I haven't worked offshore and have basic understanding of offshore drilling operations.
Having said that, I think the Pacific Grouse has actually been at the site since the beginning.
It could be part of normal operations to have have a fire fighting vessel on site if they are opening the well up.
"Tug and special Craft"
Anchor handling tug supply vessel
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verification.
AHTS
Normand Master alongside the
Balder at
Thunder Horse Oil Field
AHTS
Balder Viking handling anchors for the
Semi-submersible Platform Transocean Arctic
Examples of AHTS vessels
ROV at work in an underwater oil and gas field. The ROV is operating a subsea torque
spanner tool on a valve on the subsea structure.
Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vesselsare mainly built to handle anchors for
oil rigs, tow them to location, and use them to secure the rigs in place. AHTS vessels sometimes also serve as Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs) and as supply transports.
Many of these vessels are designed to meet the harsh conditions of the North Sea, and can undertake supply duties there between land bases and drilling sites.
[1][2] They also provide towing assistance during tanker loading, deepwater anchor handling, and towing of threatening objects.
AHTS vessels differ from
Platform supply vessels (PSVs) in being fitted with winches for towing and anchor handling, having an open stern to allow the decking of anchors, and having more power to increase the
bollard pull. The machinery is specifically designed for anchor handling operations. They also have arrangements for quick anchor release, which is operable from the bridge or other normally manned location in direct communication with the bridge. The reference load used in the design and testing of the towing winch is twice the static bollard pull.
Even if AHTS-vessels are customized for anchor-handling and towing, they can also undertake, for example, ROV (
remotely operated underwater vehicle) services, safety/rescue services, and supply duties between mainland and offshore installations.
[3]
Here is a quick summary of the type of ships currently on site:
Platform supply vessel
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Platform Supply Vessel
A
platform supply vessel (
PSV) is a ship specially designed to supply offshore
oil and gas platforms.
[1] These ships range from 50 to 100 meters in length and accomplish a variety of tasks. The primary function for most of these vessels is logistic support and transportation of goods, tools, equipment and personnel to and from offshore oil platforms and other offshore structures. In the recent years a new generation of platform supply vessel entered the market, usually equipped with Class 1 or Class 2
dynamic positioningsystem.
They belong to the broad category of
offshore vessels (OSVs) that include platform supply vessels (PSV's),
crane vessels (C/V) and
well stimulation well stimulation vessels (WSVs),
anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTSVs) and Offshore construction vessels (OCVs). Larger offshore vessels have extensive sophisticated equipment including
ROVs and tend to accommodate a larger number of people (more than 100)
[2]
CapabilitiesEdit
CargoEdit
Deck cargo
A primary function of a platform supply vessel is to transport supplies to the oil platform and return other cargoes to shore. Cargo tanks for
drilling mud, pulverized cement, diesel fuel, potable and non-potable water, and chemicals used in the drilling process comprise the bulk of the cargo spaces. Fuel, water, and chemicals are almost always required by oil platforms. Certain other chemicals must be returned to shore for proper recycling or disposal, however, crude oil product from the rig is usually not a supply vessel cargo.
SupportEdit
Common and specialty tools are carried on the large decks of these vessels. Most carry a combination of deck cargoes and bulk cargo in tanks below deck. Many ships are constructed (or re-fitted) to accomplish a particular job. Some of these vessels are equipped with a firefighting capability and
fire monitors for fighting platform fires. Some vessels are equipped with oil containment and recovery equipment to assist in the cleanup of a spill at sea. Other vessels are equipped with tools, chemicals and personnel to "work-over" existing oil wells for the purpose of increasing the wells' production.