Uncategorised
The UT776 Island Commander entered service in 2009, and since then has been fitted out as a Well Stimulation Vessel. For those who do not know what this is, there are ships about fitted with tanks and pumping system on the deck which can be connected by pipework to an oil well, either on a mobile unit or a platform, usually maintaining station using DP. They then pump noxious fluids at high pressure down the well which - stimulates - it into greater activity.
Photograph by Scott Boulter posted here on 21st April 2016.
Photos for Picture of the Day can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The modern deepwater drill ship Stena Forth at work in the GOM. Photo by Paul Morris in 2015.
When this was written at the turn of the century the oil price was a bit lower than it is today (April 2016), and obviously since then there have been developments both with the construction of mobile units and anchor-handlers. But it all still seems pretty relevant today.
Well - how long is a piece of string? The oil industry, in its quest to overcome deep water problems, has at least began to define the parameters. Part of the answer to the question is almost certainly " not as long as the chasing pennant required to position a rig anchor in 5000 feet of water".