Apr. 2002 Vol. 223 No. 4  European Technology Round Up
Netherlands
Conversion of Balder semisubmersible crane vessel into MDCV completed

An extensive, complex conversion of Heerema Marine Contractors’ semi-submersible crane vessel, Balder, into a multipurpose deepwater construction vessel (MDCV) has been successfully completed, after more than 1.2 million man-hours were spent on this project.

Installation of the pipelay tower’s 500-t support module on the MDCV Balder.

After almost 11 months in the Verolme Botlek offshore / ship repair yard’s 405-m-long (1,329-ft), 90-m-wide (295-ft) dry dock, the Balder left on the night of Nov. 10, 2001, and was towed to the deepwater basin in the Caland canal. There, seven thrusters were mounted beneath the floaters. Following completion of this work, the Balder started sea trials. The departure brought to a successful conclusion the largest conversion project ever carried out by this yard. Major conversion programs had previously been carried out on the Petrobrás XXIII semi-submersible drilling rig and the semi-submersible crane vessel Saipem 7000. 

Conversion of the Balder was bigger than either one of these projects, in terms of both size and complexity. One special feature of the Balder conversion was that three major project components were simultaneously handled. These included installation of a complete dynamic positioning package, implementation of a lifetime enhancement project and installation of facilities for receiving the 120-m-high (394-ft) pipe-laying tower, which weighed 2,300 t.

Considerable extra work also had to be carried out. Thanks to sound preparations and a solid project organization, all work was completed on time. In terms of engineering, manufacture, installation, commissioning and hand-over, all work was completed according to a strict timetable. Even in the peak period, when there were more than 1,100 people working on board the Balder at any one time, everything ran smoothly. Thus, the Balder was released from dock on the date agreed with Heerema, and the official re-delivery protocol was signed on Jan. 11, 2002.

Heerema had the Balder converted to permit the vessel to take on a key role as a multipurpose construction vessel in the growing deepwater installation market. In its new configuration as an MDCV, the Balder will be put to work for the foreseeable future in the Gulf of Mexico.