Morrison Acquires Pipelay and Diving Fleet

The provider of  comprehensive services to oil and maritime companies,  Chet Morrison Contractors (Morrison) has acquired two pipelay/construction barges and a saturation diving system from an undisclosed seller in a move to double the size of its pipelay barge fleet.

Louisiana based energy services company said in a press release that the first asset it acquired is LB Super Chief, a 265 ft x 72 ft ABS-classed pipelay barge with accommodations for 93 personnel. It is outfitted with a 100 KIP pipe tensioner, is U.S. flagged and provides extended capabilities for pipe size and water depth lay and recovery.

It also acquired DLB Subsea Vision, a 415 ft x 100 ft ABS-classed pipelay and construction barge with accommodations for up to 140 personnel. It is outfitted with a PDI Large Diameter Pipelay System with a 100 KIP pipe tensioner, a Seatrax 300-ton crane and a moonpool.

The saturation diving system, on the other hand, is a 12-man ABS-classed portable IMCA compliant diving system capable of diving to depths up to 1,000 ft.

The acquisition complements Morrison’s existing fleet of pipelay barges consisting of the CM-15, CM-9 and MORRISON’s two six-man saturation diving systems, a portable system and one installed on the DSV Joanne Morrison, a 240 ft saturation diving vessel and the largest of its class in the Gulf of Mexico with a 70-ton subsea crane.

The DSV Joanne Morrison recently completed a major dry dock with upgrades to the vessel and diving systems resulting in enhanced performance for safety and operational assurance.

Chet Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are excited about this strategic acquisition as it will significantly enhance our capabilities for greater pipe size and water depth operations; globally broaden our service offerings to our clients; and offer employment opportunities for many mariners, divers and other craftsmen. This coupled with our ongoing upgrades to our existing fleet demonstrates the commitment to our clients, employees and the overall industry, reinforcing Morrison as the trusted subsea infrastructure solution.”