Paris, June 26 2006, pdf file
The Bourbon Orca (Ulstein AX104), an AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel), the latest of the modern offshore oil and gas marine service vessels, was christened on Saturday, June 24, 2006 in Aalesund, Norway.
The christening ceremony was attended by Mrs. Kristin Krohn Devold, former Norwegian Minister of Defense and the current Secretary General of Tourism, the vessel’s godmother, Jacques de Chateauvieux, the Chairman-Chief Executive Officer of BOURBON and Christian Lefèvre, Deputy CEO and Managing Director of the Offshore Division.
The Bourbon Orca, soon to work under contract with Norsk Hydro, is the result of a collaboration between Bourbon Offshore, a leader in modern offshore oil and gas marine services, the ship designer Ulstein Design and ODIM, which specializes in marine automated systems.
In contrast to most existing vessels, on which the bridge projects above the level of the sea, the Bourbon Orca offers the benefits of a "revolutionary" design with an inverted bow (the trademark Ulstein X-BOWtm).
This design improves the stability, fluidity and maneuverability of the vessel, allowing it to operate at higher cruising speeds under difficult conditions. It substantially minimizes the pitching, slamming and vibrations of the running vessel.
When the vessel is in a dynamic position, the shape of the bottom limits the effects of eddies and banging. As a result, the Bourbon Orca will be able to operate under very difficult sea conditions, particularly in the North Sea.
In addition, this design will offer better working and safety conditions for the crews, who will enjoy greater comfort, both in terms of sound levels, vibration and stability.
From the beginning of this project, Bourbon Offshore Norway, strongly encourage by the Statoil oil company, partnered with Ulstein Design and ODIM (a recognized hydraulic solutions supplier) in order to develop a solution to improve personnel safety on the rear deck of the vessel. This collaboration produced the SAHS System (Safe Anchor Handling System) which eliminates any human presence on the after deck of the vessel during the most dangerous operations to ensure optimum protection of the crews.
The rear deck is equipped with two powerful mobile cranes equipped with articulated grappling hooks, a control system and a remote activated video surveillance system, as well as a mobile anchor handling platform system to replace the traditional stern roller.
In order to respect one of BOURBON’s major commitments–to respect the environment, the Bourbon Orca is equipped with diesel-electric propulsion. This vessel will be the first AHTS to be equipped with this solution, combined with azimuth thrusters.
This technology, combined with the hull design, significantly reduces gas and toxic emissions and ensures significant fuel savings. While with a conventional propulsion system, the engines of an AHTS run continuously, with this type of propulsion, only the energy needed is consumed, generating both economic and environmental benefits.
When discussing the commissioning of this new vessel, Christian Lefèvre, Deputy CEO of BOURBON and Managing Director of the Offshore Division, explained: "Safety is a priority for BOURBON. With the Bourbon Orca, we are revolutionizing the standards for modern offshore oil and gas service vessels. This vessel offers better safety performance, but also better environmental performance and energy consumption, which gives BOURBON a real competitive advantage in the sector."
With an offer of offshore oil and gas marine services, towage, assistance and salvage, and bulk shipping, BOURBON is a major international player in marine services. Classified by Euronext in the "Oil Services" sector, BOURBON is listed on Eurolist Paris, Compartment A and is included in the MID 100, SBF 120 and Dow Jones Stoxx 600 indices. Since March 28, 2006, the BOURBON share has been included in the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
Bourbon Offshore offers a full line of offshore oil and gas marine services for the oil majors and super-majors and the leading state-owned oil companies. With 2500 employees, Bourbon Offshore has a fleet of 230 vessels including 190 modern, powerful and multi-purpose vessels and is preparing for the challenges of tomorrow with more than 90 vessels on order or under construction. Already present in 23 countries, Bourbon Offshore is expanding its presence in its historic areas of operations, like the North Sea and the "Golden Triangle, the West Coast of Africa, Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico, and is assisting the growth of its clients in new operating regions like Latin America and Southeast Asia. In 2005, the Bourbon Offshore Division reported revenues of 277.2 million euros, up 24%.