BESPOKE SKIDDING SYSTEM FOR BP EXPLORATION

Equipment Design, Fabrication and Installation As part of a major upgrade, Houlder was contracted by BP Exploration on a turnkey basis to improve subsea equipment handling on the Byford Dolphin Rig. The requirement was to increase the rig’s operational window by ending reliance on cranes and rescue boat cover when moving xmas trees and other equipment. Houlder proposed moving loads from the aft cellar to the open moon pool by way of a hydraulic skidding system. The unit carries up to 100t a distance of 5.5m on phosphor bronze pads which bear directly onto tracks installed on the deck. As the skid advances to its operating position it runs onto spider beams over the moon pool that have matching dedicated tracks installed. When not required, the assembly is upended and secured to the aft wall of the cellar by means of pre-installed rigging. The unique system was fabricated in Aberdeen and installed successfully in Norway under Houlder’s supervision. You can find more technical details here.

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