A revolutionary concept of well intervention vessel with a tri-hull configuration, being developed by QinetiQ and Norwegian company Oilfield Technology Group AS. A SWATH vessel normally consists of two parallel torpedo-like hulls attached to streamlined struts which pierce the water surface and support an above water platform.
The advantage of such design is that it is more stable, less prone to pitching and rolling and requires less power for propulsion than conventional designs. QinetiQ’s unique approach to SWATH design is to develop vessels with a trip hull, which provides even greater stability and will allow oil companies to conduct complex works in very stormy waters.
The Tri/SWATH vessel should also allow the well intervention work to be performed at one fifth of the cost of traditional anchored, semi-submersible vessel, or less than half of the cost of dynamically-positioned one.