MDL supports TFMC SURF campaign in the Med

An MDL Generation 2 Reel Drive System (RDS) was used for the installation of umbilicals and flexibles in two fields in the Mediterranean Sea.

On the first mission offshore Egypt, the RDS spread installed two flowlines, two flexible jumpers and two umbilicals from 12 reels ranging from 8.6m to 11.4m in diameter. Once this was completed, the equipment remained onboard while the vessel, the North Sea Atlantic, was deployed on an intermittent project.

Subsequently, the RDS spread moved to a field further to the East to carry out the installation of 131.2mm – 159.2mm umbilicals from 11.4m reel and 9.2m reels.

In preparation for the individual missions in TechnipFMC’s campaign and in view of the high number of reels deployed, MDL engineered a deck layout solution that would allow convenient space for swapping the reels while not obstructing the intermittent project where the RDS would not be operational. This negated the need to remove the spread between projects, avoiding the requirement for a 2^nd sea-fastening scope.

Guy Trumper, Senior Project Engineer at TechnipFMC commented:

“MDL team were helpful and always available during operations, including clear communication with the vessel construction crew.

“[The] equipment had no downtime to the project and worked as required.”

Paul Marshall, who was the Senior Project Engineer on the scopes, said:

“MDL and TechnipFMC have a long-standing relationship and we have worked together on a number of projects across different geographies. This relationship continues to deliver project efficiencies, as the teams become so familiar with one another, with the equipment and the high MDL standard of service.

“By combining the two projects in the Mediterranean Sea and keeping the spread on board the vessel in-between missions, the client reduced the engineering, personnel, quayside operations and transportation costs that would be otherwise required for the mob and demob operations - resulting in significant cost savings to the client.”