1.

0 INTRODUCTION
Liftboats are the preferred vessel for most shallow water jobs in the United

States Gulf of Mexico where there are about 200 such vessels, which highly possible

to be implement in Malaysia. Liftboats have been proposed recently by PETRONAS

Carigali Sdn. Bhd. (PCSB) generally to meet the market demand as well as coping up

with the latest technology evolution in marine industry. This study examines how

liftboats can replace workboats and work barges and bringing fortune towards the

company. As for liftboats selection, there are several key elements required which are,

jacking system, working water depths, deck space, crane capacity, personnel

accommodations as well as propulsion. Due to increasing in production, liftboats are

the right one as a potential alternative multi-purpose vessel replacing other boats for

daily use.

As of 27 March 2014, there are total of four workboats and one work barge

operating under PMO projects, whereby eight workboats are under SKO projects, two

workboats for SKO HUC, two workboats are currently working for SBO projects and

one workboat for SBO HUC. In this current situation, workboat/barge could not operate

throughout the year due to harsh weather condition (monsoon). Workboat/barge can

only operates roughly 270 days a year and a further analysis has been done that

shows restrictions at the beginning and end of year. Therefore, liftboat would be the

most suitable vessel to substitute the current workboat/barge mainly because liftboat

can operates 365 days without any limitations. Liftboat can withstand in any condition

especially monsoon which always occurs first quarter and fourth quarter of a year.

Hence, a high technology with latest and modern facilities and accommodation

of liftboat is sought as a potential alternative to the existing workboat/barge. Based on

those reasons, the multi-purpose and self-elevating liftboat vessel is considered as an

option to replace the present workboat/barge. Apart from that, liftboat is also a self-

mobilize without any helps from AHT to tow, and this may reduce some cost especially

in fuel consumption and also daily charter rate (DCR). In addition, it has widely been

used internationally and has been triggered us as a solution in easing workload, more

number of working days per year and bringing up PETRONAS to a more advance

standard. In order to achieve top management aspiration in embracing prominent

Logistics Services, introduction of Liftboats showing that we are ready for a next big

step in this industry.

 2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2.1 Opportunities

Embarking a new technology liftboat vessel to accommodate all the activities.

Design multi-purposed liftboat vessel to meet the requirements of our platforms.

2.2 Issues and Analysis

Issues Liftboats Workboats & Work barges

Contracted 365 days 270 days

Number of Throughout the year Depending on the weather condition

working days

Facilities High technology, comfortable Less comfortable

Fuel Same Same

Consumption
Daily Charter Relatively High RM 80,000/day
Rate RM 160,000/day

Limitations - Debris survey required - Anchor pattern approval

- Approval from PETRONAS
Geo
- Required very high skilled
mariners
Number of - 45 m depths: 150
Pax - 60 m depths: 220
- 80 m depths: 250
**May increase upon class approval**
- Anchor line parted
- Man over board
- Potentially collide with
platform
- Anchor dragging potential
damage pipeline
- Emergency response
difficulties (unavailability of
medevac)
150 200 with limited bunk and
modification is not allowed
2.3 Way Forward

To proceed in replacing existing workboat and work barges under SCM

contracts with Liftboat vessels supporting all PCSN operations.

To perform and accomodate all the related activities at the platform

With regards to above, there were five (5) companies invited to share Proof of

Concept (POC) presentation to PETRONAS.

i. Teras Offshore

ii. Seacore

iii. GMS

iv. IPS

v. Emas/Larizz

vi. Hercules

vii. Dextral
 3.0 OBJECTIVE
To realize this project successfully, several objectives are needed to keep us on track

and achieve our target.

To seek endorsement from management in replacing our current workboats

and work barges under SCM contracts with Liftboat supporting all PCSB

operations.

To embark new technology and multi-purposed Liftboat that meets our

platforms requirements and activities.

To minimize number of workboats, work barges and anchor handling tugs

(AHT) in every operation for vessel optimization.

To come out with full analysis and study regarding suitablity of Liftboat

available in the market to suit our platforms.

 4.0 LIFTBOAT FEATURES
4.1 Legs

In the current market, there are two different types of liftboat where one has 3 legs and

another one has 4 legs. Therefore, a comparison has been made between these two

boats.

