The first major offshore subsea construction project I participated in was the epic installation of Heidrun, at the time in May and June of 1995, the world’s first-ever floating concrete tension-leg platform (TLP) in the North Sea. We installed sixteen three-hundred and fifty-metre-long steel tension legs between the seabed bases and the platform over eight weeks, working on board the HL DSV Amethyst. A demanding and challenging job, I worked in the capacity of Foreman.
Subsequently, in 1997 I was aboard the PSV Rescue Saga, working as a foreman/supervisor on tasks that evolved into a large project spanning several years. The Vigdis and Tordis templates subsidence problems; these projects were in parallel but second to saturation diving. From 2000, my time was spent more as a shift supervisor. In June 2001, my saturation diving career ceased. The construction projects became more complex, often in deeper waters and of even larger scopes on larger, more versatile offshore subsea construction vessels.
The offshore Subsea construction between 1995-2021 included major subsea intervention projects and contracts. Among others, MPSV Far Saga (Sweden) and the AHT MPSV Maersk Asserter (Scotland) major yard / dock conversions, Greater Plutonio (Angola), Vigdis & Tordis satellites (Norway), Kaldstø (Norway), Draugen (Norway), Cleiba (Equatorial Guinea), Åsgard (Norway), Frigg (Norway), Ormen Lange (Norway), Vesterled (Norway), Heidrun (Norway), Girassol “MATIS” tie-ins (Angola), Britannia Satellites (UK), Saxi Batiqe (Congo), Heimdal & Grane (Norway), Moho Bilindo (Congo), Frade (Brazil), Pluto (Australia), Gumusut Kakap (Malaysia), CO-GA (Gabon), Wintershall (Holland), E.G.3.P.B. (Nigeria), Lan Do (Vietnam), P.R.S. (North Sea), G.D.F. (North Sea), Gjoa (Norway), Vega (Norway), Norne (Norway), Gorgon-Janz (Australia), T.N.K. (Vietnam), Holstein Spar G.O.M. (USA), H.H.I. (Thailand), M.L.S. (Brunei), FMOG G.O.M. (USA), BDM (Myanmar), S.P.D.C. 48” repair scope (Nigeria), W.N.D. Gas field (Egypt), four decks / ARABIA / S.F.N.Y. / Hasbah II (Saudi Arabia), YOLLA M.L.E. (Australia), Snorre EXP bundle tow & installation (Norway), Marjan 28 decks (Saudi Arabia) and S.V.D.N. Development (Vietnam).
Subsea 7 – Rigid Flowlines and Risers
The traditional sailor was not defined by his looks. He was defined by his attitude; his name was Jack Tar. He was a happy go lucky sort of a bloke; he took the good times with the bad.
He didn’t cry victimisation, bastardisation, discrimination or call for his mum when things didn’t go his way.
He took responsibility for his own, sometimes, self-destructive actions.
…He loved a laugh at anything or anybody. Rank, gender, race, creed or behaviour, it didn’t matter to Jack, he would take the piss out of anyone, including himself. If someone took it out of him he didn’t get offended; it was a natural part of life. If he offended someone else, so be it. Free from many of the rules of polite society, Jack’s manners were somewhat rough. His ability to swear was legendary.
He would stand up for his mates. Jack was extravagant with his support to those he thought needed it. He may have been right or wrong, but that didn’t matter. Jack’s mate was one of the luckiest people alive.
Jack loved women. He loved to chase them to the ends of the earth, and sometimes he even caught one. (Less often than he would have you believe, though.) His tales of the chase and its conclusion, win or lose, is the stuff of legends.
Jack’s favourite drink was beer, and he could drink it like a fish. His actions, when inebriated, would, on occasion, land him in trouble. But, he took it on the chin, did his punishment and then went and did it all again.
Jack loved his job. He took immense pride in what he did. His radar was always the best in the fleet. His engines always worked better than anyone else’s. His eyes could spot a contact before anyone else’s and shoot at it first. It was a matter of personal pride. Jack was the consummate professional when he was at work and sober.
He was a bit like a mischievous child. He had a gleam in his eye and a larger than life outlook.
He was as rough as guts. You had to be pig-headed and thick-skinned to survive. He worked hard and played hard. His masters tut-tutted at some of his more exuberant expressions of joie de vivre, and the occasional bout of number 9’s or stoppage let him know where his limits were.
