Well Ops Announces Launch of Multi-Service Subsea Well Intervention Vessel

Aberdeen, Scotland - Well Ops UK Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Houston-based Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc (NYSE HLX), announced that its new well intervention vessel, MSV Well Enhancer, was launched recently at the IHC Krimpen Shipyard facility in Rotterdam, Holland. The vessel will remain in Rotterdam for several months where it will be outfitted with a 100 Metric tonne crane and specialist well intervention  equipment prior to beginning projects for Well Ops' customers.

The May 31 launch completed the design, engineering and building phases of the multi-service vessel construction project which commenced in late November, 2006 when Helix ESG signed a new-build contract with IHC Krimpen Shipyard BV.  The launch date was an on-time contractual milestone and was achieved with the close co-operation of both the IHC Krimpen and Helix ESG project teams.

According to Leigh Beck, Well Intervention System Project Manager, the Well Enhancer has been engineered to further improve the well intervention capabilities supplied by Well Ops taking into account in excess of 15 yrs experience using the other well ops vessel MSV Seawell. The improvements  include a single trip 7" Intervention lubricator capable of deploying 22m toolstrings as well as the addition of a coiled tubing solution. Mr Beck said.  "We took those lessons learned from Seawell and incorporated them into the Well Enhancer's design. As a result, we are very excited about the CT benefits this vessel will offer our customers."

Well Enhancer features a Huisman Itrec Multi Purpose Tower for deployment of its subsea intervention tools and equipment. The system has the capability to operate in water depths to 1,000 meters (???? feet), is capable of handling 150 Metric tonne and has both active and passive  heave compensation.  A dedicated moonpool facilitates the work and can be closed when not in use.

Additionally, the Well Enhancer has an 18-man saturation diving system for diving operations. The system is rated to a water depth of 300 meters (984 feet) and has four decompression chambers and two dedicated diving moonpools.  Subsea operations are supported by the vessel's two remotely operated work class vehicles [provided by another Helix ESG wholly owned subsidiary -  Canyon Offshore]  These Work Class ROV's are side launched.  For offshore construction activities, a 100-ton crane operates through the moonpool or over the side, in depths to 600 meters (1,968 feet).

The vessel has been specifically engineered for cost-effective well support, intervention and construction operations in the North Sea.  The MSV Well Enhancer was built in accordance with  Det Norske Veritas Rules for ships and the UK  Maritime and Coastguard Agency Regulations and also meets UK Health and Safety Executive requirements in regard to Safety Case legislation.

The vessel employs a hull based on the successful IHC Merwede Type 22 design that utilizes the field-proven dynamically positioned mono-hull design. Due to its rigorous engineering, the vessel qualifies as a full DP 3 vessel and can engage in well support, intervention and construction operations anywhere in the world.

Well Ops is a Helix Energy Solutions Group company engaged in rig alternative subsea well intervention and drilling. As such, it engineers, manages and conducts well construction, intervention and decommissioning operations worldwide in offshore waters from 200 to 10,000 feet.

Helix Energy Solutions is an international offshore energy company that provides development solutions and other key life-of-the-field services to the open energy market as well as to its own oil and gas business unit.