Doha, November 17 (QNA) - Gulf Drilling International Limited (GDIL), a subsidiary of Gulf International Services (GIS), the largest oilfield service company in Qatar, announced that a new Qatari-built liftboat named Al Safliya, which was under construction for the company at Nakilat's ship repair and offshore construction joint venture, Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM), has been completed and expected to be commercially deployed at the Dolphin platform early in 2016.
Al Safliya is the first vessel in the country’s marine history that is being built in Qatar, for a Qatari owner, for use by Dolphin Energy Limited. This investment represents another step in the growth of GDI's diversified assets - its second Liftboat and its third non-drilling jack-up. GDI has already entered into a long term contract with Dolphin to provide accommodation and platform support services. The vessel is self-propelled, equipped with two deck cranes and has top class accommodations along with its ancillary facilities for over 130 persons. This customized liftboat will be equipped with a large open deck area of 800 square meters, a helideck and a specially designed gangway as a bridge to the customer’s platform.
The Al Safliya is designed by Bennett Offshore, the naval architecture and marine engineering arm of Keppel Offshore & Marine, in collaboration with N-KOM. Liftboats are more efficient and cost-effective alternatives to traditional offshore service vessels, as they can be mobilised without requiring third party assistance and they are able to optimise operations since they are less affected by weather and provide a more stable work environment.
Mubarak A. Al-Hajri, Chief Executive Officer of GDI, said: "GDI is pleased to see the progress in construction of this vessel. We are committed to provide world-class services to our long term client Dolphin Energy as GDI will provide Dolphin Energy with the services of Al Safliya". Alhajri also expressed his appreciation to the efforts made by Nakilat to build and develop this heavy project at a very high-level standard.
Eng. Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Managing Director of Nakilat said: "Nakilat is incredibly proud of our place in the Qatari marine sector. Through our joint ventures, we have become synonymous with sea transport and ship repair and buildup at Erhama bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Lafan Industrial City in Qatar. Al Safliya is the latest example of Nakilat’s passion for working in Qatar as it has led to the achievement of two million safe man-hours on this milestone project earlier in September. Following the successful completion of the liftboat, we are now in the final stages of the project and are on track to deliver the liftboat to GDI at the end of this year in a safe and timely manner." (QNA)