The late 20th Century and on, has seen the demise of Jack. The workplace no longer echoes with ribald comments and bawdy tales. Someone is sure to take offence. Whereas those stories of daring-do and ingenuity in the face of adversity, usually whilst pissed, lack the audacity of the past.
A wicked sense of humour is now a liability rather than a necessity. Jack has been socially engineered out of existence. What was once normal is now offensive. Denting someone else’s over-inflated opinion of their own self worth is now a crime.
(Many Thanks to Ginge Cundell for originally penning the above ode).
See below the last gallery for a list of various construction vessels that I have worked on.
PLEASE NOTE: This page contains several offshore subsea construction Galleries, please scroll down to see them all.
Click on the images for a larger view.
Various Offshore Subsea Construction – 1969-2021
This gallery has an assortment of images related to North Sea oil and gas field exploration and images taken throughout my offshore subsea construction career on numerous vessels worldwide, and includes several depictions of the equipment and technology utilised.
Offshore Drilling Vessels – Rigs
Various Offshore Installation Designs
Ekofisk Field – Norwegian Sector – North Sea
Norwegian North Sea Pipelines
HL RPLV Sapura 3000 – DWLS
Condeep GBS Northsea PlatformsPlatforms typesMODU Ocean Traveler – 1966TLP – Tension Leg PlatformHeidrun – Tension Leg Platform – ModelTension Leg Platform – InstallationsDeep Water Platform MilestonesShell – Draugen Platform – North Sea – 3DGirassol Riser tower – Cross section – 2001DUCO Umbilical – Cut Through Internal ViewGirassol Riser tower – FPSO – 2001Girassol Riser tower – Top end Float – 2001Greater Plutonio – Angola – 2007Typical Cross Section of a Flexible PipeTypical Cross Section of a Flexible PipeTypical Cross Section of a Flexible PipeSubsea – Vertical Clamp ConnectorDSTI Subsea SwivelsMuch Improved – Vertical Flexible – Tie-in Subsea ConnectorSubsea Mooring SystemSubsea Mooring SystemGumusut FPSShell – Draugen Platform – North SeaUmbilical – Cross SectionOffshore Pipelay Companies – 2017Rigid Pipelay Evolution 1947-2001SPAR PlatformsSPAR-Platform-GenerationsSPAR Platform ComponentsNorth Sea SunsetC.P. Baker – Blowout – GOM – 30.06.1964MODU Ocean Prince – 06.03.1968Jack-Up Mr. Cap – 1965MODU Sea Quest (Renamed – Sedco 135C) – 1966-1980MV Hector Gannet -1968MV Hector Gannet – 15.11.1968Jack-Up Constellation – Capsized-Sank – North Sea – 25.11.1969MODU Ocean Viking – Block 24 – North Sea – 1969Brown and Root – DLB 324 – Built 1973Sikorsky S-61N LN-OQA – July 1973HLV Blue Whale – 1976MODU West Venture – Frigg – North Sea – 1977Ekofisk Bravo – Blowout – North Sea – 22.04.1977Maersk Explorer – Blowout – North Sea – 14.10.1977MS Seaway Petrel – 1982-1985 – Built in 1936Concem Capsizing – Gullfaks B Platform – Gandsfjorden – 04.11.1985BP Fortes field – HL Heerema Challanger – 1970’sMODU Ocean Ranger – Canada – 15.02.1982MODU Ocean Ranger – Canada – 15.02.1982MODU West Venture – PETAS – NDT Inspection – 1983Bell 212 LN-OQV – DS Bucentaur Helideck- April 1984 – Photo S StieMS Seaway