Building integrated pipelaying vessels for Sapura Navegação Marítima (Sapura)
Integrating all critical equipment in the concept design phase and applying small but clever innovations results in efficient, safe and maintenance-friendly pipelaying vessels.
Laying pipe up to a depth of 3000m means a large capacity of the vertical flexlay systems. Two tensioners, together 550t, make sure they have sufficient tension capacity to hold the pipeline.
Read moreThe port of Vitoria in Brasil dictates a restriction in length and air draught.
Read moreThe vessel was delivered on time and due to a smooth delivery process operations could start straight afterwards. A pipelay simulator was delivered to train the crew, which enhanced safe and quick start of the operations.
Read moreDesigning and constructing five fully integrated 550t pipelaying vessels for Sapura with the capability to lay pipe at a depth of up to 2,500m.
To accommodate pipe loading over the stern without exceeding the maximum length of 146m, the chutes are integrated into the steel structure. Pipe is fed through a loading tensioner on deck and passes over intermediate guide chutes, before being loaded into one of the underdeck carousels.
Depending on the diameter of the pipeline, different pads on the tensioners are required. With 350 pads per tensioner, this can be quite time consuming. IHC devised an innovative system with a single retainer – and pin to remove it – making it as quick and easy as possible.
One of the design criteria for Sapura vessels is the minimum air draft of 48m, which is required in order to allow each vessel to pass under a bridge en route to the pipe loading location. To achieve this air draft specification, the A&R post, top aligner and tower top crane can be tilted to the correct position within minutes.
The vertical lay tower is positioned directly aft of the accommodation and over the moon pool. This arrangement allows for a large worktable to carry out activities on pipes and pipe ends, leaving an additional large free deck area.
Integration of platform and mission equipment has been achieved through the use of the Integrated Vessel Automation vessel management system. This integrates the vessel’s power management system (PMS), DP system and alarm monitoring system (AMS) with the control and monitoring logics of the main switchboards and VFDs, and communicates with the lay tower control system.
To limit the need for spare parts, and to maximise uptime, IHC has designed the 550t pipelaying vessels for Sapura with a uniformity of components in mind. And as the 550t vessels are identical, operational and technical crew members are able to work on all vessels without the need for additional training.
Our flex-lay systems are tailored to suit customer requirements. The systems we supply range from standard modular units to highly customised and bespoke designs.
Read moreWe design and deliver 2-track tensioners in both horizontal and vertical track configurations, and 4-track tensioners. Our range of tensioners is ideal for flexible, rigid (coated) pipe- or cable-laying operations.
Read moreWe design efficient electrical, and platform and process automation systems for dedicated mission equipment, complete vessels or refurbishments.
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