FPSO operator situation
Located in West Africa, a FPSO operator used a SMIT bracket in place of a Quick Release Hook/Quick Release Mooring PODx.
A SMIT bracket is not suitable to disconnect a chain under tension in emergency scenarios as it relies on hitting the pin in the SMIT bracket with a hammer at the precisely the right time. This is both unsafe and unreliable.
A SMIT bracket is not suitable to disconnect a chain under tension in emergency scenarios as it relies on hitting the pin in the SMIT bracket with a hammer at the precisely the right time. This is both unsafe and unreliable.
Shown: Actual SMIT bracket in location on FPSO
Summary specification reference
FPSO details:
- FPSO located in West Africa
- FPSO built in 1993
- Gross Tonnage 78710
- Summer Deadweight (t) 145243
- Length Overall (m) 274
- Beam (m) 44
FPSO quick release mooring required:
- Tandem offloading operation
- Safe Working load 200 T
- Orientation: Horizontal
- Installation area: poop deck
- Bollard type: strong point
- Fairlead: 200 T
- Operation: at HPU
- Distance between quick release mooring and HPU: 25m
- Connection type: 3” chain
- Frequency of offloading crude operation: once every 5 weeks
- Simple retrofitting requirement
After a detailed technical assessment, Gall Thomson offered a PODx 200T with a bespoke Reflex HPU with two shackles.
Testing and confirmation
PODx was tested under full release load as per OCIMF requirements and a static load was maintained at 1.5 x the safe working load.
Load test summaries
Test specimen: PODx
|
Type |
250T SWL |
|
Material |
S690 |
|
Operating method |
REFLEX HPU - 350 BARG |
|
Control line length |
20 Metres |
Results
|
TEST |
SWL |
LOAD |
CYCLES |
TEST DWELL |
TYPE |
PASS/FAIL |
|
1 |
1.5 x SWL |
300T |
1 |
2 minutes |
Static hold |
PASS |
|
2 |
1 x SWL |
200T |
1 |
2 minutes |
Dynamic release |
PASS |
Upon reception PODx was retrofitted within hours; without the need to weld an adaptor plate on the FPSO deck.
PODx has performed according to customer expectation and the operator is happy with its use and simplicity.
Shown: 200T PODx in operation with an offloading operation.
Shown: PODx compact layout with HPU in the background – highlighted within red circle
Shown: Simple PODx retrofitting operation with no welding on vessel deck
GTAC
The GTAC stamp of Approved Certifcation
