Bourbon receives its third IMR vessel

The Evolution series conducts IMR operations in deep water.

Bourbon took delivery of the Bourbon Evolution 803. It is the 3rd vessel in the 1st large IMR series for the offshore industry.

Resource exploration is going into increasingly deep waters and the new milestone for oil and gas marine industry operations is now at 2,500 to 3,000 meters. To meet this requirement, Bourbon has ordered 10 IMR (Inspection, Maintenance, Repair) vessels called Bourbon Evolution 800 series. The Evolution series is designed to operate in complete safety at depths of 3000m. The first two sisterships already operate in West Africa.

“The Bourbon Evolution 800 vessels are in line with the Bourbon strategy for fleet standardization and management optimization as proved by the successful choice of diesel-electric propulsion system on the Bourbon Liberty series, two large cranes that can work simultaneously and DP3 dynamic positioning.” says Christian Lefèvre, Chief Executive Officer of Bourbon.

The first vessel in the series, the Ungundja, has been operating in Angola since December 2011. After over a year of operations, the vessel installed numerous jumpers and christmas trees on the Dalia and Pazflor fields as well as other operations.

The Bourbon Evolution 802 (shown) joined the fleet in September 2012 and operates off the coast of Nigeria. Most recent addition to the series and delivered at the end of January 2013, the Bourbon Evolution 803 will soon operate in Malaysia.

The Bourbon Evolution 800 vessels have seen Bourbon launch a series that satisfies oil company requirements in terms of operational excellence, risk management and cost optimization in the deep offshore market:

• Increased redundancy for improved reliability - The vessels have 7 diesel-electric generators, 2 machine rooms, 2 electric rooms, 2 VSAT communication systems, 2 cranes that can work simultaneously, 3 stern propellers and 3 bow propellers.

• Better maneuverability for safe operations - The vessels provide DP3, in addition to six propellers on each vessel.

• Interior layout designed for client comfort - The vessels provide clients with a dedicated deck with features required for optimized management: IT and communication system and wide view of operations.

• Reduced operations costs - The vessels are equipped with an economical diesel-electric propulsion system, whose 7 diesel-electric generators have improved energy management, thus saving fuel.

The series was designed to provide a range of operational configurations e.g. to accommodate over 200 people (floatel), support well intervention operations (wireline) and well testing operations (well-testing).

The series’ original configuration enables it to combat fire and pollution. The “stand-by” functions enable vessels to fight fire, rescue people from the water and deploy floating barriers to isolate hydrocarbons in the water and store them in the holds.