MDL AME overhauls FPSO mooring chain winches

Maritime Developments Asset Maintenance & Engineering division has refurbished 2 mooring chain winches on board a North Sea FPSO.

The 2x 200Te units - Port Forward & Starboard Aft – were stripped down by an MDL Hydraulic Supervisor and Mechanical Technician and the hydraulic assemblies were moved to MDL’s Peterhead facility for assessment, overhaul and testing.

The MDL team then completed the reinstatement and function testing on board the FPSO.

MDL AME returned to the FPSO having refurbished the first of the three winches in 2020. At that time an MDL Offshore Equipment Superintendent performed a survey and onsite repairs during their visit, which allowed the winch to be re-commissioned and load tested ready for use.

But MDL’s service on the FPSO started a few years prior, when it performed a riser pull-in winch reinstatement in-situ, including respooling of the wire rope under tension and Comp-EX recertification of the HPU. Subsequently, MDL operated the equipment during riser recovery.

During their latest visit, the MDL team inspected mechanical and hydraulic components on the riser winch for wear and damage, and performed a function test for peace of mind ahead of future recovery operations.

Shaun Cooper, MDL Key Account Manager for AME, said:

“It’s a pleasure and privilege to be asked by the client to take on more maintenance scopes on board of the same asset. We feel like we know this FPSO intimately now, having serviced a range of lifting equipment over the last 2 years.

“Since it all started with a thorough inspection and survey report, our team can now approach each scope with a good understanding of the works that need to be done, keeping offshore call outs down to the necessary ones.

“I believe the biggest success of this continued relationship are the direct communications about the clients’ target schedules and the resources required to ensure the asset continues to be safely operational. It’s these open and honest conversations that allow us to truly add value to the client, on every work scope.”

MDL AME has built an extensive track record focusing heavily on efficient onshore planning prior to successful execution on location.

Using MDL in-house skillset, the division provides complete Project Management and Engineering; maintenance and integrity services on cranes; overhauling and manufacturing services on mechanical handling equipment; as well as maintenance and development of hydraulic systems, electrical systems and instrumentation.