Sandpiper Kyllingøy Haugesund -1984Boeing Vertol 234 LR G-BISO – 02.05.1984Freefall Life Boat Bergen- 1988Freefall Life Boat Bergen- 1988Freefall Life Boat Bergen- 1988Freefall Life Boat Bergen- 1988Freefall Life Boat Bergen- 1988North Sea – Brent B – Hurricane Force Violent StormNorth Sea – Brent B – Hurricane Force Violent StormNorth Sea – Brent C – Hurricane Force Violent StormStatfjord A – StormWeather North Sea – PSV in Heavy SwellEkofisk 2-4B – North Sea StormMODU West Vanguard – Blowout – North Sea – 06.10.1985MODU Ocean Odyssey – Blowout – North Sea – 21.09.1988Jack-Up West Gamma – Storm – Capsized – 1990 AJack-Up West Gamma – Storm – Capsized – 1990 BJack-Up West Gamma – Storm – Capsized – 1990 CJack-Up West Gamma – Storm – Capsized – 1990 DTLP Heidrun – Floating Tension Leg Platform – North Sea – 1994MSV Amethyst – 1994 – 1995MSV Amethyst – 1995PSV Rescue Saga – Mike M – Paal S Dinessen – 1998PSV Rescue Saga – Snorre North Sea – 1998PSV Rescue Saga – Vigdis – Jacking-frame – 1998PSV Rescue Saga – Vigdis – Jacking-frame – 1998PSV Rescue Saga – Vigdis – A-frame – Airbag Assembly – 1998PSV Rescue Saga – Vigdis – Jacking-frame – 1998PSV Rescue Saga – Vigdis – ROV – 1998MPSV Viking Poseidon – North Sea – 1999DSV Seaway Condor – Carousel – Photo N M Sørhaug – 1999MPSV Seaway Kingfisher – North Sea – 2001MPSV Seaway Kingfisher – HaugesundMPSV Seaway Explorer – MATIS – 2001MPSV Seaway Explorer – MATIS – Modular Advanced Tie Inn System – 2001MPSV Seaway Explorer – MatisRPLV – Pipelay StingerFPSO Girrasol – Angola – 2001FPSO Girassol – Angola – First Gas & Oil – 29.12.2001Triton La Ceiba – Equatorial Guinea – 2002Allseas DP pipelay vessel Lorelay – ROV DamageAllseas DP pipelay vessel Lorelay – ROV DamageAllseas DP pipelay vessel Lorelay – ROV DamageAngola – Santo António do Zaire – Mid 2000’sSaipem FDS – 2001 (Angola)Craig Sullivan – Saudi ArabiaBernard Fabish – Craig Sullivan – Saudi ArabiaBHN Platform – Mumbai High North – India – 27.07.2005Clamp – Rope Access – North SeaClamp – Rope Access – North SeaAcergy OMDP Course Cranfield University – 2006Paal S D – Graham Legg – Seminar – Scotland 2008FPLV Petrinacia – Brazil 2009MSV Toisa Proteus – Flexible Lay – Australia – 2009RPLB Acergy Orion – 2010MPSV Toisa Proteus – Pluto – 2010Congo and Gabon – CoGa-Tender-2010FPLV Skandi 7 – 2012RPLV Normand Oceanic – GOM – 2015-2016RPLV Normand Oceanic – GOM – 2015-2016RPLV Normand Oceanic – GOM – 2015-2016RPLV Normand Oceanic – GOM – 2015-2016E-Ban Superstars – 2016MSV Bull Ray MSV – Creole Fish – NigeriaMSV Bull Ray – Nigeria – 2016MSV Bull Ray – Nigeria – 2016MSV Bull Ray – Nigeria – 2016Nigeria – MSV Bull Ray – 48 Inch Sabotage – 2016Nigeria – MSV Bull Ray – 48 Inch Sabotage – 2016Nigeria – Seven Inaga – Jackup – De-spudding – 2016DSV 7 Eagle – Bridge Control – Egypt 2017DSV Seven Kestrel – 2017 – by Amanda Jane WhiteSeaway KestrelReel Lay Seaway Kestrel – Built 1978Acergy Piper (LB200) at Sleipner Øst – Langeled – 2004Reel Lay Seaway Kestrel – Built 1978LCV HL Siem Spearfish – North Sea – 2019LCV HL Siem Spearfish – North Sea – 2019Raja WF – Teduka RF – Bernard WS – Seven BorealisBarnard Fabish – Welding