Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Marine Services (GMS) has won three new contracts worth around $46 million for transformer installation in the German offshore sector for its jackup barge GMS Endeavour.
The self-elevating self-propelled E-Class vessel, which has been occupied on wind farm installations and maintenance projects, has just commenced the first of the new contracts with Keppel Offshore & Marine, and contracts with ABB Group and Siemens will take her through to the second quarter of 2014. Sister barge GMS Endurance also recently began a new contract with ConocoPhillips in the Southern North Sea.
The company, which has a fleet of nine jackup barges with current commitments worth $460 million, is seeing an increasing demand for its niche E-Class assets. These vessels are highly adaptable, providing a multi-purpose solution for a variety of offshore operations anywhere in the world.
Duncan Anderson, GMS chief executive, says: “Our ability to customise our fleet to suit the individual requirements of our clients is one of our biggest selling points. This, along with our attainment of UK North Sea Safety Case, makes us flexible and able to offer maneuverable harsh weather jackup barges in a variety of different configurations for offshore projects in the oil, gas and renewables sectors.”
The E-Class jackup barges, which have accommodation capabilities for up to 150 people, have the competitive edge over conventional jackup barges. Their dynamic positioning (DP2) allows them to move under their own power and ensures high accuracy positioning alongside platforms. Anchor handling tug support is not required and they can move faster, around eight knots compared to four knots. The weather window to move infield for a conventional barge is an average of four days, while the GMS E-Class can do it in a day.
[mappress]
Press release, April 23, 2013; Image: gmsuae