Firm boosts local pipe lay with new vessel

An indigenous company, NigerStar 7, has acquired a new vessel named, ‘Seven Antares’, to enhance the laying of pipelines in the deep offshore.
  
The vessel, according to the company, would provide NigerStar 7 and the entire country a versatile pipe laying vessel ideal for conventional, heavy-lifting, and hook-up projects.   
   
The Seven Antares was built in 2009, and has a 300t main crane capacity, and is a 120t S-lay vessel with capacity to lay pipe of up to 60-inch diameter, with an accommodation area in excess of 330 berths and a deck area of over 1300m².
 
The acquisition of the Seven Antares adds to other recent investments made by NigerStar 7 to strengthen its local fleet, and its commitment to the development of Nigerian offshore oil and gas industry. This reinforces the company’s leading role in the ownership of Nigerian flagged vessels, and reflects its strategy of domiciling its fleet with the objective of meeting clients’ needs and the requirements of the Nigerian Local Content Act.
   
Sales and Marketing Director of NigerStar 7, Derek Izedonmwen, said: “The Seven Antares acquisition is a very important milestone for us. I’m deeply proud of this investment, as it reinforces NigerStar 7 commitment to invest in Nigeria through the acquisition of strategic local assets, and to continue to invest and to develop our people. The Seven Antares is currently laying pipe for one of our clients and I’m sure she will be kept busy supporting the growth of Nigeria’s energy industry.”
   
NigerStar7 Limited is a Nigerian company that brings together the engineering, installation and project management expertise of Subsea 7, with the fabrication capacity and capability of Nigerdock (a subsidiary of Jagal).