Alewijnse Completes Electrics for Rowan Viking

Alewijnse Marine Systems has successfully completed the electrical installation for the remodelling of the drilling rig Rowan Viking. The Rowan Viking is one of the largest of its type and will be used for oil exploitation in the North Sea. Alewijnse was responsible for the service and maintenance of a number of critical electrical systems. A unique character of the project is that it included the extension of the legs to 180m, with the work taking place at great heights using platforms that were built around, and moved up and down, the legs.  

Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, was awarded the contract by a subsidiary of Rowan Companies to remodel the Rowan Viking. The Rowan Viking is a Keppel Fels ‘N’ Class Drilling Rig. At 124 (l) x 95 (w) x 170 (h) meters, it is one of the largest of its type.

The rig has been contracted to explore the Norwegian Lundin Oil Field and was converted accordingly. Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen chose Alewijnse Marine Systems, which has a permanent representation at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, for the electrical conversion of a number of important systems. These included the conversion and engineering of several electrical distribution systems, plus the installation of a new heli-fuel system. 

Other installations included a completely new helideck status lights system, refurbishment of the  radio room, installation of junction boxes to hook up to another rig for multiple rig systems such as PA / GA / CCTV / UPS supply / normal supply and emergency supply, as well as the repair of accommodation utilities and various systems for the machinery deck. As well as those, additional emergency stops for the anchor winches and a remotely operated valve control system were installed.  

Alewijnse also delivered and installed a number of electrical infrastructure components for new equipment including a parts washer and a screen washer, and performed additional test activities including emergency light and endurance tests. It also performed a complete upgrade of the lighting. 

Mitch Opmeer, Alewijnse’s Rowan Viking project manager, had this to say about the conversion: “This was a unique project for Alewijnse and Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen due to the complexity of the leg extensions and the extremely high HSEQ and QA/QC requirements. A solid and good collaboration between the workforces of Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, Alewijnse, Rowan and the other subcontractors ensured a great result’. 

Alewijnse is an electrical system integrator with worldwide wide experience in the maritime and offshore industry, and is a one stop shop E&I EPCIC contractor. The project started in May 2014 and completed in August 2014.