Flexible Line Laying Vessel "SUNRISE 2000"- A New Step Into Deep Water
Authors: Archambaud D.G. , Coflexip D.G. , de Boom W.C. 
Published: October 2008

As the offshore oil production is gradually extending into deeper waters, the application of flexible lines increases. To be prepared for the demand for laying equipment of flexible lines in water depths ranging up to 2000 m, Coflexip realised a specific vessel, the "SUNRISE 2000". Based on an existing heavy module carrier, a sophisticated installation vessel was developed, capable to lay up to 3 flexible lines simultaneously.

The vessel, converted in South Korea during the second half of 1994, became operational in February 1995..

The paper presents the main features of the vessel and the way its successful conversion was achieved..

1.INTRODUCTION

In view of the significant deep water developments at the Brazilian continental shelf, Petrobras was soliciting in 1992 for a flexible line laying vessel, capable to layflexible lines in water depths up to 1500 m. The vessel was required to be operational early 1995. Following a successful period of competitive bidding, Coflexip took up the challenge to develop a vessel, whichwould provide the required capabilities economically and in time..

Because of the restraints in the time schedule, the new installation ship had to be based on the conversion of an existing vessel. The heavy module carrier "MS Sunrise" was allocated as a suitable candidate for conversion, The relatively strong hull structure and original twin propulsion system, offered by the "MS Sunrise", werenearly the only items which could remain unmodified by the conversion..

Radical changes had to be made to the vessel in order to integrate the facilities for simultaneous laying of threelines, the storage of these lines in three rotating baskets with a total capacity of 3800 tonnes, the provision of DPcapability with the necessary power generation capacity, and the required safety and accommodation provisions for a total complement of 70 persons..

2.OVERVIEW OF VESSEL PARTICULARS

After conversion, the "SUNRISE 2000" has become a multi-purpose vessel with the following keycharacteristics:

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3.VESSEL DESIGN

General

In the phase of competitive bidding, Coflexip allocated the "MS Sunrise" as a suitable candidate for conversion. With assistance from an engineering consultant, the concept of the installation vessel was developed. Anoutline technical specification was prepared for the purpose of budget definition. When the contract had been awarded, Coflexip's project team decided to prepare a complete design and specification of the intended conversion, in order to create a solid basis for a conversion contract with a ship ard.

IHC Gusto Engineering b.v. of Schiedam, the Netherlands, was elected to develop the design and the conversion specification, in close co-operation with Coflexip's specialists..

The design was reviewed by Lloyd's Register of Shipping, which Society was also selected to survey the detailed design and construction works at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, South Korea, to allow the converted vessel to be classified with the following notation: 100 Al, LMC, DP(AA) with descriptive notation Flexible Line Laying Vessel..

The "SUNRISE 2000" is considered a Special Purpose Ship with between 50 and 200 special personnel onboard, in accordance with IMO resolution.