Ampelmann, a provider of safe offshore access to the energy industry, has released it latest Walk to Work system which has been specially designed for operation in extreme cold conditions.
The N-type, nicknamed Icemann, was officially launched in Rotterdam, Netherlands with 200 guests in attendance.
Designed to safely and efficiently transfer crew in extreme icing and temperatures as low as -28°C (-18°F), the fully enclosed and insulated system is operational in sea states up to 3.5m significant wave height and comprises active motion compensation. The Icemann rotates to 360° and is controlled from the vessel with flexibility in platform landing locations and directions.
Walk to Work systems, where workers transfer between offshore platforms and adjacent vessels, are increasingly being used by the offshore industry as an alternative to helicopter and basket transfers.
Ampelmann created the Icemann in response to growing demand for effective and safe personnel transfer equipment in frontier regions. The company anticipates strong demand for the Icemann to service remote and extreme cold oil and gas areas in non-Arctic Russia, Norway and Canada as well as regions of the Caspian Sea.
Ampelmann announced last year that Sakhalin Energy had ordered an Icemann system for use at the Sakhalin-2 field in eastern Russia (outside of the Arctic Circle). Set to be installed later this year, Ampelmann has worked closely with Sakhalin Energy to tailor the system to the unique requirements of the project which will be installed on one of the company’s ice class vessels for the next 10 years.
“The system has been designed from the bottom up with every single component selected for its ability to operate in these extreme conditions,” said Jim Craig, chief executive officer, Ampelmann. “Given the remoteness of the work, it is crucial that maintenance is minimal and this has been reflected in the design.”
Image:Icemann system/Ampelmann
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