3 Legs 4 Legs

Ballasting required, lengthy process No ballasting, diagonal pre-load, rapid

Pre-load
(16-24 hours) (1-2 hours)

Straddling pipelines 4 legs allows straddling of existing

Positioning
difficult/impossible field infrastructure

V. high pre-load stresses, loss of one Lower pre load stress, reduced overall
Punch-through
leg catastrophic leg pressure

Greatly compromised by triangular Square deck area and increased deck

Deck Area
shape load with extra leg

Reduced versus equivalent 4 legged Greater accommodation for similar

Accommodation
unit deck area

Uncommon and usually fixed with 2 x 360 ASD thrusters + 2 x bow

Propulsion
poor manoeuvrability thrusters; no tug required
Although the four-legged liftboat will cost more than the cost of simply adding the cost

of another leg, i.e., the jacking system to support two legs loaded diagonally is greater

and the hull structure is different/heavier. From HSE point of view, the 4 legs liftboat

will have a better penetration into the soil and have stronger and larger area to support

the liftboat. Giving a situation, if there is a case if one of the legs is not functioning, the

3 legged liftboat will definitely become unstable and causes massive accidents for

instance death. If the same situation occurs to 4 legged liftboat, at least, there are still

left with 3 legs to support the liftboat and the activities on board can be done normally.

We also required specifying the length of the legs which includes the soil

penetration, water depth and air gap. As per our studies, the minimum length of the

leg is 130 m.

4.2 Jacking System

The jacking system for a liftboat is very different than the jacking system for a jack-up

drilling rig. The two major differences center around speed and cycles.

Speed of the liftboat jacking system is essential. While a typical jack-up drilling rig

elevates at two feet per minute a liftboat could elevate at four to six feet per minute

and lower the legs at 14-18 feet per minute. This gives the liftboat the ability to get on

and off location significantly faster.

The jacking system for a liftboat encounters a very different operational cycle. It would

not be uncommon for a liftboat to jack up and down in one year the same number of

times that a jack-up drilling rig would encounter in its entire lifetime. So, the wear

factors, redundancy, material grades and shock loads are different between jack-ups

and liftboats.
4.3 Working Water Depth

The expected wind, wave and current (environmental conditions) in the maximum

working water depth need to be determined. Although, other variables will go into the

liftboat design, such as, net deck load, the starting point is still working water depth.

An area with moderate environmental conditions vs. harsh environmental conditions

will be a significantly different liftboat design in all aspects, i.e., legs, jacking system

and hull. As a general rule, as working water depths and severity of environmental

conditions increase, then, costs of the vessel rise exponentially. Therefore, we did

some analysis regarding water depths in Malaysia especially PMO, SKO and SBO

regions. We found out that liftboats are suitable to be used in our regions to replace

the existing workboat/barge. The figure below shows the average water depth for our

regions. For more specific water depths data for each platforms, please refer to

Appendix 1.

SKO SBO PMO

Roughly most of the Most of the water Most of the water
platforms water depths are between depths are between
depths are less than 45m to 60m 60m to 80m
45m

Water depth increases

4.4 Deck Area

The deck area is the unobstructed, open area. The liftboat crane is used to move

equipment and materials around and on to and off the platform/offshore location.

There is a relationship among these variables open deck area, net deck load and

crane capacity. Further, you need a crane capacity that is commensurate with the

expected deck loads and area.

4.5 Deck Load

The net deck load for a liftboat is what you have on your deck in transit and can then

jack up with on the deck. Consumables (such as water, fuel, hydraulic fluid, etc.) are

in addition to the net deck load. Liftboat operators are concerned with what they can

carry and elevate.

There is a definite relationship among deck area, deck load and crane capacity.

Liftboats are designed as multi-purpose vessels.

Also, one needs to consider the type of equipment and components that will be on the

deck, so that, various areas can be designed to accommodate the various loadings,

i.e., an area near the bow may have higher point loading than other areas.
4.6 Crane Capacity

The value of open deck space, deck load and crane capacity is what makes a

liftboat a liftboat.

There are a variety of cranes for liftboats. However, there is one caveat cranes

for liftboats are designed by crane manufacturers specifically for liftboats. Weight is a

key consideration in liftboat design, so, every consideration needs to be made in the

overall design including the crane. Therefore, cranes for liftboats are typically

structurally lighter than a comparable offshore crane.

Regarding types of liftboat cranes, there are lattice boom, box boom, telescopic

boom, pedestal mounted, and leg encircling cranes. The main things to consider in

crane selection are reach, load capacities and effect on deck area.

PCSB also has made their requirements which a liftboat must have minimum 2

cranes that actively work for 24 hours.

4.7 Accommodations

The accommodations are another feature of liftboats. The personnel

accommodations are generally divided into two areas navigation crew and

customer/operational personnel. As liftboats have gotten bigger with increased

capacities, so, has the requirement for more personnel. For example, a 100-man

accommodation block would typically have about 20 navigation crew and the

remaining 80 for customer/operational personnel.

 The type of job that the liftboat is performing will dictate the accommodation

requirement, i.e., an offshore construction job would generally require more personnel

than a well intervention job. The construction job may even require additional modular

living quarters on the deck. Additionally, one needs to consider the area of operation

in accommodation design.

