Page 32: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Sep/Oct 2016)

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Swimming

EPIC against the tide

Some companies are handling equipment, Saetre suggests. looking to reverse the

That’s just what AXTech trend of heavier duty is proposing. The ? rm has developed a vessel indepen- vessels with complex dent, light module handling deck equipment. Elaine concept, for quick mobiliza- tion, to be used over the side

Maslin looks into some or through the moon pool. lighter concepts.

The ? rst unit, for modules

Upper position up to 25-tonne, is due to be

Images outboard. ready for use in September. from AXTech.

ifting capacity on IMR It comprises a stand-alone

Upper position (inspection, main- tower, including integrated over rail (transit

L tenance and repair) hydraulic power unit, using from inner to outer vessels has been growing, from electrical and hydraulic position).

35-tonne to 70-tonne and even power and N2 energy storage, 420-tonne. to reduce power consump-

Operational capabilities tion, with a single interface have also increased; with sea on the deck of the vessel. states in which they can work The system, weighing about increasing from 2.5m-high 105-tonne, could be used on waves to 5.5m-high waves. a variety of vessels, such as

Vessels have become more platform supply and anchor and more specialized – and handling tug supply vessels, substantially larger. and other more traditional

Specialized equipment vessels with and without has had to be built for recent cargo rails (maximum size projects such as the Åsgard 3m-high by 1.5m-wide). and Gullfaks subsea compres- By using a slewing struc- sion projects offshore Norway. ture, the system can land and

Molde, Norway-based AXTech pick up modules from mul- was involved in designing a tiple slots on the deck and special lifting and handling does not require use of deck system for these two projects, transport systems. Different due to their scale being out- shaped modules can be side existing capabilities. handled by adjustable prongs

But, as systems have in- and are handled through the creased in size and complex- splash zone by an extended

AXTech’s light module handling system, Middle position in moonpool. Images from AXTech.

ity, costs have also increased, cursor guide frame, from says Asmund Saetre, sales manager, sector] North Sea weighing 1-tonne to where it is lowered using guidewires.

AXTech. Plus, while a few large projects 380-tonne. The vast majority of them Safe subsea landing and liftoff are en- need specialized equipment, the vast are less than 20-tonne with only a few sured by active heave compensation and majority of modules in the North Sea above 60-tonne,” he says. automatic rope tension (ART) winches are smaller and don’t need such large A sharp focus on cost in the current for the modules and guidewires. An ac- equipment. “There are more than 3000 climate also means ? rms are looking to tive marine, roll and pitch control stabi- modules (from small – choke modules, use smaller vessels, with fewer crew, lization system, from MRPC, also based multifunction intervention modules, rented equipment and shorter mobiliza- in Molde, can also be added. Saetre says control modules, etc. – to larger modules tion times. Such vessels could potential- the unit can by be mobilized on a vessel – Xmas trees, power modules, compres- ly be taken from the currently inactive within 48 hours and can be transported sor modules, etc.) in the [Norwegian ? eet, if you can use vessel independent by barge, truck or container.

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