TPi November 2013

business & market news

Contract for pipelay support vessels A joint venture formed by Technip and DOF has been awarded by Petróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) eight contracts, covering the construction of four new pipelay support vessels (PLSVs) and operation in Brazilian waters to install flexible pipes. The combined value for Technip is approximately €1.35bn. Under the joint venture agreement, Technip will manage flexible pipelay, and DOF will be responsible for marine operations. Delivery of the PLSVs is scheduled for 2016-2017. Contracts will last eight years from start of operations, and could be renewed for another eight- year period.

that our cooperation with Technip on the Skandi Vitória and Skandi Niterói has been successful, and reinforces our position as a leading provider of offshore vessels to the Brazilian O&G industry. It comes as a result of our long-term focus on the Brazilian market and is an acknowledgment of the expertise of our people.” Roy Reite, Vard’s chief executive officer and executive director, commented, “I look forward to working with Technip and DOF on these milestone projects. Vard yards both in Europe and Brazil being chosen to build these vessels illustrates the value of having a global presence when working with international clients, and bringing leading edge technology to new markets.”

Frédéric Delormel, Technip’s executive vice president and chief operating officer subsea, commented, “This strategic contract reinforces our subsea leadership in Brazil and our long- term relationship with Petrobras. We are confident that these new state-of- the-art PLSVs, including two with the most important flexible pipelay tension capacity in the world – 650 tons – will be key assets for our client to successfully achieve its projects offshore Brazil.”

Two of the PLSVs will have a 300- ton laying tension capacity and will be fabricated in Brazil with a high national content. The other two vessels will be designed to achieve a 650-ton laying tension capacity, enabling the installation of large diameter flexible pipes in ultra-deepwater environments, such as the Brazilian pre-salt. Vard Holdings Limited, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of offshore and specialised vessels, will be in charge of the design and construction of the four PLSVs.

Technip – France www.technip.com

Mons S Aase, DOF’s chief executive officer, added, “The contracts confirm

Prisma wins ‘red dot’ award for product design

These integral design features, combined with advanced software and multiple inspection modes, enable the Prisma to step up to all testing applications in a variety of challenging environments, from oil pipelines to aerospace components. With integral data recording and automatic PDF report generation, the Prisma has wireless and Ethernet connectivity, allowing the unit to be easily upgraded or diagnosed remotely. Prof Dr Peter Zec, initiator and CEO of red dot, has pointed out that strong design competence and economic success go hand-in-hand: “The winners of the ‘red dot award: product design 2013’ are the protagonists of a highly developed design culture and design industry. These days it is becoming more and more difficult to distinguish between well-designed products. It is often only in the details that the special qualities become apparent. However, those product creations that pass the test before the critical eyes of the

The skills and expertise of Sonatest Ltd, in partnership with LA Design, impressed the 37-strong jury of industry experts who judged the ‘red dot award: product design awards in 2013’ with the new Prisma. Those who succeed in winning their class group are able to associate themselves with the red dot branding and positioning within an internationally recognised field of product design appreciation and expertise. This year the red dot competition received 4,662 entries in 19 different categories. Designed for non-invasive material testing in extreme environments, the Prisma incorporates advanced real-time imaging and 3D scanning, making flaw interpretation easier, and reducing technician time on-site. Design features include advanced heat dissipation, shock-absorbing over- moulding, anti-vibration mounts, high- end waterproofing, user ergonomics and a highly engineered skeleton for enhanced robustness.

Sonatest’s Prisma is a 2013 red dot award winner

international red dot jury will not fade into the crowd and will be able to fend off global competition.” Winners of the red dot recognition also benefit from their products being displayed in the red dot design museum. With around 2,000 products spread over an area of more than 4,000m 2 , the museum houses the largest exhibition of contemporary design worldwide.

Sonatest Ltd – UK sales@sonatest.com www.sonatest.com

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November 2013 Tube Products International