Russia’s SOVCOMFLOT (SCF) has placed one of the world’s latest X-Bow seismic vessels in service under the name Vyacheslav Tikhonov following the signing of a long-term bareboat charter agreement with Dubai-based Polarcus. The 2011-built vessel, which is equipped with eight seismometer cable assemblies, has started seismic surveys for OAO NK Rosneft and ExxonMobil on Russia’s Tuapse Trough Project in the Black Sea.
The 4,771dwt ship, which measures 84.2m by 17m, is being jointly operated by SCF and OAO Sevmorneftegeofizika, one of Russia’s leading seismic companies, while technical management is being accomplished by SCF Novoship, Russia’s major tanker operator. The vessel has a cruising speed of 17 knots and a range of 12,000 nautical miles.
