Osbit lands well intervention work

Helix Energy Solutions awarded Osbit Power a contract to manufacture three sets of offshore well-intervention equipment that include intervention tension frames (ITFs) and walk to work access systems.

A CGI of the ITF system being delivered by Osbit Power. From Osbit.

Measuring around 20m high and weighing in the region of 100-tonne, each ITF will be fabricated in the northeast 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 vessel 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. 

“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 OSBIT to maintain our commitment to delivering innovative and cost-effective systems,” says Tony Trapp, Osbit managing director. “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” 

Osbit previously secured contracts to deliver twin launch and recovery systems for ROVs and an umbilical and guide wire handling system for Helix.