Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Rotorheads
Reload this Page >

North Sea, trial rig transfers by boat instead of helicopters

Rotorheads A haven for helicopter professionals to discuss the things that affect them

North Sea, trial rig transfers by boat instead of helicopters

Old 27th Sep 2014, 14:46
  #21 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Netherlands
Age: 54
Posts: 3,163
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
This thread is most interesting to me. (not being a pilot myself, I am occasionally one of your passengers on the (mostly Dutch) North Sea.
The improved capsule to which Diginiagain is referring is the Frog. It has shock breakers under de seats. I found it very comfortable but as a passenger you have less self-control in case of emergency (immersion or tipping over) as you are strapped in. Offshore Personnel & Cargo Transfer Solutions | Reflex Marine | Reflex Marine


The Billy Pugh is still on board almost every drilling rig and occasionally used in the North Sea. The oil companies keep it as a last resort. Helicopter is the preferred and prescribed way of transfer (and perceived the safest) The risks with Billy Pugh transfer are in the possibility of snagging of the guide lines; the high impact at rough seas and last but not least: crane operator induced oscillation.
Operating a Offshore Crane - The Wrong Way




Oscillation is best dampened by dipping the Billy Pugh in the sea but that does not make the passengers more happy. I only have been transferred to a boat by Billy Pugh after 3 days of mist. But after 3 days of mist the sea is dead calm so very little risk on high impact.
The DP Gezina which is being used by Perenco does not uses the Billy Pugh or Frog but has an “Ampelmann”. http://www.ampelmann.nl/products/s2s/



This is a gangway which is mounted on a wave motion compensating hydraulic suspension. This is a Dutch development which originates from the idea to mirror the hydraulic suspension of flight simulators! As already mentioned by EESDL this works up to about 2,5 Hs significant wave height. (with 2 m hydraulic cylinders, it should be able to expand the envelope but would need larger cylinders) Ampelmann suggests/mentions on their website that this would give 87% up time in the Southern (Dutch) North Sea. I question that.



Fact is that it is nothing new. As far as I know in 2006 the Smit Kamara was the first supply vessel on the North Sea equipped with a wave motion compensated gangway operating for NAM/Shell. The gangway requires a docking station/step-over platform on the fixed platform or windmill, which can be up to 20 m above sea (but usually lower). At this moment the REM Star and the REM Mermaid have such gangways and are operating from Den Helder.



These vessel are specifically NOT intended for crew transfer to larger Manned platforms far away but are used as smaller mobile maintenance stations to serve NUI’s which have no proper accommodation. This eliminates that maintenance crews loose much hours by heli transfer every morning and evening. In Southern North Sea NAM/Shell have 3 satellites which are so small that they do not even have a heli deck! These are designed to be visited for maintenance solely by these “Walk to Work” vessels and they plan to do so only every two years!

It is true that a lot of the maintenance people do not love this way of “Walk to Work” as when they are working they are on a stable platform, but when they go to bed they are subjected to the wave motions of the vessel. Sea-sickness is indeed very common! I think it will only be a few years before dedicated SWATH type (fast semi-submersibles) are fitted with an Ampelmann and will reduce those complaints. These SWATHS are already been introduced in Windfarm maintenance and Pilot vessels.
http://www.loodswezen.nl/nl/materieel/swath/1823/
http://www.odfjellwind.com/

So yes it is a thread for some helicopter operations.
But also something good may have come out of it:
Another Dutch company Barge Master has copied the idea and first developed it into a motion compensated crane foundation. Lately they have teamed up with aluminium helideck producer Bayards to introduce a motion compensated helideck on board ships.
http://www.barge-master.com/products/motion-compensated-helideck.html



I was not able to find any data on significant wave heights or maximum amplitudes which can be absorbed, but I think you would need pretty long cylinders to compensate the full motion of a ship in conditions where this is beyond the ability of helicopters to land. Can anybody give some answers on the maxima which can be handled by an helicopter without any compensation? I guess it will aim to reduce maximum amplitudes too, say, 50% to increase operational limits.



SLB
Self loading bear is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2014, 15:48
  #22 (permalink)  
pzu
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: N Yorkshire, UK
Age: 76
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Devil Boat Jumping

SLB

Don't know if it's coincidence or not, but whilst watching your YouTube clip, the Ad that came up was offering something about a 'RETIREMENT GUIDE'!!!

But back to thread - Many moons ago as a young BRITISH Contractor on contract offshore Dubai to an 'Okie' outfit - you know the one, that World Leader in Safety that developed the STOP program (amongst others), they did in-field transfers by boat, usually laying alongside a lower landing deck - this quite often required use of a monkey rope, however if it was a bit choppy they switched to crane & basket

During my Festive Run ashore to play Santa Claus, I ended up with a broken wrist - however that safety conscious company still demanded my presence offshore, it was that or a ticket home!!! Somehow I survived!!!

This was the same company whose Field Foreman (GOD) completed an accident report involving a colleague who in typical Brit (mind you he was a Taff) fashion responded " Not as far as I know" to the question about his offspring - Six weeks later back came a Telex from Ponca City querying the response!!!

PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
pzu is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2014, 16:43
  #23 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 2,953
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
This is the boat/system that Perenco are trailing:

DP Gezina/Galyna - YouTube

It doesn't involve a crane.


http://www.cfbv.com/walk-to-work-vessels/
Bravo73 is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2014, 19:02
  #24 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: uk
Posts: 1,658
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
So, if a rig with say 100+ people on it requires a crew change every two weeks, as is often the case in many parts of the world, and over 15+ rigs/vessels/fpso's/tankers nearby all requiring the same, then is one boat going to accomplish this? Nope. It's going to need a fleet. Then what happens when the sea state goes above 3m? AND, the distance between the furthest rigs is 100miles+? Can a boat do this in a day? Nope.