Superintendant (Center of Image)LB200 – Acergy PiperLB 200 – Acergy PiperLB200 – Acergy PiperUsumacinta – Kab 101, 121 – GOM 23.10.2007Acergy Deck Carousel – Onboard a Happy HL ShipHL PLV Polaris – Aftermath of Spiral Strand wire – Tensioner slippageHL PLV Polaris – Aftermath of Spiral Strand wire – Tensioner slippageMooring Chain – FlakingAnchor Chain – Sharks Jaws – Kenterlink – Roller – WhalebackShift Sup Station – MPSV Havila HarmonyVLS – Dual Tensioners – Open – Recovering Flexable RiserBourbon – Surfer 186525.6 meter – Draupner Wave 01.01.1995 – North SeaRichard (Rick) Marshall – Jaw Damage – 2011DSV Seaway CommanderMPSV Seaway Hawk II – Built 1978MPSV Seaway Legend – Built 1985Eurocopter AS 332L Super Puma G-BKZE – DS West Navion – 12.11.2001PSV Seaway PermKolskaya Jack-Up Barge Disaster – 18.12.2011C-Worker 7 ASV- Egypt 2017C-Worker 7 ASV- With OBS ROVMODU Ocean GuardianDSV Seaway Eagle – AHT Maersk Asserter – Angola – Greater Plutonio – 2007AHT Maersk Asserter – Angola 2007AHT Maersk Asserter – Main Winch Overdrum – 2007AHT Maersk Asserter – Main Winch Overdrum – 2007AHT Maersk Asserter – Main Winch Overdrum – 2007AHT Maersk Asserter – Main Winch Overdrum slide – 2007AHT Maersk Asserter – Main Winch Overdrum – 2007AHT Maersk Asserter – Main Winch Overdrum – 2007Huisman 150 Metric Ton Top Tension Flex-Lay System – FPLV Norman Vision & FPLV Ocean InstalllerHuisman 150 Metric Ton Top Tension Flex-Lay System – FPLV Toisa ProteusHuisman 340 Metric Ton Top Tension Flex-Lay System – FPLV Seven MarHuisman 340 Metric Ton Top Tension Flex-Lay System – FPLV Skandi Recife & VardHuisman 550 Metric Ton Top Tension – Tiltable Flex-Lay System – FPLV Seven, Waves, Rio, Sun & CruzeiroHuisman 650 Metric Ton Top Tension Flex-Lay System – FPLV Skandi Africa
Notable Offshore Incidents – 1964-2015
MPSV Far Saga – 2002-2006
IMR/Survey & Light Offshore Subsea Construction – Length Overall 89.40m (96.80m with Helideck) – Breadth 18.80m – Gross Tonnage 4,439 – 100t Main crane (Double fall) & moonpool – 1 x work class ROV + 1 x OBS class ROV – Accommodation 63 persons – DP Class II – Built 2001.
MPSV Far Saga – ROV Legends – 2002MPSV Far Saga – Northsea OsebergMPSV Far Saga – Northsea OsebergMPSV Far Saga – Northsea OsebergMPSV Far Saga WeatherMPSV Far Saga WeatherMPSV Far Saga – Moonpool – Marginal WeatherMPSV Far Saga – Main Deck Awash – Marginal WeatherMPSV Far Saga – Main Deck Awash – Marginal WeatherMPSV Far Saga – Main Deck – MobilisationMPSV Far Saga – Launch of Adjustable Pipeline crossingMPSV Far Saga – SCV 27 Anchor Chain DamageMPSV Far Saga – SCV 27 Anchor Chain DamageMPSV Far SagaMPSV Far Saga – SS Control DeskMPSV Far Saga – SS Control DeskMPSV Far Saga – SCV 27 Survey – Geir Jarness – Oddmund Flatnes – 2003
FPLV Polar Queen – 2006-2009
Flexible pipelay and construction – Length 144.60m – Breadth 27.03m – Gross Tonnage 14,502 – 300t Main crane – 340t Tiltable Flexible lay system – two x vertical four-track tensioners – two x 1600t carousels – Stern A-Frame – Heave Compensated 400t A&R winch – two x work class ROVs – Accommodation 121 persons – DP Class II – Built 2001. (Polar Queen renamed Seven Mar in 2011.)
