MDL tech helps boost West African developments

MDL flex-lay technology has supported two installation projects in West Africa.

On the first scope in Gabon, the MDL TTS-4/140 Series Tensioner – a 4-track system with a 51Te line pull at 0.07CoF (Coefficient of Friction) - was mobilised on an offshore supply vessel (OSV) and integrated with a third-party lay ramp. It was used for the installation of a 12” production line as part of a facility expansion; the tie-in connected an FPSO to a production platform, reconverted from a MODU.

Following the successful completion, the tensioner was immediately re-mobilised for a second project in the West African basin on another OSV to join the MDL Generation 2 Reel Drive System, complete with the Integrated Track & Cradle System.

The spread was deployed offshore Angola to install a 94mm umbilical from an 11.4m reel. The scope was to replace a defective electrical cable in a producing field.

Dave Gardiner, Global VP at MDL, said:

“With the Gabon campaign we kicked off yet another year with one of our regular clients; it’s no wonder that by this point we have very open communications between the two companies, allowing us to optimise the mission-specific packages, in line with the client’s execution schedule and our asset availability. This campaign in West Africa was no different.

“Despite two different locations, vessels and project teams, the client requested the same MDL personnel on both projects, recognising their particular expertise, but also the benefits of crews that are familiar with each other and with the processes and procedures to ‘hit the ground running,’ so to speak.”