Osbit Power to provide Helix with innovative Well Intervention equipment
Having already secured contracts to deliver twin Launch and Recovery Systems for Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and an Umbilical & Guide Wire Handling System for Helix, OSBIT Power will now also manufacture three sets of Intervention Tension Frames (ITFs) and Walk to Work access systems for the company.
Measuring around 20 metres high and weighing in the region of 100 tonnes, each ITF will be fabricated in the North-East of England, and production will be supported by the skills, products and services from the company’s predominately local supply-chain.
OSBIT has worked closely with Helix to develop their initial requirements into a flexible solution that meets the requirements of current and future intervention projects. The first two units will be delivered in 2016 for installation on Helix’s, under construction, Siem Helix 1 and 2 vessels. The third unit will be shipped to Singapore where Helix’s Q7000 is currently under construction at Jurong Shipyard.
On each vessel, the ITF provides a safer working environment from which coiled tubing and wire line operations can be conducted. Each ITF has three platform levels for personnel to safely and efficiently conduct operations using dedicated skidding systems. The ITFs will be attached to the Multi-Purpose Tower on each vessel which is accessible via a telescopic gangway; these walk-to-work systems remove the need for engineers to use rope access systems and are a significant step forward in safe vessel access.
Dr Tony Trapp, Managing Director of OSBIT Power, based in Riding Mill, Northumberland, said:
“We have established a successful working relationship with Helix and we are very proud to secure this latest project. The award of this work is testament to the talents of our engineers who have the ability to transform Helix’s original concept for the ITFs into an elegantly engineered solution.
“We are also pleased to be able to call upon the services of a talented and competitive supply chain, predominately in the North East of England, which enables us to maintain our commitment to delivering innovative and cost-effective systems.
“This is absolutely paramount in the energy sector’s current economic position and it is the role of supply chain companies like Osbit to continue to meet the requirements of the industry by the continual development of new technologies and solutions”