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Thanks to its strong investment capacity, its technical and technological expertise and its highly-skilled personnel, Bourbon Offshore is in a position to respond to the very real technological revolution which the offshore oil industry is undergoing. The development of oilfields in ever deeper waters has necessitated the deployment of new, more powerful vessels able to perform specific functions. Bourbon Offshore, through its “Marine Services” Activity, operates one of the most up-to-date and versatile fleets (219 vessels and 169 under construction), in response to these changes and in anticipation of future challenges.
Our vessels, which are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as dynamic positioning systems and high-poser winches, are able to meet both the requirements of the traditional offshore market (depths of less than 200 m) and the demands of the deepwater offshore industry (up to a depth of 3,000 m).
Equipped with the most innovative technologies, the flagships of the fleet are proof of that commitment: new more efficient hulls like the inverted bow (Ulstein X-Bow™ design), the secure anchor handling systems, diesel-electric propulsion, exhaust treatment systems, double hulls to contain environmental damage in the event of accidental leaks. These innovations, already installed on Bourbon Orca and the PSVs Bourbon Mistral and Bourbon Monsoon, have earned the “Clean” and “Clean design” classifications.
In addition to the new-generation vessels already in operation, the vessels in the "Bourbon Liberty" series will characterize the innovative spirit of BOURBON by offering increased service quality while improving operational productivity and safety.
These vessels are equipped with innovative series equipment, including DP2 dynamic positioning, a diesel-electric propulsion system, reducing fuel consumption by 20 to 30%, integrated azimuth 360°-directional thrusters (Z-drive technology) to offer greater maneuverability, increased cargo space, and oval-design mud reservoirs to optimize the loading of liquid mud and accelerate transfer operations.
Mass construction of these vessels from a competitively priced Chinese shipyard is another significant advantage on a market in which cost control is a decisive factor for success. Firstly, it will enable substantial savings (15- 30%) on capital expenditure per vessel. The standardization of the fleet will also help control cost and customer service quality in three ways: