Drydocks World completes first tanker-MCV conversion for AET

The Eagle Texas, converted for AET, the tanker arm of Malaysian shipowner MISC, will operate in the Gulf of Mexico, as part of an agreement with Marine Well Containment Company, a consortium of oil majors.

In order to keep utilisation high, the vessel operates as a normal tanker, but would be deployed on oil capture and containment operations in the event of a spill. The vessel is capable of storing up to 700,000 barrels of oil, and is equipped with 19.68 km of pipes, 292 km of electrical cables, and equipment connecting to the riser assembly that directs the flow from the subsea components, separate liquid from gas, storing the liquids and flaring the gas.

On top of this, four retractable azimuth thrusters and one bow tunnel thruster for maneovreability, with the engine modified for CPP operation and a dynamic positioning control system added.

“We are aggressively targeting the global oil and gas and energy sectors as part of our business. Our emphasis on safety and efficient project management has helped in the delivery of this challenging project,” said Khamis Buamim, DDW chairman.

“This first-of-a-kind project… contributes to the effective management of oil wells and will contribute to enhanced industry containment capabilities by developing a significant component of the entire system.

“We are also working with several of the leading industry players, who are members of Marine Well Containment Company, on ground-breaking projects and keeping step with the knowhow and emerging technologies in this field as we seek to enhance our involvement in projects such as these.”