Madu / Anyala Surf 1 Offshore Campaign
MV Lone converted into a pipelaying vessel
Expanding offshore horizons
The Madu / Anyala Surf 1 project marked a milestone for SAL Heavy Lift – transforming the heavy lift vessel MV Lone into a fully equipped pipelaying vessel for a complex offshore campaign in Nigeria.
Working for Marine Platforms Ltd (MPL) on behalf of First E&P, SAL supported one of the country’s most significant offshore developments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s domestic energy supply and production capacity.
Turning a heavy lifter into a pipelaying unit
For this campaign, SAL’s engineering and offshore teams demonstrated the versatility of the Type 183 vessel MV Lone. Within 57 days, the vessel was converted from a heavy lift carrier into a pipelaying unit with full Special Purpose Ship (SPS) certification.
Mobilisation took place across four ports – Rotterdam, Hartlepool, Rosyth, and Lagos – where Lone was outfitted with a 1,450-tonne carousel, pipelay tower, reel-drive system, temporary living quarters for 100 persons, and extensive ROV and survey equipment.
Precision in planning and execution
The project scope covered the installation of mid-water arches, flexible flowlines, and umbilicals. A newly installed Fly-Jib extension enabled Lone to lift the 21-metre-tall mid-water arch – weighing 130 tonnes – and safely position it on the seabed. In the following phase, four risers up to 51 metres long were lifted, stored underwater, and subsequently installed by a secondary vessel.
The team completed the laying of 26 kilometres of flexible flowlines and umbilicals using the J-lay method in dynamic positioning (DP) mode – at speeds of up to 760 metres per hour.
This operation took place near a drilling rig under challenging offshore conditions, yet was carried out with exceptional precision and safety.
A milestone achieved despite global challenges
Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused major disruptions across the maritime sector, the project was completed on schedule and to the highest safety standards.
The successful delivery demonstrated the strength of SAL’s engineering expertise and the seamless cooperation between SAL, Marine Platforms Ltd, and the client’s offshore team.