4.8 Propulsion

A standard and key feature of a liftboat is that it is self-propelled. This alleviates

the need for tugs to move the liftboat or to set up on location. This results in a

significant cost advantage in that the liftboat can move to a new location without having

to wait on tugs to move them. The liftboat can wait for a weather window and move.

The larger liftboats have integrated propulsion and bow thrusters.

Remember the liftboat captain is lowering the legs and station keeping all at the

same time an operation that takes very little time compared to the jack-up drilling rig.

Power design is all important when one in positioning near the platform.
 5.0 COMPARISON OF SERVICES
PERFORMED OF VESSELS
Service performed
Construction, Workboat Jackup Construction
maintenance and Liftboats Floatel
/barge drilling rigs vessels
decommissioning
support
Remove/install/
decommissioning of / X X / X
modules
Construction support / / X / X
Maintenance support / / X / X
Diving support X X X / X
Accommodation Depend
(Limitations) on water Limited Limited / /
depth
Well servicing
Conventional drilling X X / X X
Coiled tubing / X / X X
Wireline / X / X X
Well workover / X / X X
Well testing/early
/ X / X X
production
Cost effective
Daily charter rate (DCR) Relatively Relatively Very very Relatively
Very High
High Low High Low
Maintenance/service Relatively Very very Very very Relatively
High
High High High Low
Stable to work at
/ X / X X
platform
Need tugs assistance X / X / /
 6.0 REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS
Therefore, there are several required specifications that has been mentioned by our

Well Specialist, Mr. Lawrence Sim regarding of using Liftboat in our platforms. As from

our studies, we found out that every platform has different water depths and different

well activities.

Features Description

Speed Approximate 6 knots

Helideck

Main Propulsion

Bow Thruster

Electric Power
Generators
Emergency Generator

Jacking System

Jacking Speed

Steering System

Fuel Oil Capacity

Fresh Water Capacity

Accommodation Minimum 120 pax (depending on water depth)

Deck Space

Windlass

Cranes

Leg Length Minimum 130 m

 7.0 WEATHER PATTERN IN MALAYSIA
In order to ensure the suitability of liftboat to operate in Malaysia waters, PCSB has

done several researches on weather pattern in South East Asia especially in

Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. This weather pattern will determine

whether liftboat vessel is fit in condition for any operations. In this weather pattern, we

need to consider several aspects such as water level, climate, wind conditions, rain

distributions and monsoon. Moreover, we need to be aware of any incident regarding

weather changes for instance tropical storm or typhoon. All of these must be taken

into consideration to avoid any mishap during operation. Malaysia is separated by the

South China Sea into two similarly sized regions, Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian

Borneo. Land borders are shared with Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei, and maritime

borders exist with Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

7.1 Prevailing Weather Pattern

The wind over the country is generally light and variable. There are, however,

some uniform periodic changes in the wind flow patterns. Based on these changes,

four (4) seasons can be distinguished, namely, the southwest monsoon, northeast

monsoon and two (2) shorter periods of inter-monsoon seasons.

In Malaysia, the southwest monsoon season is usually established in the later

half of May or early June and ends in September. The prevailing wind flow is generally

southwesterly and light, below 15 knots. The northeast monsoon season usually

commences in early November and ends in March. During this season, steady easterly

or northeasterly winds of 10 to 20 knots prevail. The winds over the east coast states
of Peninsular Malaysia may reach 30 knots or more during periods of strong surges of

cold air from the north which known as cold surges.

 8.0 ANALYSIS
8.1 Number of Vessels 2014

Based on data taken from Umbrella 2014 Strategy, analysis had been done to

determine the total number of pax and total number of workboat/barge throughout the

year of 2014. For example, in August (peak month) the total number of pax are 5600

and 28 workboats are required for the operation, whereas only 23 liftboats are needed

for the same number of pax. Based on the results and analysis, we can conclude that

the total number of vessels can be reduced by 5 if we are using liftboats. The base

line in the graph below reflects the minimum number of vessels required for each

operation
Therefore, a further analysis has been done based on projection for the next upcoming

years, 2015 until 2018, which shows that the pattern of the graph is the same as 2014.

However, the number of pax reduces as after 2014 due to several possibilities such

as reduce number of activities, less number of projects and implementation of liftboats

over workboat and work barges due to the expiry of contracts.

8.2 Total Cost 2014

As shown in the graph above, the total cost for lift boat is higher than total cost of

Workboat/barge. The total cost for lift boat is calculated based on the DCR and fuel

consumption of 365 days per year as it can operates the whole year regardless

weather adverse. On the other hand, Workboat/barge is contracted only for 270 days

per year and the total cost is calculated based on the contracted year. A further

calculation will be done to show that upcoming years, the total cost of liftboat will be

reduce compared to workboat/barges.

