TPi July 2015

Mater ials handl ing & logist ics

DNVGL-qualified deepwater lowering system Cooperation between three companies developing solutions for deepwater installation has led to the introduction of a new system capable of handling heavy loads at depths of more than 3km.

The companies involved are Deep Tek, which provides a wide range of services to the oil and gas, salvage, scientific research and deep water mining sectors; Lankhorst Ropes, a rope technology innovator and manufacturer of high-performance synthetic ropes; and DSM Dyneema, the producer of Dyneema ® ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibre. Working closely together, the three companies have developed a fully integrated system based on Deep Tek’s drum winch technology for deploying and recovering payloads in deep waters. Deep Tek has developed and patented a spooling pattern that allows multiple layers of synthetic fibre rope to be spooled onto a load-bearing winch drum with no risk of cutting in. Lankhorst has created a new rope design with fully optimised fatigue and load bearing characteristics for use in the deepwater lowering system. This rope is based on DSM Dyneema’s DM20 XBO fibre and a proprietary coating technology.

The load-bearing winch drum from Deep Tek with patented spooling pattern

services group that is now part of the Mermaid Marine group of companies. Jaya will fit the system to 110-tonne cranes designed by JJ Offshore for two new 88m ships. Deep Tek’s managing director, Moya Crawford, commented that the joint development leverages the three companies’ technological capabilities and expertise, for the benefit of their customers: “It responds to the needs of vessel owners that wish to install higher loads in deeper waters using smaller and more economic vessels than before. It also addresses concerns of major oil companies about the rising cost of developing deepwater fields.” Wilco Stroet, senior vice-president maritime, oil and gas at Lankhorst Ropes, said, “All three partners believe the prospects for the new deepwater lowering system are excellent, and we will all be putting our weight behind the technology to make sure it succeeds in what are very competitive markets around the world.” Jorn Boesten, segment manager offshore at DSM Dyneema, added, “Dyneema fibres have outstanding potential in deep-sea environments, and we are very happy to work together with Lankhorst Ropes and Deep Tek to maximise this potential.”

The new system makes use of a rope condition management system and takes full advantage of Dyneema fibre’s strength, enabling vessel owners to maximise their vessel output by dispensing with the weight of steel wire. It is currently being qualified by classification society DNVGL using Assurance Case methodology, which enables introduction of new technology without relaxing certification requirements. The system has already found its first commercial success, with two orders placed by Jaya, an offshore energy

A new rope design from Lankhorst with optimised fatigue and load-bearing characteristics

DSM Dyneema – The Netherlands www.dyneema.com

55

www.read-tpi.com

July 2015 Tube Products International