PRODUCTION VESSEL DESTINED FOR OIL FIELD OFF VIET NAM

The semisubmersible production vessel destined for development of Dai Hung field off Viet Nam has left the U.K. on a tow to a Southeast Asian shipyard for refitting. Deepsea Pioneer will be used by Dai Hung operator BHP Petroleum Pty. Ltd. to begin production of as much as 25,000 b/d of oil starting in October. BHP has not decided which yard will perform refurbishment, but it has received a number of tenders. The vessel is due in Southeast Asia in late March and is currently off West Africa.