Frederikshavn 18 November 2005. MAN B&W Diesel has added two new interesting reference plants to the fourstroke order book. Complete twin-screw medium speed propulsion packages have been ordered for a twin set of 65 m offshore research vessels. The twins will each be specified and equipped for their very specific operational tasks, i.e. seismic sourcing and seismic recording. The vessels are designated as an OBC Source Vessel and an OBC Recorder Vessel, respectively. The OBC abbreviation refers to ‘Ocean Bottom Cable’ and the actual seismic exploration equipment applied. The design consulting company for this project is Dalian Shipbuilding Technology Research Center Co. Ltd., located in Dalian, China. Both vessels will be built by Liao Nan Shipyard, also located in Dalian, and the delivery of the first vessel is scheduled to the end of next year. Operator and owner is BGP/CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation), with its fleet mainly based in Tanggu, Tianjin. The operation areas for these two vessels are not limited to Chinese offshore, but include also overseas exploration.
MAN B&W Diesel’s Four-stroke Propulsion Sales Manager, Mr Jorgen Vinde, explains: “Very low levels of vibration and noise from propellers, engines and propulsion systems are key issues for these installations. A very soft resilient seating arrangement of baseframe and sandwich mountings has been applied for the dampening of structure-borne vibrations by up 97%. Additionally, the ducted propellers have been specially designed and shaped with high priority to low levels of cavitation and noise emission. From an underwater point of view, an absolute decisive factor for the customer is a very silent ship, with minimal noise emission and disturbance in relation to the seismic exploration equipment.”
Principal Particulars - OBC Research Vessels
Length oa 65.0 m
Length pp 58.4 m
Breadth 13.8 m
Depth 5.10 m
Draught 3.50 m
Crew 45 persons
Propulsion MAN B&W Diesel
Classification CCS - China Classification Society
Ice class B
Notation *CSA 5/5 Ice Class B, Research Ship
*CSM, MCC
Propulsion Package
The MAN B&W Diesel twin-screw Alpha Propulsion System type 6L23/30A-DVO, which has been specified for the newbuildings, includes:
• Main Engines
Two MAN B&W 6L23/30A-D engines are resiliently seated with baseframe and sandwich mountings. Each engine develops 960 kW (1305 bhp) at 900 r/min.
• Reduction Gearboxes
Two MAN B&W Alpha AMG8 gearboxes, type 31VO8, with a speed reduction ratio of 900:292.
• Propellers
Two MAN B&W Alpha type VB560 four-bladed controllable pitch propellers. The 1,900 mm diameter CPP systems are complete with tail shafts, intermediate shafts, bearings and stern tube equipment. Epoxy coated tailshafts with bronze liners are applied for water lubricated stern tubes.
Additionally two propeller nozzles type, FD1930, are part of the scope of supply.
• Control System
In addition to the twin main bridge control station, the complete Alphatronic IIA Propulsion Control and Safety System includes a twin engine room control station.
About CNPC
China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. It is a state holding company whose business operations cover a broad spectrum of upstream and downstream activities, domestic marketing and, and equipment manufacturing and supply. CNPC serves as China's largest producer and supplier of crude
oil and natural gas, holding a dominant position in domestic petroleum production, processing, and marketing sectors. At the same time, CNPC is also a major producer and supplier of refined oil products and petrochemicals. As one of the largest service suppliers in the global petroleum and petrochemical industries, CNPC can provide operational services and technical support in such areas as geophysical prospecting, well drilling, logging, well testing, downhole operations, oilfield surface facilities construction, pipeline construction, refining and petrochemical projects, and manufacturing and supply of petroleum equipment.
BGP - A Leading Geophysical company
BGP has a 30 year history of shallow water seismic operations, offering offshore services for CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Cooperation) and other Chinese and foreign oil companies within China's offshore areas.