Offshore247 reported that Middle East based Gulf Marine Services is declaring its intentions in the jack up vessel market with one eye on the potential for future North Sea work with 2 new builds which are under construction in Abu Dhabi.

Gulf Marine said that its new units, GMS Endurance and GMS Endeavour will be capable of operating in harsh environments such as the North Sea and have been designed with 93 meters legs to work in up to 65 meters of water depth, allowing them to operate on Southern North Sea gas platforms and in the wind power installation market.

Dutch based offshore group MSC Gusto worked with GMS to develop the units using a Gusto NG 2500X design and the 2 self elevating support boats are due to be completed in 2010. Both feature a 350 tonne heavy lift crane, 1,000 square meters of deck space and a deck load capacity of 11,350 tones plus accommodation for 150 personnel.

Mr Mark Preston commercial manager of GMS said that all outfitting will be done in Abu Dhabi. He said that “They are designed for harsh environments such as the Southern North Sea or West Africa as well.”

GMS said that requirements from existing customers in the energy sector and potential demand from new markets has resulted in the design. This new self propelled jack up barge design is set to operate in deeper waters and harsh environments. The design's extreme flexibility will be suited to a much wider range of opportunities than existing vessels currently in the market. Offshore accommodation and construction, well intervention and work over and drilling completions are some of the key oil and gas sectors GMS Endurance has been targeted to work in.”

Currently the hull of the Endeavour is on tow to the GMS shipyard in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi and is due for completion in 2010 and the company has a total of 3 jack up barges under construction, one due for delivery in the Q4 and 2 units in 2010.

(Sourced from Offshore247)