Some bases flying offshore can do up to 19 flights a day, transferring hundreds of personnel A DAY. I wouldnt worry about losing your offshore flying to a boat anytime soon.
helimutt is offline  
Old 28th Sep 2014, 00:23
  #25 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Aer
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
SEACOR are offering fast cats with connections to heave compensated gangways capable of transporting up to 80 people at a time in "business class" comfort.
terminus mos is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2015, 01:46
  #26 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Age: 75
Posts: 4,378
Received 24 Likes on 14 Posts
New ship is expected to help cut southern North Sea costs

A new maintenance support ship for Shell’s southern North Sea gas operations made its first appearance in UK waters at the weekend.

Shell said the vessel, named Kroonborg, would change the way the company and partner Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) operated more than 50 gas producing platforms.

It is expected to reduce the cost of operating smaller gas fields, which are becoming increasingly prevalent, by improving the productivity and safety of maintenance engineers.

The Kroonberg, owned by Dutch company Royal Wagenborg, can carry up to 60 workers who would previously have travelled by helicopter and stayed on platforms for two weeks at a time.

Shell said it combined the capabilities of a supply boat – carrying food and equipment – and standby vessel, which provides support in an emergency).

It will also transport workers directly to gas platforms, potentially reducing by 25% the number of helicopter flights required.

The new vessel will support up to three platforms at a time and allow staff to move between platforms when jobs are complete, which – along with a fully-equipped workshop on board – is expected to increase the number of productive man-hours offshore by 20%.

Shell and NAM project leader Haije Stigter said: “It’s crucial, particularly in a low oil price environment, to keep an eye on the cost of operating smaller gas fields in the southern North Sea.

“The Kroonborg will make a big difference by allowing us to use manpower and equipment more efficiently.”

The new ship was shown off to Shell and NAM staff at an open day in Great Yarmouth on Saturday. It will start work in the Dutch and UK southern North Sea within weeks.

John Eacott is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2015, 07:37
  #27 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 5,222
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
So it's a workboat. Carrys men and equipment and ties up alongside an unmanned platform to carry out maintenance, workovers etc...

in good weather.
Fareastdriver is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2015, 09:07
  #28 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: uk
Posts: 1,658
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I can see many offshore workers preferring this though. They can technically become seafarers, tax free, and enjoy the pitching and heaving associated with this size of vessel in the north sea.

I hope its a great success
helimutt is offline  
Old 5th Jul 2017, 00:39
  #29 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Somewhere very sunny !
Age: 53
Posts: 338
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
How did this trial go, was it a success ??
Impress to inflate is offline  
Old 5th Jul 2017, 15:31
  #30 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Netherlands
Age: 54
Posts: 3,163
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Originally Posted by Impress to inflate
How did this trial go, was it a success ??
This is No trial.
The Smit Kamara could be regarded the trial. This ship is purpuous build.
Aim was 20% efficiency increase, after one year they reached 30%.NAM viert eerste verjaardag van onderhoudsschip Kroonborg | NAM
In Dutch of course

Cheers SLB
Self loading bear is offline  
Old 5th Jul 2017, 19:57
  #31 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
To echo SLB. My company did some of the risk assessment work for the Smit Kamara. At that time it looked better than rotary.

Years roll by, ship transfer by either crane or gangway is literally hundreds and thousands (orders or magnitude to those in the know) safer than helicopters.

They will not take over, the time and resistance of the workforce to sea going and the rest will always make it a second choice - but one which is so much cheaper it will eat into the helicopter market.

In the southern sector it will restrict the helicopter market, less so up north but eventually expensive and dangerous helicopters will seem an extravagance.
gasax is offline  
Old 6th Jul 2017, 07:10
  #32 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: uk
Posts: 1,658
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
dangerous helicopters? hmmmm
helimutt is offline  
Old 6th Jul 2017, 10:27
  #33 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Den Haag
Age: 57
Posts: 6,218
Received 317 Likes on 176 Posts
Years roll by, ship transfer by either crane or gangway is literally hundreds and thousands (orders or magnitude to those in the know) safer than helicopters
My company has conducted several research projects over the years, comparing transport modes, and the results are nowhere close to your assertion. Country variations are marked, but typically the differences in risk are single digit multiples. You might want to revisit your understanding of 'orders of magnitude'...
212man is offline  
Old 6th Jul 2017, 15:52
  #34 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Downeast
Age: 75
Posts: 18,267
Received 467 Likes on 191 Posts
Early days in the Ninian we lived on a Semi-Submersible and walked to work....then flew the shuttle flights to the platforms and back to the platform the helicopter lived on....then we walked back home to where we lived.

Watching the walkway shuttle back and forth to judge where the stepping on/off point was could get interesting.
SASless is offline  
Old 6th Jul 2017, 22:25
  #35 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Cornwall
Age: 77
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I remember doing the crew change for the Beryl Safety boat by winch. Mobil/Maersk had done a risk assessment and had decided to do the crew change by helicopter (Public Transport restrictions, of course) rather than by basket

Talking to the Maersk crew they preferred the helicopter winch transfer too

TC
TipCap is offline  
Old 7th Jul 2017, 03:17
  #36 (permalink)  
Hughesy
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Here is the boat that will be trialled.
Not that good overall but will get there in the end.
Go NZ!

 
Old 8th Jul 2017, 18:50
  #37 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Netherlands
Age: 54
Posts: 3,163
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Total going same way

Total is going the same way as NAM/Shell in the Dutch Northsea. They have chartered from Bibby:

Offshore Energy Today Mobile

SLB
Self loading bear is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.