Jack of all trades
“Petrovietnam Marine Shipyard (PV Shipyard) was established in 2007 to cater for the growing demand for offshore oil and gas services in Vietnam and the surrounding region,” states Le Hung, deputy managing director of PV Shipyard.
“The aim from day one was for the company to become the first jack-up builder in Vietnam and this was the motivation to begin the construction of its facilities in early 2008.”
Working over a 400,000 square metre area, the first phase of development, which has spanned three years, has involved the investment in and construction of a series of facilities and various types of equipment. Included amongst the many new additions to the shipyards growing list of assets are 22,770 square metres of covered workshops, 148,383 square metres of open fabrication space, a 3200 square metre blasting and painting chamber, a 273 metre jetty with 11 metres of water depth and lifting equipment with a capacity of up to 1250 tonnes.
“The first phase of yard development was completed in March 2011 and has enhanced PV Shipyard’s production capacity to 40,000 tonnes per year,” Le continues. “The second phase will involve the building of a dry-dock measuring 380 metres in length and with a depth of up to 12 metres. This development represents a considerable investment in the engineering capabilities of the company and is expected to begin in early 2012. Once completed it will give PV Shipyard the facilities and ability to undertake up to six rig building projects concurrently.”
As a major part of its own programme of self-development, PV Shipyard is currently building its first jack-up rig, a 90 metre LeTourneau Super 116E: “This landmark project is well on schedule and the company is working diligently towards achieving a launch of the rig by the end of August 2011,” Le says. “There is certainly an increasing demand for new build jack-up rigs and that is why PV Shipyard is also starting to target potential clients operating outside Vietnam in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. In the long-term it would also like to pursue opportunities in the more traditional markets like the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and Latin America.
“The core focus of the company will continue to be the new building, conversion and repair of jack-up rigs, as well as semi-submersibles and drilling ships, however in the future PV Shipping has significant plans to diversify its product range. In time it is hoped this range will include other offshore facilities such as central processing platforms, topsides, jackets, wind-farm towers, crane barges and offshore installation vessels. In short, the aim of the company is to become a recognised, reliable and reputable EPC contractor for drilling rigs and other offshore structures and facilities.”
