ABERDEEN-headquartered Maritime Developments Ltd (MDL) has assisted Saipem in progressing an LNG development offshore Greece.
The project consisted of a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) and a mooring and pipeline system, connecting the floating unit to the country’s National Natural Gas Transmission System (INGS).
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An MDL flex-lay spread was used for the installation of two flexible risers, a dynamic control umbilical and associated jewellery, connecting into a Pipeline End Manifold (PLEM) from the FSRU. Subsea pipelines then connected the PLEM back to the coastal valve station onshore.
The equipment spread consisted of a Horizontal Lay System (HLS), enabled with a TTS-4/180 Series Tensioner and an MDL Adjustable Deck Deflector, integrated with the client’s own equipment on board the Island Victory.
Efficient installation of 27 buoyancy modules was enabled by the MDL HLS, which features a wide work platform for safe personnel movements; large height clearance between the platform and the outboard chute; and a range of handling aids for convenient feeding of the buoyancy module halves into the firing line.
Optimised product handling was also ensured through the deployment of the MDL tensioner, featuring a longer track contact length and upgraded squeeze circuit compared to similar equipment on the spot market.
These features extend the window of product diameters and Coefficient of Friction that the tensioner can safely handle while maintaining secure grip and efficient deployment or retrieval – resulting in the most capable and versatile single-unit systems on the flex-lay market.
Unique to MDL’s complete tensioner range is the Failsafe Grip System feature for further peace of mind of optimised handling and continued hold of the product, even in case of critical power loss on the vessel.
Scott Stewart, MDL Project Manager, said:
“This has been a very interesting – and also challenging – project from start to finish, which makes it that much more rewarding to see it through to successful completion.
“Saipem needs no introduction and they own an impressive fleet of specialist assets to undertake a wide range of offshore operations. In this instance, they required MDL’s support, equipment and expertise with laying three products for the Gastrade project.
“With it being winter in the Mediterranean, we faced weather setbacks; but thanks to our modern technology and expert field service personnel, we were quick to respond to the changing conditions and progress with the installation as soon as it was safe to do so.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Saipem and assist with the delivery of the Gastrade project – eventually providing natural gas to the Greek Transmission System and onwards to final consumers in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary and Slovakia.
“I’m pleased that we have been able to support Saipem with our engineering and back-deck expertise at the different stages of this project – on and offshore – and hope to be able to do so on another scope in the near future!”
