Page 48: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (May/Jun 2014)

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GLOBAL DEEPWATER REVIEW

Finally, a measurement head, including a six-head laser, measures the outer diameter (OD) and the umbilical then runs out on rollers, via a set of points, to either the south or north swan necks, sending the product down and out to either the north or south of the site.

Large bore center tubes (typically 2-4in.) will arrive in straight lengths to be welded together on site, before being reeled to enter the VHAM.

The VHAM building also contains an extrusion line, able to coat metal tubes with millimeter- thick sheath (PE, XLPE or

The north carousel. Photo from DUCO.

nylon) on half inch bore tubes or outer sheaths on speed at its widest point is as fast as an for a wireless network. umbilicals over and beyond the current

Olympic runner—although in reality the As the umbilical bundle moves up the record of 325mm OD for BP Skarv.

speed is not likely to need to be this high. tower, pulled by two automated and slip

Carousels

The VHAM has a SCADA-based sys- and grip pressure monitored caterpillar

DUCO’s investment included two new, tem, to ensure control and traceability tensioners, it passes through a weld- automated, chain-driven, large diam- of the process parameters and product ing bay, where steel tube sections are eter basket storage carousels, north and quality, on product ranging from complex welded or electrical cable spliced, and for south of the VHAM, both controlled by stiff umbilicals, to light fragile designs, digitally processed X-ray inspection. Pre- a wireless network, interconnected to with tension and pay-out speed pre-set forming rollers then put the helical shape the VHAM. In theory, umbilical lengths and monitored. into the umbilical tubes, before the mul- created on the VHAM could be unlim-

Due to the amount of instrumentation tiple components are wound together and ited, Probyn says. Carousel size, for and control this required, DUCO opted then wrapped in ? ber-reinforced tape.

Quayside upgrade aluminum conductors. Hammerhead crane, built in 1930, to

To make way for the VHAM and to upgrade Part of the work on the quayside site 325-tonne. the quayside foundations, DUCO’s also included upgrading a 250-tonne The crane, owned and operated by research and development quayside owner Shepherd facility and laboratory, which O