New Engine Overhaul Allows Stena Spey To Maintain Busy Operational Schedule

Marine engineering and propulsion specialist Royston has completed the overhaul of diesel generators on board the semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit ‘Stena Spey’.

The work, which is part of an ongoing diesel engine maintenance and service programme for vessels owned by international drilling contractor Stena Drilling, saw cylinder heads, pistons and conrods overhauled as part of an extensive 12,000 running hour service of one Rolls Royce Bergen KVGB12 Diesel generators by Royston engineers onboard the vessel while it was located at Orkney.

Reflecting continued success for Royston in the offshore marine services sector despite current challenges, the work follows the previous overhaul of diesel power units onboard other Stena vessels, including the ‘Stena Don’ rig, and the 58,000 GWT ‘Stena IceMAX’ and ‘Stena Carron’ drill ships.

The engines were stripped down to allow engineers to carry-out maintenance and repair work on the 12-cylinder heads, two-unit inspections, main bearing inspection, camshaft inspection, timing chain and drive inspection. Other work, which included repairs to water leaks in No.3 generator, involved removing of cylinder head, piston and connecting rod and renewing the cylinder liner.

Following the service, successful trials were completed to check the performance of both engines and repair work was in-line with the manufacturer’s specification.

Gordon Paton, chief engineer at Stena, said: “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Royston. Their familiarity with both the engine type and this particular model means that all works were carried out efficiently and speedily, enabling the vessel to return to operations quickly and on schedule.”

Shaun Cairns, Royston’s operations manager, added: “Stena and other vessel operators can achieve considerable cost savings when using service providers like Royston without compromising the quality and standard of engineering work provided. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with them in the future as we successfully complete other projects.”

Part of a six-strong Stena Drilling fleet, the ‘Stena Spey’ is semi-submersible drilling, completion and workover vessel capable of undertaking drilling operations to depths of more than 8,000 metres in the harshest environments.