FPLV Polar QueenFPLV Polar QueenFPLV Polar QueenFPLV Polar QueenFPLV Polar QueenFPLV Polar QueenFPLV Polar QueenFPLV Polar QueenFPLV Polar QueenFPLV Polar QueenDenmark – FPLV Polar Queen – Loadout NKT – 2008FPLV Polar Queen – Switchboard – 2008FPLV Polar Queen – CarouselFPLV Polar Queen – Crew Brazil 2009FPLV Polar Queen – Inline SledFPLV Polar Queen – Inline SledFPLV Polar Queen – Load out DenmarkFPLV Polar Queen – RDS and ReelsFPLV Polar Queen – Roll – Congo 2008FPLV Polar Queen – TLSMPSV Polar Queen – TLS work TableFPLV Polar Queen – 2nd End in CarouselFPLV – Polar Queen – ACV – 3000 msv Rated Work Class ROVFPLV Polar Queen – Alvin Presbitero – Arnold Alcantara – HydratightFPLV Polar Queen – Load OutFPLV Polar Queen – RDS & ReelsFPLV Polar Queen – TLS Inline SledFPLV Polar Queen – TLS Work TableFPLV Polar Queen – TLSMPSV Polar Queen – Billy PughFPLV Polar Queen – 4 Trac k TensionerFPLV Polar Queen – ACV – 3000 msv Rated Work Class ROVFPLV Polar Queen – Loadout – Danmark 2007FPLV Polar Queen – Loadout – Danmark 2007FPLV Polar Queen – Loadout – Danmark 2007NKT Flexibles – Danmark 2007NKT Flexibles – Loadout – Danmark 2007FPLV Polar Queen – Shiftsupervisors DeskNicolas Holl – 2007POQ Brazil – Inline Sled – 2008POQ Brazil – Inline Sled – 2008POQ Brazil – Abandonment & Recovery Rigging – 2008POQ Brazil – Inline Sled – Hydratight – 2008POQ Brazil – Loading Flexible Reels – 2008POQ Brazil – Laying Flexible – 2008POQ Brazil – Flexible flowline with Bend restrictors & gooseneck connector – 2008Frade Brazil – POQ Loading Reels – 2008Frade Brazil – POQ Loading Reels – 2008Frade Field Brazil – Subsea LayoutPOQ – Flexible – Bend Restrictor InstallmentPOQ TLS – InternalPOQFPLV Polar Queen – FPSO Frade – Brazil 2009
RPLV Acergy Falcon – 2011-2012
Rigid & flexible pipelay and offshore subsea construction – Length 152.85m (with ramp 161.85m) x Breadth 21m – Gross Tonnage 10,472 – 64t Main crane + 22.5t & 32t cranes – Center firing line (seven work stations) – Up to 14-inch rigid pipelay system – PR 2, or PR 400 piggyback reel – 1 x 1600t carousel – Racked pipe hold – two x work class ROVs – Accommodation 141 persons – DP Class II – Built 1976 as a drill ship converted to pipelay in 1995. (Seaway Falcon renamed Acergy Falcon in 2006.)
Subsea 7 Offshore Subsea Construction Fleet Safety Statistics for January 2012 – RPLB “Acergy Antares” EGP3B project – Offshore the Nigerian Delta – A Diabolically Hellish Pipelay Project.
HL RPLV Sapura 3000 – 2012-2016
Rigid pipelay & heavy construction – Length 152.20m – Breadth 37.80m – Gross Tonnage 32,060t – 3,000t Main crane + two x 40t pipe handling cranes – 240t Rigid S pipelay system up to 60 Inch (three x 80t horizontal two-track (top & bottom track) tensioners) Centre firing line (nine work stations) – 340t A&R winch – 90m stinger – two x work class ROVs – Can perform above water tie-ins – Accommodation 330 persons – DP Class II – Built 2008.
S3K – Gorgon in Western Australian waters, from October 2013 through February 2014 (16 months), a total of +800,000 person-hours were worked onboard without lost time incidents during this project. The HL RPLV Sapura 3000 and her crew carried out the heaviest and deepest subsea lifts in the company’s history to date. I worked aboard the S3K as a Shift Supervisor from May 2012 through February 2016.
Rigid pipelay & heavy offshore subsea construction – Length 142.00m – Breadth 40.00m – Gross Tonnage 25,112 – 2,200t Main crane + two x 68t pipe handling cranes – 200t rigid S pipelay system up to 56-inch (two x 100t horizontal two-track (with side by side track’s) tensioners) – Centre firing line (eight+one work stations) – 220t A&R winch – 67m stinger – one x work class ROV – Can perform above water tie-ins and flexible side lay – Accommodation 360-470 persons – DP Class II and Anchor mooring system – Built 2007.
