FEBRUARY 26, 2013 — Paris headquartered Bourbon has taken delivery of the Bourbon Evolution 803, the third vessel in what Bourbon says is the first large IMR (Inspection, Maintenance, Repair) series for the offshore industry.

Resource exploration is going into increasingly deep waters and the new milestone for oil and gas marine industry operations is now at 2,500 to 3,000 meters. To meet this requirement, back in February 2008 Bourbon announced that it had ordered a series of 10 new generation, innovative, multipurpose and highly efficient IMR vessels designed by GPA (Guido Perla & Associates) with appropriate equipment to support its oil clients in expanding their deep offshore operations: the Bourbon Evolution 800.

The 95.6 m long x 21 m beam vessels are being built in China by Sinopacific shipyard and the first of the ten, the Ungundja, has been operating off the coast of Angola since the end of 2011. The second in the series, the Bourbon Evolution 802, was delivered in September 2012 and operates off the coast of Nigeria. The just delivered Bourbon Evolution 803 will soon be operational in Malaysia.

Total E&P Angola has said the Ungundja has "really added value to offshore operations" as these become more numerous and meticulous and require larger lifting systems."

The Ungundja has been used to installed numerous jumpers and christmas trees on the Dalia and Pazflor fields as well as other standout operations.

The Bourbon Evolution 802 joined the fleet in September 2012 and operates off the coast of Nigeria. Most recent addition to the series and delivered at the end of January 2013, the Bourbon Evolution 803 will soon operate in Malaysia.

Download the Evolution 800 Series specifications HERE