Further Dutch connection for leading UK offshore equipment manufacturer
1st February 2010
Since its acquisition in 2008 by Dutch shipbuilding group IHC Merwede, specialist offshore equipment manufacturer IHC Engineering Business (EB) has spent a great deal of effort on integrating and aligning its operations with those of its parent company. Over the past two years EB team members from sales to engineering have been working with their Dutch counterparts so that both sides can benefit from a sharing of knowledge and experience. Now EB can claim another role in its efforts to link the UK and the Netherlands.
In 2008 EB delivered a high specification flexible lay system to Oceanteam Power and Umbilical. Originally mobilised onto the AMT Explorer Barge, this system has since been transferred to the North Ocean 102 under charter to ABB. EB's carousel system has a total capacity of 7,000 tonnes and features an innovative roller suspension system to increase reliability and productivity when working in the harsh conditions experienced laying cables far from shore.
Following modification work on the Tyne to accommodate the lay system, the vessel transited to ABB's factory in Sweden to collect its load of 5,000t of power cable. The laying operations involved the spooling and deployment of two cables bundled together. These are held in position by a pair of SAS Gouda tensioners, used in a two track mode to control the cable as it leaves the vessel stern. This is first project in which the carousel, one of the worlds largest, has been put through its paces operationally.
"Having a system that operates without fault has been vital during the recent tandem lay operations for BritNed" says Toby Bailey, Managing Director of EB.
"ABB was extremely pleased with the performance of the EB carousel system and the support provided by EB's offshore team, the smooth operation of this system has allowed the project to proceed without major incident. This execution has been vital as ABB are now preparing the vessel for its next assignment on the Gjoa project."
The successful laying of 62 km of cable is an important step in the completion of the BritNed project, the first and only power interconnector between the UK and the Netherlands. The new HVDC connection is intended to offer many advantages, including a significant contribution to the diversity of electricity supply both in the UK and the Netherlands.