GDF SUEZ E&P UK has awarded a five year, multi-million pound contract to Sentinel Marine to provide a new 61 metre multi role Emergency Response & Rescue Vessel (ERRV) to support drilling operations in the Cygnus field.

The 1,890 tonne ship, named Cygnus Sentinel, will be built in the Fujian Southeast shipyard in China, due to arrive in the UK in January 2015. The vessel will provide emergency cover for this flagship gas development in the Southern North Sea.

Jean-Claude Perdigues, Managing Director of GDF SUEZ E&P UK said: “Placing this order for the Cygnus Sentinel demonstrates our long-term commitment to safe and effective operations support in the UK Continental Shelf. At peak, Cygnus will provide 5% of the UK’s gas and ensuring the safety of our personnel during this project is our utmost priority. Sentinel Marine has a proven record in emergency response in the oil and gas sector and we look forward to working with the company in our continued drive for safety.”

Jonathan Mitchell, Managing Director of Sentinel Marine added: “The Cygnus Sentinel is one of eight multi role ERRVs being delivered in 2014/2015 by Sentinel Marine. All eight vessels have a fuel and environmentally efficient design and offer the crews a high level of on-board comfort. The vessels will comply with pan European industry standards, which will allow them to work in all areas of the North Sea as well as throughout the UK Continental Shelf.”

Led by operator GDF SUEZ E&P UK, with partners Centrica Energy and Bayerngas UK, the Cygnus field is the largest gas discovery in the Southern North Sea in 25 years and will consist of four platforms forming Cygnus Alpha and Cygnus Bravo. The field is targeted for first gas in Q4 2015 with the first of the platforms having been installed earlier this month.

Tags: GDF SUEZ