Fibre optic umbilical spooling

A deck equipment owner approached MDL with an urgent requirement to spool a fibre optic umbilical onto a winch that had recently undergone a full overhaul. While the refurbishment had restored the winch's functionality, the unit still needed to be loaded with product ahead of imminent deployment offshore. Due to the costly nature of the product, the operation had to be performed under highly controlled conditions, respecting the product's maximum operating tension of up to 10Te.

In preparation for the spooling operation, MDL worked closely with the client to carry out detailed readiness checks on the winch, ensuring it was fit for deployment. MDL then executed the transpooling of significant lengths of the fibre optic umbilical - measured in thousands of metres - from its storage reel onto the refurbished winch. The operation was performed using MDL's in-house spooling spread: a spooler and traction capstan, under 7Te back tension, and was followed by checks on the cable to ensure its integrity had been preserved.

Thanks to MDL’s expertise in winches and flexible handling, complemented by its fit-for-purpose spooling facilities, the operation was completed within the tight timeframe and in a precise, controlled manner - complementing the winch refurb and ensuring asset readiness for the deepwater offshore campaign.