Iolair

Not to be confused with HMS Iolaire.
Iolair on Elbe river in 1990
History
Name: Iolair
Owner:
Operator: Cotemar S.A. de C.V.
Port of registry:
Builder:
Laid down: 5 January 1980
Launched: 6 April 1981
Completed: 8 August 1982
Identification:
Status: Operational
Notes: [1]
General characteristics
Class and type: DNV: 1A1 column-stabilised unit; DYNPOS-AUTR
Tonnage: 15,765 GT; 4,746 NT
Length: 102 m (335 ft)
Beam: 76.5 m (251 ft)
Draught: 15.25 m (50.0 ft)
Installed power: 20,400kW
Propulsion:
  • Diesel-electric 6 x M18cy driving 6 generators each 3400kW
  • 4 × electric motors of 3000shp each, driving 2 propellers
  • MAN-Harland & Wolff 18ASV25/30
Speed: 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Crew: 44
Notes: [1]

Iolair (Gaelic for eagle) is a specialised semi-submersible offshore platform designed for BP to support and service oil platforms in the North Sea and served as an emergency support vessel (ESV) in the Forties Oil Field. Since 2000 she has been working in the Bay of Campeche, Mexico as an offshore construction and service vessel.

Particulars

Iolair is a self-propelled, twin hull, vessel and operates as a dynamically positioned (DP) construction support vessel. The vessel can operate up to a water depth of 488 metres (1,601 ft), is 102 metres (335 ft) long and 51 metres (167 ft) wide, and has 350 beds with single and double occupancy.

This unique vessel did not start as an ESV, but rather as the concept of a maintenance and support vessel (MSV). It was proposed for the Forties oil field, jointly owned by British National Oil Corporation and operated by BP Petroleum Development Company Ltd in the North Sea. A particular feature of the design by the Naval Architects was that there was no cross-bracing between the pontoons. Instead, the platform was given extra strength by a box-girder construction and diagonal bracing was arranged from the centre of the platform to the pontoons. This arrangement remained virtually unchanged to the build completion and offered exceptional speed when the vessel was de-ballasted on the surface. The intention was to achieve a rapid response to emergencies, wherever they might be experienced in the North Sea.

As an MSV, the vessel was always conceived to provide accommodation for about 220 persons, saturation diving facilities, a large workshop, craneage, and helicopter landing area with hangar and re-fueling. All were still featured in the eventual design but had been enhanced with other features and sophistication much of which was to support the emergency role. ESV incorporated novelty and ideas that were years ahead of their time. Indeed, part of the brief was that she should still be modern ten years after entering service.

The saturation diving system was equipped with an advanced launch and recovery system.[2]

History

She was built by Scott Lithgow in Port Glasgow, and launched on 6 April 1981.[3] In her early years, she was based in the BP Forties Oil Field.

In 1995, she was sold to U.S. drilling company Reading & Bates. She was to be converted to a workover/well intervention vessel and was stationed West of Shetland. The modifications included removal of some of the top structures, removal of the fire-fighting systems, closing of the dive tube and wave surge tank. However the intended conversion was never carried out and she was heavily involved in the installation of subsea production equipment using Remote Operated Vehicles. She was also heavily involved in the commissioning of the Foinaven and Schiehallion floating production vessels.

In 2000 she left the UK oilfields and went to the Bay of Campeche, Mexico, working in the Cantarell Field. There she carries out construction and platform support work. She was sold in 2001 by Transocean, who had taken over Reading and Bates, and is now owned by Exeter Marine Ltd. and registered in the Marshall Islands, a long way from her original registered port of Dundee in Scotland.[1]

Industry firsts

Iolair is assured of its place in history by being the subject of a 28p commemorative stamp issued by Post Office Ltd. on 25 May 1983. This was one of a series of three stamps celebrating British Engineering Achievements.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Iolair (20495)". DNV GL Vessel Register. Det Norske Veritas. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  2. ↑ Vassalos, D.; Dutta, D.; Macgregor, P. (2–5 May 1988). "An Investigation Into The Dynamics Of The Esv Iolair Wet-Diving Bell During Launch And Recovery". Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas: OTC 5705-MS. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  3. ↑ David Asprey; et al. "Clydebuilt Ships Database: de IOLAIR built by Scott Lithgow Offshore Port Glasgow". Shipping Times. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  4. ↑ "Engineering Achievements". The British Postal Museum and Archive. February 2006. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
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