Self Elevating

Jack Ups - The New

Offshore Workhorse
Capt Ron Mc Guire
MOU Manager
Zakher Marine International
 So Where Did the Name
Jack-Up Come From??
1955: First Elevating Boats built in Lousiana.
Vessels were small, unregulated, and found
only in GoM.
1985: Hurricane Juan widescale losses and
loss of life resulted in increased offshore craft
regulation.
2017: Well designed, highly regulated (IACS
MOU), multi-functional vessels
They Have a Variety of Names:

Elevating Boats, Liftboats, SEU,

Jack Boats, SEWOP,
SESP Jack Ups, Windcarriers,
Mobile Offshore Unit
And a Variety of Categorizations:

Construction barge
Offshore Maintenance Barge
Rigless Barge
Accommodation Barge
Windfarm Installation Vessels
Self Propelled Jack Ups in Service in the Middle
East 2008 - 2017
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
 Under
En Route;
Constructi
2
on ; 3
Cold
Stacked; 4 TOTAL 41

Idle; 7 Working;
25

Current Activities of Self-propelled

Liftboats in the Middle East Region
 So Why Have They
Suddenly Become so
Popular??
 Cost Saving and Necessity:

Many tasks can be completed at much

lower cost than a Drilling rig.
Many maintenance and construction
tasks couldnt be completed at all
24/7 working regardless of weather.
Totally self-sufficient in every way.
 Increased Safety and Capability:

Classed and Internationally Certified

and Regulated. IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL
Professionally certified and experienced
marine crews. STCW.
Bigger cranes, more deck space, more
beds, high VDL, DP2, large helidecks.
 Project Compatibility:

Barge operators and designers working

closely with the end-user to identify
client requirements.
Designing or modifying for specific
projects and uses.
Providing solutions to increasingly
challenging situations.
So Which Design is Best??
Different Tasks, Different Requirements:

Well Intervention: Deck Space, cranes, low

POB, frequent moves, tanks for brine, acid etc.

Maintenance/Shutdown Work: Large deck

space, high POB support, crane support.

Windfarms: Heavy lift crane, high VDL, large

deck space, high move frequency, DP2.
So What Should a Project
Manager be Looking at
Before a Barge is Selected
for a Job?
 Barge Facilities and Equipment:

Large Workforce? Hotel, office and

leisure facilities.
Cranes? - Height, reach, weight?
Deck space for tools, equipment.
Deck Utilities power, water, air.
Variable Deck Load?
 Self-Propelled or Not?

Frequency of barge moves

Moves to open locations or critical
positions?
Do Client procedures require DP2?
Are tugs available for non-propelled moves?
 Environment and Seabed:

Is the seabed at location clear of

pipelines, debris, cables and other subsea
infrastructure?
Can barge achieve a suitable air gap

Does the Site Specific Analysis confirm

location suitability?
 Quality, Safety, Reputation;

Highly Specialised Vessels. A Step beyond

normal Vessel Management

Specialised form of Management and

Operation and Specialised Experience.
 Reputation and Safety Record of the Barge
Operator

Track Record in Performing Similar

Projects

Quality and Experience of the Barge

Marine Crew
 The Result?
The Correct barge for the job
+
An Experienced and Reputable Operator
+
An Experienced and Competent crew
=
Task completed Safely and Efficiently
Thank You for Your
Attention

Any Questions?