Semisub back as floatel after 14 years laid up

Plant Recovery Company semisubmersible Ocean Prospector, Ocean Victory class model

Phoenix from the ashes: Semisub Ocean Prospector is being prepared for a return to offshore duty.

THE semi-submersible Ocean Prospector, designed and built by Odeco in 1971 and for the last 14 years a fixed landmark in the Texas skyline at Galveston Island, is being prepared for a return to offshore duty as a floatel to house several hundred platform workers.

The unit was recently refloated for the first time in over a decade for a tow across Galveston harbour to Malin International Ship ­Repair and Drydock, where the hull is ­being refitted for a wet-tow to as yet unnamed shipyard for conversion to an accommodation module.

Pasadena, Texas-based Plant Recovery Company (PRC), an asset recovery business, owns the Ocean Prospector in a joint venture with unnamed partners.

An official with PRC told Upstream that it is engaged in talks with other parties to secure a contractor for the unit.

However, one industry veteran claimed…

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