The spread consisted of a Horizontal Lay System (HLS) with the TTS-4/140 Series Tensioner, and a Generation 3 Reel Drive System. The scope covered recovery and installation of umbilicals and flexibles as part of an FPSO replacement. The project was part of the field’s infrastructure upgrade, aiming to reduce operational costs while increasing storage capacity and extending the production life.
The flexible products were handled through the vessel’s moonpool, enabled by the MDL HLS. The highly compact system allowed for efficient mid-line connections, by allowing safe and convenient hang-off for the product’s end terminations.
The integration of reel cradles and lashing points within the RDS track system facilitated quick mobilisation and demobilisation of the reels, as it eliminated the requirement for welding down cradles and reduced the requirement for pad eyes on the vessel desk.
As part of the scope, MDL also delivered the full sea-fastening design for the client’s back deck and provided materials and fabrication support to complete the mobilisation.
Euan Crichton, Project Manager at MDL, said, “This was an exciting project for MDL, partly due to the new location which grows further our West Africa track record, but also because of the short timescales the client was working to. For the Skandi Contractor, our compact systems proved to be the optimal solution. The HLS, tensioner and Generation 3 RDS make up a highly capable spread, enabling multi-reel installation over the moonpool.
“We are continuing our support to DOF in various global locations, configuring bespoke equipment spreads suitable to their vessels. So far, the open communications between the two companies have helped us zero in on the most efficient approaches to lay and retrieval scopes, to deliver maximum value.”
