A purpose-built geotechnical drilling vessel, the Fugro Voyager, is entering service with Fugro’s Offshore Geotechnical Division to expand the company’s operations in the frontier deepwater areas of the Asia Pacific region.

The new vessel has been specifically designed and built to address the varied demands of the region’s deepwater markets. At 83 m x 20 m, with a twin tower drilling derrick over a centrally located moon pool, the vessel has automated pipe and tool handling equipment to promote safe drilling floor operations. Equipment includes both downhole and seabed sampling and testing systems rated for 3,000 m (9,843 ft) water depth.

Fugro Voyager is equipped with a dynamic positioning station-holding capability (DP 2) and is built to Comfort Class COMF-V(3) standards, with quarters for up to 60 people.

The vessel represents a significant investment in deepwater equipment for the frontier areas of the Asia Pacific region and demonstrates Fugro’s commitment to the region, it said.

“With our specialist resources we are well-placed to help customers reduce the risks associated with wells and infrastructure as they venture into these remote expanses,” explained Jerry Paisley, Managing Director, Fugro Singapore Pte Ltd. “By permanently stationing this purpose-built deepwater asset in the region we are improving availability for our Asia Pacific customers and providing better workability to meet their project requirements.”

This month the vessel is departing for her maiden contract off the northwest coast of Australia, where she will undertake work to aid foundation design for seabed infrastructure. She will be performing seabed in situ testing, large diameter piston cores, drilled borings and downhole in situ tests in water depths up to 1,350 m (4,429 ft).