Awarded to the Bullray crew by Subsea 7 Corporate Management
Special Achievement Award – 48 Pipeline Repair
The Last Hoorah
Paal S. D. 30 years later – 1991-2021
Going away cake from my final offshore subsea construction trip spent aboard the Mighty HL RPLV Seven Champion prior to my retirement, a great end to thirty (1991-2021) blessed safe, (serious injury-free) years working both under and upon the ocean’s surface for Subsea 7 worldwide. Thirty years filled with wonderful professional, dedicated, brilliant SS7 people from all corners of the world! Wonderful times, a sea filled with beautiful memories. I would humbly like to personally thank everyone (you all know who you are) for the caring companionship and comradeship shown throughout the often demanding, epic, complex construction projects, and wish you all from the bottom of my heart, the very best of luck. GOD SPEED with your journeys and futures.
Below is a list of various offshore subsea construction vessels that I have worked on between 1994 and 2021 in the capacity of shift supervisor or equivalent role.
HL-MSV Amethyst 1994-1995
PSV Rescue Saga. 1998.
MSV Smit Semi I. 1998.
PSV Havila Runde. 1999.
MPSV Viking Poseidon. 1999-2001.
MODU Bideford Dolphin. 1999-2000.
MODU Vest Delta. 2000.
MPSV Seaway Kingfisher. 2001.
MPSV Seaway Explorer. 2001-2002.
MPSV Far Saga. 2002-2006.
AHT-MPSV Maersk Asserter. 2006-2007.
FPLV-MPSV Polar Queen. 2006-2010.
FPLV-MPSV-DSV Toisa Protus. 2010.
MPSV Havila Harmony. 2010.
MPSV Acergy Viking. 2011.
RPLV Acergy Falcon. 2011-2012.
RPLB Acergy Antares. 2011-2012.
FPLV – MPSV Skandi Seven 2012.
RPLV – HL Sapura 3000. 2012-2016.
FPLV – MPSV Normand Oceanic. 2015-2016.
MSV Bull Ray. (Jack up). 2016.
MSV Creole Fish. (Jack up). 2016.
DSV – FPLV Seven Eagle. 2017.
RPLB Seven Antares. 2017.
RPLV – HL Seven Champion. 2018-2021.
MPSV Seim Spearfish. 2020.
DSV – MPSV Kreuz Installer. 2021.
Offshore Subsea Construction equipment used and non-diving construction performed but not limited to.
ROV Scope: Eight manifold elevations +300m +160 tons and pipeline support scope / covering the whole scope of ROV subsea interventions / GE-CART, GE-HCC30, GE-HCC60, MATIS, ABB CPRT, UTIS, ROMV, ICARUS, RTS, CAT12, CAT30, FMC JMC RT, CVC and ROVCON operations, satellite well intervention, (jacket launching, tow, positioning and piling), FPSO mooring leg lays, KOS, FCM, SCM, HIPPS, KOP PICT, VCMs, SLEDs, PLEMs, FLETs, FMC VCT RT, One Subsea CVC, Big Brother CT, ERB / Plane dredging / UMB triple lay & pull-ins / Commissioning / Metrology / Tie-ins of UMB/ Flow lines / Risers to FPUs, FPSO, CLAM Buoys, SBMs, Gravity based platforms / Spools / T-1 Trenching / Flexible and UMB lays + pull-ins / Heavy lifts up to 3300te / Rigid lay pipelines up to 36”/ Above water tie-ins & flange welding/ Shallow launched rigid risers / & Spool fabrications ++++.
Flexible Lay: Vertical and tilt-able lay systems in deep & ultra-deep water worldwide up to 18”.
Rigid Lay: J & S & horizontal lay of coated 6”, 8”, 12”, 14”, 16”, 24” and 36” including piggy-backed coiled tubing or UMBs + S lay up to 36” including chrome & clad pipe + launched risers + above water outboard tie-ins using davit systems and multiple beach pulls. Automatic welding Serimax and Lincoln systems.
