Winch Chain Stopper Malfunctioning

An Operator approached MDL when they encountered operational disruptions on their North Sea FPSO due to a malfunctioning winch chain stopper, resulting in an inability to apply force to the load cell. Recognising the criticality of this issue, the client sought MDL’s expertise to conduct a comprehensive survey of the system, including the hydraulic control unit, to identify the underlying problem.

An MDL engineer travelled to the FPSO to assess the malfunctioning chain stopper. Conducting an in-depth survey, he pinpointed the fault affecting the load cell, devising a solution to rectify the issue. At the client’s request, the engineer extended the survey to also include the Aft traction winch as well as other back-deck equipment, and conducted functionality reviews of the hose offload reel and manifold setup.

MDL’s proactive approach allowed comprehensive evaluation of additional equipment onboard the FPSO beyond the initial scope, providing the client with insights into the functionality and condition of various critical components on their asset. This allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the system’s health and maintenance requirements, overall contributing to enhanced reliability and operational readiness.