MARCH 15, 2013 — Halliburton's Angola-based stimulation vessel Stim Star Angola, is in the Port of Cape Town for scheduled repair work by DCD Marine.

"The choice of DCD Marine as a service provider was based on the previously successfully completed project undertaken by the company on Halliburton's Stim Star vessel during 2012," says Gerry Klos, General Manager of DCD Marine.

"A number of factors resulted in our selection of DCD Marine as a supplier of choice," says Mike Armour, Business Segment Manager for Halliburton. The Stim Star project, undertaken for Halliburton in 2012, entailed 5 000 stainless x-rayed steel welds, all of which were undertaken with a 100 percent success rate. In addition, not a single HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) incident occurred during the 66 000 man hours worked."

Mr. Armour also cites close proximity to Halliburton's Angola base as a major reason for selecting the port of Cape Town ship repairer. "DCD Marine has a multitude of maritime suppliers and vendors that they utilize in the area, resulting in fast turnaround times," he says.

The Stim Star Angola arrived in the Port of Cape Town in mid-January 2013 and will spend three weeks alongside the shipyard's A-Berth and three weeks in the nearby Sturrock Dry Dock, before returning to the West Coast of Africa.

"DCD Marine's scope of work for the project involves class inspections of the rudders and tail shafts including renewal of the seals; pipework, including antifouling pipe line, bilge suction line, cooler pipe lines, bulk system pipe work, generator cooling lines and diesel lines," says DCD Marine Senior Project Manager, Denver Arendse. "In addition, we will undertake installation of new anodes, renewal of stainless steel chemical lines, corrosive liquid tank lids, and associated pressure relief devices."

Finally, DCD Marine will undertake the blasting and coating of the hull, painting of various areas and tank work

"The most pressing challenge expected on the project is ensuring that the design drawings match the actual pipes onboard. DCD Marine will overcome this challenge by implementing a systematic programme of constantly liaising with the project team from Halliburton," says Mr. Arendse, who notes that, at its peak, the project will employ approximately 120 personnel, including subcontractors.