DX105 well intervention

Future heavy well intervention

At the Offshore Energy 2015 exhibition in Amsterdam this week, Herrenknecht and Ulstein are presenting their future vision of heavy well intervention.
Published
13 October 2015
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Herrenknecht Vertical GmbH (HVG) from Germany and Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V. (UDS BV) from the Netherlands is presenting ULSTEIN DX105. This heavy well intervention vessel design featuring the HVG Terra Invader 750 drill tower, the companies introduce a state-of-the-art heavy well intervention vessel for water depths up to 2,500m (8,250 ft).

The unique integration of the Herrenknecht equipment resulted in a compact, fully integrated vessel design, specifically aimed at cost efficiency in medium and heavy well intervention operations, punching well over its weight with regards to drilling capabilities.

The large, free work deck of the ULSTEIN DX105 with direct access to the moonpool, allows the vessel to carry a large diversity of additional well equipment, like:

  • Coiled tubing equipment
  • Wireline equipment
  • Storage of multiple X-mas trees and other subsea equipment
  • Cementing equipment and storage of extra drill pipes, risers and casings
  • Well testing equipment
  • Future well technologies

The HVG drill tower consist of an A-frame structure, allowing for easy access to the drill floor. "By using an automated horizontal racking system, a light substructure could be realized, which in combination with the weight saving A-frame solution resulted in a lower CoG," says Dennis Vollmar of Herrenknecht Vertical. "And that of course improves also the operational envelope of the vessel."

"Over the last decade, deepwater drilling has taken a flight, meaning that in the near future these wells will need servicing and maintenance," adds Bram Lambregts, deputy director at Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V. "Its higher payloads and mobilization speed compared to semi-submersibles ensure that the ULSTEIN DX105 is less dependent on nearby infrastructures. This is of great importance for well intervention operations in remote areas and harsh environments, which is further enhanced by applying the proven ULSTEIN X-BOW® to increase the operational window of the vessel."

Main dimensions of the vessel are:


  • Loa 154.4 m
  • Lpp 148.2 m
  • Beam (moulded) 29.4 m
  • Depth11.2 m
  • Draught (operational) 7.5 m
  • Deadweight ca 13,000 t
  • Speed 15 kn
  • Installed power 6 x 4,200 kW
  • Positioning DP3
  • Free deck space 1,500 m
  • Cargo hold 850 m
  • Complement 100 p


For more information on this press release please contact Mr Bram Lambregts at Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V., +31 10 475 00 11, [email protected] or Mr Dennis Vollmar at Herrenknecht Vertical GmbH, +49 78243027942, [email protected]

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