MaXccess walk-to-work system supplied for Subsea 7 project

Offshore services contractor Subsea 7 has contracted UK companies Tyne Gangway and Osbit Power to supply the MaXccess P35 telescopic gangway system, for installation at the Lianzi oilfield off the coast of Angola, which is due to start production next year.

Safe personnel transfer

Onsite, the walk-to-work gangway will provide a safe and reliable means of transferring personnel from their accommodation vessel to and from the oil platform.

The 35 m system incorporates tailor-made connection technology to compensate for movement between the vessel and target structure, which will provide high sea state access with virtually no power consumption during operation.

Easy installation on Subsea 7’s accommodation vessel

In a collaborative approach, Osbit was responsible for the design, and manufacture of the system’s steel parts including its 'slewring structure’ and rapid mobilisation tower that will enable it to be easily installed offshore on Subsea 7’s accommodation vessel, together with the hydraulic and control systems.

An accumulator system ensures the gangway can be lifted and stowed even in the event of vessel power loss, minimising the risk to life or possibility of damage to the gangway or platform. Osbit’s state-of-the-art PLC control system provides monitoring and diagnostics of the system to ensure the highest levels of safety are maintained during operation.

Exporting quality marine engineering

Tyne Gangway was responsible for the design of the aluminium telescopic gangway sections and fabrication work was completed at Tyne Gangway’s Howdon facility on the River Tyne. Final assembly and testing was carried out at the Port of Blyth by Osbit, Tyne Gangway and Tyne Gangway’s sister company, Lift-Rite, ahead of the system being shipped almost 7000 miles for commissioning on Subsea 7’s vessel the 7 Antares at Lianzi.

Tyne Gangway Managing Director, Ken McDonald said: "Winning this contract is a fantastic achievement for Tyne Gangway and Osbit Power, and significant for the North East in general. It is always great to be able to export quality marine engineering from the region.

“This is the largest telescopic gangway we've created and the biggest order we have secured for the business.”

Osbit Power Director Steve Bedford said: "Osbit Power has a highly successful relationship with Tyne Gangway. Together, we bring many decades of experience to the design and manufacture of offshore equipment and a track record of delivering thousands of aluminium gangway systems.

“We take great pride in our commitment to the highest standards of design and engineering, which ensures that the wellbeing of personnel is always paramount. The MaXccess-P35 system sets new standards of safety and is a clear signal that the North East continues to be driving force in the sector.

Adapted from press release by Cecilia Rehn

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/01092014/maxccess-walk-to-work-system-supplied-for-subsea-7-oilfield-project-offshore-angola/