multi-level workstation optimises the efficiency of operations in and around the firing line, while a fixed auxiliary reel recessed into the main deck gives payload flexibility.

“Based on the ratio between top pipe tension and payload to displacement, this will be one of the most cost-effective vessels to enter the market,” said Royal IHC CEO Dave Vander Heyde.


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