Solitaire is the largest pipelaying vessel in the world and has set new standards in the pipelay industry. Operational since 1998 and optimised for laying medium and large diameter pipelines at high speed, she is highly competitive for pipelay projects anywhere in the world.
Precise manoeuvring on full dynamic positioning (DP) allows Solitaire to work safely in congested areas and lay pipes in very deep water. Pipeline start-ups and lay-downs are executed in very quick time ensuring that any disruption to other activities near platforms is minimised.
Based on the same principles as Lorelay, the long length and ship-shape allow Solitaire to accommodate multiple work stations and a greater pipe carrying (22,000 t). This makes her much less dependent on offshore pipe supply in hostile areas and ensures excellent workability.
Solitaire has achieved pipelay speeds in excess of 9 km/day, operating the latest version of Phoenix, the automatic welding system developed and manufactured in-house by Allseas. As a result of the large number of welding stations on board, Solitaire is capable of installing over 1,000 km of pipeline in a single year, while her average pipelaying speed on large projects is almost double that of the largest competing lay vessels.
Solitaire has laid numerous deepwater pipelines. In 2005 her S-lay capacity was increased to a holding force of 1,050 t (2,316 kips), enabling her to lay the heaviest pipelines. In 2007 she set the world record for ultra-deepwater pipeline installation by laying pipe at a depth of 2,775 m (9,100 ft). Solitaire's high cruising speed, high laying speed and substantial carrying capacity make Solitaire highly competitive for pipelay projects anywhere in the world.
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Length overall (incl. stinger)
397 m (1,302 ft) -
Length overall (excl. stinger)
300 m (984 ft) -
Length between perpendiculars
249 m (817 ft) -
Breadth
41 m (135 ft) - Maximum speed
13.5 knots - Accommodation
420 persons -
Total installed power
51,480 kW -
Dynamic positioning system
NMD Class 3 / LR DP (AAA),
fully redundant Kongsberg K-Pos DP-22, K-Pos DP-12 and 3 x cJoy system -
Deck cranes
Two pipe transfer cranes:
35 t (77 kips) at 33 m (108 ft) main hoist capacity, 18 t (40 kips) at
42 m (138 ft) whip hoist
Special purpose crane:
300 t (661 kips) at 17 m (56 ft) main hoist capacity, 40 t (88 kips) at 57 m (187 ft) whip hoist capacity
PLET installation frame:
400 t (882 kips) -
Working stations
Two double-joint factories, each with 3 welding stations and 1 NDT;
Main line with 5 welding stations for double joints, 1 NDT station and 4 coating stations -
Tensioner capacity
3 x 350 t (3 x 772 kips) at 30 m/min (98 ft/min) -
Pipe diameters
From 2" to 60" OD - Pipe hold capacity
22,000 t
