UK-based BMT Nigel Gee, a subsidiary of the BMT Group, has won a design contract from Penguin Shipyard International to design two 25-metre monohull fast crew boats to be used in Nigerias offshore oil and gas industry
The two BV classed boats are being built for ARCO Marine and Oilfield Services and are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2013.
As part of the contract, BMT will also develop cost-effective fast crew transfer vessels that can fully match ARCO Marine's requirements to support Nigeria's expanding offshore sector.
ARCO Marine had presented a challenging requirement for a fast crew transfer vessel that offered high fuel efficiency along with maximum reliability and availability. An additional challenge was posed by the design of the hull, which had to be specially configured to match the existing infrastructure of the oil field.
BMT Nigel Gee technical director Ed Dudson said, “We’ve worked with Penguin Shipyard International previously on a number of projects but this is the first for the oil and gas sector, an area where Penguin are particularly strong.”
The 25-metre boats will include four MAN D2842LE405 engines and four Rolls Royce A40A3 water jets to provide maximum operational flexibility and optimum fuel efficiency at various speeds.
Each vessel will have accommodation for four crew with an endurance of four days, a range of more than 600 nautical miles and a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots.
Above deck, the design has incorporated a wheelhouse with all-round visibility for maximum safety in the oilfield and a fire monitor on the upper deck superstructure. Each vessel can also carry up to four tonnes of deck cargo.
