at the hang off clamp. Handling quad joints from 4 - 36 in.
dia. and operating from 46 - 96˚, the tower can comfortably
lay in both shallow and deepwaters. An integral bulky item
handling system and adjustable stinger also contribute to
the high functionality and versatility of the system. The
key design drivers through throughout the development
were the efficiency of pipe handling operations to ensure
functionally safe equipment combined with low cycle time
and weight optimisation. By working closely with the client
throughout the process and utilising skills on both sides, this
has been achieved.
Now having subsequently been involved with the
design, manufacture and delivery of numerous and varied
pipelay systems and equipment, IHC Engineering Business
is in the advantageous position of being able to draw on
first-hand in-house knowledge to provide efficient, bespoke
engineering solutions to cover all laying requirements.
In 2014, IHC Engineering Business celebrated the contract
award for a next generation J-lay system to be installed on
client Petrofac’s new vessel, the
JSD6000
.
JSD6000 J-lay partnership setting new
standards
The offshore construction industry prides itself in never
standing still. The need to innovate in the constant search
for improvement and efficiency has, in a climate of
drastically reduced oil prices, never been more important.
As producers and global oil majors have seen revenues
shrink, the drive to reduce costs throughout the supply
chain is being felt by all involved. In parallel with the
downward pressure on prices and costs there has been a
sharper focus on the environmental impact of the global
energy industry.
The impact on new exploration and construction costs
has been particularly challenging and contractors are keen
to react positively. Key to reducing construction costs
and minimising the impact on the environment is a new
generation of safer, greener and more cost-efficient offshore
construction and support vessels.
Royal IHC is almost uniquely placed, as both shipbuilder
and mission equipment specialist, to react to the challenges
faced by the global industry it serves. The pipelay market
in particular is feeling pressures on costs, efficiency and
environmental impact as never before. The solution
is innovation and investment in a wide range of new
technologies to improve performance in all areas.
Petrofac – the international construction services
provider to the oil and gas industry – has initiated a huge
investment programme in offshore construction assets.
Petrofac’s
JSD6000
pipelay and heavy-lift vessel is currently
in build with a global supply chain for vessel and mission
equipment. IHC Engineering Business – IHC’s pipelay,
cablelay and subsea equipment specialist – were selected
by Petrofac to design and build a truly state of the art J-lay
system for deepwater pipelay.
Equipment choice
Any offshore deepwater pipelay asset is without doubt a
complex and valuable tool within an operator’s portfolio.
They need to be flexible and carefully designed to
allow the maximum usage to recoup the considerable
investment that has been made. This leads to vessels
generally being developed with a range of optional
configurations.
Some vessels concentrate on vertical lay but with a
range of equipment allowing a variety of lay speeds for
different water depths and pipe diameters.
Figure 1.
Petrofac
JSD6000
J-lay System concept (view from aft
side).
Figure 2.
Petrofac
JSD6000
J-lay System concept (view from
forward side).
90
World Pipelines
/
JULY 2015
