Oceaneering International Inc. has entered into a two-year, multiservice vessel charter agreement with Shell Offshore Inc. for use of the Ocean Alliance in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico commencing Jan. 1, 2015.

The Ocean Alliance was built in 2010. It has an overall length of about 94 m (309 ft), a Class 2 dynamic positioning system, accommodations for 69 personnel, a helideck, a 150-ton active heave compensated crane, and a working moonpool. The vessel is outfitted with two Oceaneering work class ROVs and is equipped with a satellite communications system capable of transmitting streaming video for real-time work observation by shore personnel.

The vessel is expected to be used by Shell to perform subsea inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) projects and hardware installations. Projects are anticipated to include a wide range of intervention tasks, including chemical well stimulation and hydrate remediation. Hardware installations are anticipated to include flowline jumpers, umbilicals, production trees and flying leads.

Under separate installation and IMR frame agreements, Oceaneering may also provide project management, engineering, fabrication and vessel equipment and service packages to Shell on an as-needed basis to support the Ocean Alliance’s operations.