Ambient Lifting Transforms Traditional Subsea Heavy Lifting. Michael Cowie, Ecosse Subsea Systems Wednesday 6 th & 7 th May 2015

Transcription

1 Ambient Lifting Transforms Traditional Subsea Heavy Lifting Michael Cowie, Ecosse Subsea Systems Wednesday 6 th & 7 th May 2015

2 Presentation Overview Introduction to Ecosse Subsea + ESS Ethos Current Subsea Lifting Techniques Ambient Lifting Summary

3 Introduction to Ecosse Subsea Systems Personnel ESS provide a specialist personnel and resourcing support business service across the full spectrum of offshore requirements. Today more than 350 million of subsea projects are managed by ESS personnel resource for and on behalf of our clients. Engineering Consultancy Ecosse offer bespoke engineering and design solutions with a team combining a vast experience curve, specialist subsea expertise, coupled with procurement, fabrication, and installation know-how. Pipe-lay Engineering ESS Pipe-lay technologies comprises of innovative patented offerings specifically developed over more than 25 years to address subsea operational challenges. These include trenching, cable/pipe-lay, and lifting applications. Ambient Lifting ESS subsea lifting and positioning technologies Ambient lifting is a flexible mechanism using incompressible gas which facilitates control of the ascent, descent and underwater positioning of offshore structures. Equipment Hire A wide range of equipment is available for hire to support and deliver subsea installation projects. Including Te Carousel, 10Te Hydraulic Tensioners, SCAR Plough in its four configurations and PREP (Plastic Reeled Elastic Pipe-lay System).

4 ESS Ethos Subsea Services that are Client focused and provide solutions that are: Simple Safe Robust Cost-effective Using: Off-the Shelf Components Local vessels, equipment and personnel To: Negate the requirement for specialist vessels Deliver recoverable & recyclable products Drive down costs ESS has been described as a Pseudo -Contractor A business that not only undertakes subsea services but is continually re-investing in new technology and innovation quite unusual!

5 Conventional Subsea Lifting

6 Conventional Subsea Lifting Techniques rely on the following: - Subsea Construction Support Vessels/Dive Support Vessels - Heavy Work Class ROV s - Divers - Air filled lift bags

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8 Ambient Lifting

9 Ambient Lifting Value Proposition What is the Value Proposition offered by Ambient Lifting? Existing subsea lifting spreads with 400Te crane can cost circa 300,000 per day With Ambient Lifting: Spread cost is more than halved Weather risk is significantly reduced Vessel choice is increased

10 Ambient Lifting Arctic Regions Value Proposition What are the additional Value Propositions offered by Ambient Lifting when used in Arctic Regions? Small support vessels required, these are available on both east and west NA/Canada Ideally suited for local operational ports, supported by local crews Towed and self supporting lifting operation expands operating weather capabilities. Once out of port, tow can be surface, nearsurface, midwater or near-bottom to suit weather conditions and sea-state

11 Ambient Lifting General Overview Ambient lifting is a flexible mechanism that allows you to control the lift, shift and manoeuvre of subsea structures. Innovative subsea lifting without use of heavy-lift vessels. Ambient lifting can be used in a variety of industries including Oil & Gas, Decommissioning, Offshore Wind, Wave & Tidal Energy.

12 Ambient Lifting Applications Oil & Gas Industry: Decommissioning: Renewables Industry: Salvage: Seabed Mining:

13 Ambient Lifting Technical and Commercial Features Technical: Safe, simple & robust Buoyancy and ballast pressure containing system Fully scalable Can lift <1Te to >1000Te Suited for confined operating spaces All testing/commissioning done on land Controlled descent & ascent for underwater ROV or diver positioning Low sensitivity to surface weather conditions for installation Recovery process is reverse installation process Commercial: Low cost materials Off-the-shelf components Can be built by local contractors Rapid fabrication, sized to suit application Re-usable Installed by small vessels Negates the need for expensive heavy lift vessels

14 Ambient Lifting: Theory and Examples

15 Structure Installation Example Te 250Te In air structural weight 0kg 15

16 Structure Installation Example Te 250Te In-water structural weight Buoyancy in receptacle designed to ensure structure is neutrally buoyant Neutrally Buoyant 250Te 250Te 16

17 Structure Installation Example Te In-water weight increased by adding ballast material Structure sinks to floor in a very controlled manner 250Te 0-200Te 250Te 250Te 17

18 Structure Installation Example Gas is replaced or compressed by fluid Now in-water structural weight plus weight generated by water in receptacle Design ensures sufficient for temporary stability Te 250Te 200Te Te 250Te

19 Structure Installation Example Fluid is be replaced by denser fluid Fluid has SG = 3 and is pump-able On-bottom weight is trebled Structure is fit for extreme environmental loading Te 250kg 3 x Wt =600Te Te 250Te

20 Structure Installation Example Reverse process for recovery Fluid replaces heavy fluid Te 20

21 Structure Installation Example Te Structure is neutrally buoyant Structure is returned to surface in a very controlled manner 21

22 Structure Installation Example Te Structure on surface Can be towed to quayside for recovery Neutrally Buoyant 250Te 22

23 Structure Recovery Example Te Structure is designed to be buoyant when flooded with fluid Structure is positioned over structure to be recovered Neutrally Buoyant 50Te 23

24 Structure Recovery Example Structure is neutrally buoyant Structure encloses over top of structure and is locked in Te 50Te 24

25 Structure Recovery Example Te Fluid in receptacle is replaced by gas Structure is recovered to surface in a very controlled manner 50Te 25

26 Ambient Lifting Work undertaken to date Technology is patent pending, submitted July 2014 Prototype constructed, 1:10 model Test tank procured for ESS Workshop Successful prototype trials undertaken Trials witnessed by potential Clients Secured 1 st Project installation of gravity based foundation 400Te foundation being installed with multicats in extreme currents, June/July 2015 In tender discussions with 3 potential Clients for Ambient Lifting as lifting system and as removable foundation. Spoken to Diving TA s for Ambient Lifting as alternative to air-bags Evaluating and implementing feedback on system e.g. contingency measures

27 Ambient Lifting Ambient Lifting Ballast and Buoyancy Examples Ambient Lifting Manifold Installation Ambient Ballast GBS Foundation Ambient Buoyancy Module

28 Ambient Lifting Ambient Lifting ROV & Diver Configuration Typical weights and Dimensions: 1.5m diameter 2.5m length Subsea lifting capacity 2Te

29 Summary Outline of Ecosse Subsea Systems Size and Capabilities Overview of Ambient Lifting Technologies: Benefits both technically and commercially Theory of Ambient Lifting and Applications as a lifting device or as a foundation Emphasis on Ecosse Subsea s Fundamental philosophy of SAFE, SIMPLE, ROBUST but COST EFFECTIVE solutions.

30 Questions? Thank you. Michael Cowie Technical Director