Working offshore Mexico in Campeche Bay, Saipem’s semi-submersible crane vessel Saipem 7000 set a new local heavy lift record of 11,100 tonnes in October for the Gulf of Mexico.

The previous local record had been set in 2007, again by Saipem 7000 and again in the Gulf of Mexico, during installation of a 10,473 tonne superstructure supporting the production facilities on the PB-KU-A2 platform.

The new record concerns the installation of a gas compression module for the CA-KU-A1 platform in the Ku Maloob Zaap oil field located offshore Campeche Bay in Mexico. This will allow for a significant production increase in the Mexican oil field.

During installation works, Saipem 7000 played host to executives from Mexico oil company PEMEX and Dragados Offshore, whose local branch built both the PB-KU-A2 and CA-KU-A1 platforms, setting the two heavy-lift records in the Gulf of Mexico along with Saipem.

With its twin fully revolving, bow-mounted Amhoist cranes, DP-class 3 capability and J-lay tower, Saipem 7000 can handle the entire work scope of offshore construction developments worldwide, encompassing pipelaying in water depths greater than 2,000 m and heavy-lift operations up to 14,000 tonnes. The semi-submersible crane vessel can assist hook-up and commissioning as well as initial platform life support activities.

Built in 1987 by Fincantieri Monfalcone Yard in Italy, Saipem 7000 is one of the largest crane vessels in the world, with an overall length of 198 m and beam of 87 m, with accommodation for up to 725.