Finishing touches: at Aker Kvaerner's Verdal yard
Aker Kvaerner joy as Blind Faith pays off
Aker Kvaerner has finished work on the semi-submersible hull for Chevron's Blind Faith platform.
The Norwegian player was handed the original engineering, procurement and construction job by Chevron and partner Anadarko in October 2005.
The semisub left Aker Kvaerner's Verdal yard in Norway on 24 June and has been transported to a Gulf of Mexico integration yard to be outfitted with the topsides.
Aker Kvaerner said the Blind Faith platform was the first use of its deep draft semisubmersible (DDS) concept, which was conceived specifically for the application of steel catenary risers in the ultra deep-water and current-heavy Gulf of Mexico environment.
Aker Kvaerner's deep-water business head Stein Rasmussen said: "The successful completion of the Blind Faith semi-submersible is an important milestone for Aker Kvaerner's deep-water business.
"This project provided Aker Kvaerner with the opportunity to demonstrate our ability to deliver a first-class deepwater project in a safe manner."
Before leaving the yard for its final destination, the Blind Faith hull was named Froya at a traditional naming ceremony at the Aker Kvaerner yard.
Aker Marine Contractors managed the dry transportation of the semi-submersible to the Gulf of Mexico using the HLV Tern from Dockwise as transport vessel, and will co-ordinate installation at its final location.
Once complete, the Blind Faith platform will be located in Mississippi Canyon Block 650, about 162 miles south-east of New Orleans, in water depths of 6500 feet.