A scheme developed by Chevron to increase the amount of people working on its Captain field for asset integrity campaigns helped increase bed space and ease logistical issues during the recent helicopter crisis, a session heard yesterday.
Chevron used Ampelmann’s (stand 1B23) walk-to-work system on the Captain FPSO last year, and has been using an upgraded version of the system on the Captain wellhead platform this summer.
The system uses a hexapod system, using six hydraulic cylinders to compensate for the vessel’s motion.
Both campaigns have been using the Fugro Saltire ROV support vessel, with bed space for 105 people and able to carry out subsea and marine operations while staff are working on the Captain assets.
Speaking during the technical session, Enabling Field Life Extension, Mike Nunn, Chevron, said the use of the vessel and walk-to-work system added 50 extra personnel infield, working two 25-man shifts, adding 48,000 man-hours.
The 2012 campaign saw more than 270 integrity anomalies were addressed, with no days away from work, using 260 gangway connections, with 6,000 personnel transfers.
Uptime was 74% overall. The 2013 campaign, so far, has 91% uptime, using a larger system placed midships on the Fugro Saltire.
Nunn said that while the work to work system was a useful “augmentation” for crew transfer to shore, via Peterhead, it could not replace entirely helicopter transport to platforms.
The campaign is due to continue until October.
Subscribe