Therefore, the author made several comparisons to shows that Liftboat is much

cheaper and able to operate like workboat/barges and also jack-up accommodation.

Liftboat is ahead of all other vessels by referring to the blue stars and we can see that

Liftboat gained all the stars for all the features involved.

Soil Tests for Jack-up Rigs

Since liftboats are using almost the same concept of jack up rigs, we need to do

several soil tests to check the availability of a sea bed type to support the weight of

the jack-up rig depends on the soils profile to a considerable depth. (Refer to the table

in literature review)

1. Moisture Content

Method: Weigh a sample of wet material, bake for 24 hours at 105 degree

Celsius, weigh sample. Determine the water content by the difference in

weights and refer it to the value of weight per volume.

2. Bulk and Dry Density

Method: Weigh a known volume of wet soil, dry at 105 degree Celsius for 24

hours and re weigh the dry soil.

3. Torvane Test

Purpose: Quick estimate of undrained shear strength.

Method: A special bladed disc is rotated against a calibrated torsion spring. The

disc being presses flat against the soil. The soil enclosed within the vanes is

sheared off the sample. The effort required can be measured on the calibrated

spring.

4. Pocket Penetrometer

Test Purpose: Determine undrained shear strength.

Method: A cylinder rod is pressed into the soil a pre-determined distance. A

spring attached to the rod is compressed and the amount of compression can

be measured on a scale. By applying a factor to the measurement the shear

strength can be calculated.

5. Fallcone test

Purpose: Determine undrained shear strength.

Method: A metal cone of known accurate dimensions is applied to the sample

of soil. Penetration of the cone is measured and a factor applied which results

in avalue for shear strength.

 6. Particle Size Distribution

Particle size affects soil behavior. A sample is hand sieved to determine the

volume of particles above 75 microns in size in a given volume of soil.

7. Atterberg Limits Determination

Purpose: To determine the liquid and plastic limits and the plasticity index of a

cohesive soil. A laboratory technique using a Casagrande apparatus.

8. Unconstructed Undrained Triaxial Compression Test

Purpose: To determine accurately undrained shear strength of undisturbed

samples. This laboratory technique gives various parameters of shear strength

including cell pressure.

9. Density Determination

Purpose: Estimate relative density.

10. Direct Soil Shear Test

Determines angle of shearing resistance of a sample. The result gives a graph of shear

strength against normal load and shear stress against strain.

Site Investigation, Hazards and Evaluation

The following list shows the risks associated with placing any particular jack-up barge

on the sea bed and elevating it. The site investigation should take into consideration

these hazards and determine their relevance to the site under construction and the

characteristics of the barge involved.

Risks Method of Assessment

Punch Through Soil samples and soil testing.

Shallow seismic survey.

Settlement under storm.

Soil samples and testing loads.

Foundation Failure Shallow seismic survey.

Wind/wave/current data.

Scour. Surface sample of soil.

Current data.

Storm current data.

Mud Slides Shallow seismic profile.

Side scan sonar.

Soil samplers

Historical data

Gas pockets Seismic survey analysis

Historical data

Faulting/Layering Shallow seismic profile

Metal Object, Wreckage Magnetometer and Side scan

Pipelines Survey. Diver/ROV inspection.

Charts/field data

Holes, Trenches Side scan sonar

Pinnacles, Rock Outcrops. Diver/ROV inspection

Sand Waves Charts/field data

Footprints of previous rigs Locations records

Side scan sonar

Chart data

Very Deep Penetration Geo technical data based on seismic, cores,

historical data
 10.0 FEASIBILITY OF LIFTBOAT PROJECT
An initial feasibility is performed in order to help determine the priority of the

project and to determine if it would be worthwhile to proceed.

There are three types of feasibility that will be discussed herein: required design,

economic and schedule. Required design is needed as such the liftboat will meet all

the requirements of all the platforms and able to perform all the activities. The

economical feasibility will review the expected costs to see if they are in-line with the

projected budget or if the project has an acceptable return on investment. At this point,

the projected costs will only be a rough estimate. The exact costs are not required to

determine economic feasibility. It is only required to determine if it is feasible that the

project costs will fall within the target budget or return on investment. Similar to

economic feasibility, a rough estimate of the project schedule is required to determine

if it would be feasible to complete the systems project within a required timeframe. In

order to assess the feasibility of a project, information has to be obtained from the

experienced person who in charged in marine engineering for instance, marine

specialist and contractors. The information gathering process usually consists of

research, presentations and interviews. A review from articles and reports may also

be appropriate.