Rework APAC project sourcing for vessel and decommissioning shifts

What happened

Xodus expanded its role on an Australian offshore decommissioning programme to support environmental approvals, oil‑spill modelling and implementation planning for Phases 2 and 3. Phase 2 covers permanent plugging and abandonment of subsea wells and Phase 3 covers removal of subsea infrastructure, tying regulatory work directly into heavy‑transport and tow planning. Watch whether the operator expects integrated bids for approvals plus execution or will lot scopes separately for competitive tenders

Why the category manager should care

Treat this as a live, sequenced execution programme that will need contractor readiness, not just an advisory procurement

Key facts

• Phase 2: permanent plugging and abandonment of subsea wells
• Phase 3: decommissioning and removal of remaining subsea infrastructure
• Xodus scope: environmental impact assessments, EPBC Act approvals support, oil‑spill modellin

What happened

Bourbon’s new IMR vessel (Evolution 810) entered service and began a long‑term contract offshore India, providing active heave‑compensated cranes, ROVs and DP3 capability. The vessel increases local IMR capacity and deepwater lift capability in the Indian market, which may reduce immediate spot charter pressure nearby but concentrate capacity under long contracts. Watch whether this contract frees up spot tonnage regionally or simply reallocates mobilisation premiums to the incumbent operator

Why the category manager should care

Expect some localized relief in spot charter availability but plan for incumbency effects where vessel access is contractually committed

Key facts

• Bourbon Evolution 810: two active heave‑compensated cranes (40t and 150t)
• Equipped with two 200 HP ROVs and DP3 system for deepwater operations
• Delivered in Singapore and now under long‑term contract offshore India

What happened

Asso.subsea has been revealed as the buyer of the IMR vessel Viking Reach, a work‑class asset with a 70‑ton AHC crane and work‑class ROV spread. The acquisition includes specialized subsea equipment and is subject to closing conditions, so the capacity change is conditional for now. Watch for post‑closing recharter or redeployment plans that could alter regional IMR availability and mobilisation windows

Why the category manager should care

Treat reported capacity changes as provisional until closing and updated deployment plans are published

Key facts

• Vessel: 85m IMR vessel with 70t AHC crane and integrated WROV and survey spreads
• Sale completion expected subject to customary closing conditions
• Asset described as flexible for subsea cable protection and multi‑purpose subsea roles

What happened

ExxonMobil selected Sercel’s Marlin SIMOPS platform under a one‑year contract to provide live geospatial coordination and 24/7 support for complex offshore operations. The contract shows real‑time operations platforms are being embedded into project execution, delivering clearer situational awareness but creating uptime, onboarding and data‑residency dependencies. Watch for the specific SLA, onboarding test and cyber requirements that procurement should standardize when similar platforms are included in RFx

Why the category manager should care

Include uptime, onboarding verification and support commitments when procurement engages SIMOPS vendors

Key facts

• One‑year contract including full system configuration, onboarding and 24/7 operational support
• Platform provides live, time‑based geospatial views for concurrent offshore activities (SIMOPS)
• Deployed to support a high‑activity, multi‑asset offshore development