W-shaped Pads

A complex deep-water installation campaign required multiple cables, from the same 9.2m installation reel, to be deployed simultaneously from a vessel. The available deck space was limited, meaning the use of multiple standalone tensioners was not feasible. Existing pad arrangements could not provide the required separation when passing more than one product through shared handling equipment, creating a risk of interference. Without an existing solution to keep each cable separated and equally deflected under dynamic load, the efficiency of the entire spread was at risk and the project demanded a solution that would enable multi-product deployment without increasing the equipment footprint.

MDL’s Engineering team carried out a detailed study of the products’ characteristics, interface requirements and operational handling parameters, alongside the physical constraints of the vessel. One critical requirement shaped the development: the cables could not be bundled together at any point and had to remain fully segregated during installation. The analysis identified a multi-surface tensioner pad could be an enabler. MDL designed a geometry capable of preserving this separation while allowing the tensioner to operate conventionally. With the concept defined, the team progressed through material selection, modelling, prototype manufacture and performance testing to confirm that the design could withstand offshore loading conditions and maintain product integrity throughout the installation process.

This process resulted in the creation of the W-shaped pad: a purpose-designed profile that enables multiple cables to be handled simultaneously within a single tensioner while ensuring that each product remains isolated. The unique design allowed fewer tensioners to perform the work previously requiring multiple units, without increasing deck space or compromising operational control. By introducing this innovative pad design, MDL delivered a streamlined and cost-effective solution that maximised the vessel’s capacity, reduced equipment requirements and facilitated simultaneous multi-cable deployment in deep water. The W-shaped pad stands as a clear example of MDL’s ability to develop practical, project-driven innovations that unlock new efficiencies for offshore operations.