MAY 20, 2013 — Gibraltar ship repairer Gibdock has completed a refit of the seismic vessel WG Cook for WesternGeco, reflecting the shipyard's growing ability to attract return customers in the specialized offshore vessel market.

WG Cook is one of six 12-streamer, Ulstein ax-bow design 3D seismic ships delivered to the owner in 2010. The 19-day project was completed on time in preparation for WG Cook's deployment offshore Canada for a seismic survey.  

"The project was awarded on a competitive tender basis, while the location of the yard is also favorable for this project," says Mick Richardson, WesternGeco Fleet Technical Manager. "However, our return to Gibdock also reflects our preference for teamwork based on forward planning and our requirement for a strong commitment to QHSE. We were also pleased with Gibdock's preparation and pre-fabrication work."

Gibdock Managing Director Richard Beards says that the WG Cook project falls firmly in line with Gibdock's strategy to work in long-term relationships with "best in class" clients. "As well as delivering high quality work on a high-value vessel, this kind of project relies on transparency at the planning stage. This means final costs match estimates provided."

Mr. Beards says the close coordination between Gibdock's commercial and production departments proved pivotal to the project's successful execution, citing the key roles played in the Gibdock team by Estimator Carlos Anastacio and WG Cook Project Manager Filip Tsankov.

Gibdock allocated its largest dry dock to the project, allowing a variety of yard equipment to be deployed simultaneously. The dock's heavy lifting capability was also a factor, with one of its three cranes being occupied continuously by a 5 m exhaust extension and main mast modifications. Docking repairs also included the replacement of the ship's thruster z-drives, box cooler removal, sea chest modification, hull blasting and painting.

Particularly demanding was upgrade and modification of WG Cook's hydraulic pipes on two decks, and modification of hydraulic lines after equipment relocation. The WG Cook project included work on hydraulics, so skills available in this trade were a particular focus, with close co-ordination between the ship's owner, the yard and the yard's subcontractors.

"Around 300 personnel from the yard and the owner were onboard the vessel during the project's peak period," says Mr Beards. "Co-ordinating work so that completing one job did not interfere with another was a critical factor in redelivering WG Cook on schedule and with no serious QHSE incidents."