CRANE REPLACEMENT FOR A SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE RIG

Dolphin Drilling Ltd utilised Houlder's specialist engineering and design skills to replace the port crane on their Byford Dolphin semi-submersible rig. The new port side crane handles approximately twice the safe working load of its predecessor. This required a new pedestal to be built and structural reinforcements to made. Through a combination of calculation and finite element analysis, Houlder provided suitable designs. Additional strength is achieved through extension to the partial deck and an internal crucifix structure above the upper deck. A replacement bulkhead was added directly underneath the pedestal. It needed to include a doorway and holes for pipe work and cables. Houlder's design successfully minimised changes to the existing structure, maximising prefabrication and reducing installation time. Houlder went on to supervise the required fabrication and the crane's installation in Norway. The crane was commissioned following successful load tests in December 2009.

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