The versatile heavy-lift vessel JSD6000, owned by Italian energy services and engineering firm Saipem, has commenced preparatory activities at the Port of Genoa ahead of its deployment to the Neptun Deep natural gas development in the Black Sea.

Currently berthed at the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard, the vessel is undergoing technical, maintenance, and upgrade work, particularly on its pipelay systems, to ensure compliance with project specifications.

Upon completion of these tasks, the JSD6000 will be mobilized to the Neptun Deep project, where it is expected to play a pivotal role in subsea installation operations.

Delivered to Saipem in June 2024, the JSD6000 was specifically designed for deepwater S-lay and J-lay pipelay operations and also features significant heavy-lift capabilities.

The vessel is equipped with a J-lay system boasting a 1,500-ton laying capacity and a 2,000-ton tension capacity, along with an S-lay system with a 900-ton tension capacity for contingency scenarios. It also features a revolving crane with a lifting capacity of up to 5,200 tons.

The Neptun Deep project is being developed by a joint venture between OMV Petrom and Romanian state-owned enterprise Romgaz. The project is slated to commence natural gas production in 2027, with the aim of substantially boosting Romania's gas output.

The development encompasses three subsea production systems, a gathering pipeline network, an offshore gas platform, a main export pipeline to Tuzla on Romania's Black Sea coast, and a gas metering station.

OMV Petrom and Romgaz are jointly investing up to $4.3 billion in the project.