SMSCL was contracted by a key player in the local energy sector to upgrade the flow piping system on their previously shut down offshore platforms. BPTT was in the process of recommissioning their Cannonball gas production platform. New exploration and drilling had discovered new wells. Higher gas pressures were expected, so an upgrade was necessary. SMSCL was entrusted with the complex task of fabricating and installing the upgraded piping system from 600 class to 900 class rated blowdown, drain, vent and fuel gas piping. These pipes ranged from small bore (3/4”) to large bore (10”) in diameter. New 12” 900 class rated block tees, connecting existing flow lines to the new 900 class flow pipes, were also to be installed.
How Did SMSCL Help?
Working on the Cannonball platform required a complete new and innovative approach to project management. Being a Normally Unmanned Installation (NUI), supplying the manpower, materials and equipment proved to be challenging in a single facility. This compact facility offered limited spacing in terms of accommodating large work crews and the piping storage and control. Our team had to be accommodated on a special floating rig called a Floatel or be shuttled to and f rom the job site via helicopter daily. The team to execute this project had to possess the technical skills as well as cater for work hitch cycles, possess high HSE awareness, be seasoned campaigners and maximise wrench time to meet work delivery targets.
This project, called for a dedicated Cannonball Project team separate f rom normal SMSCL operations. Given that this project involved offshore work, a certified, multi-skilled team of smaller crew sizes was recruited, screened for medical and technical competence as well as briefed on the company’s HSE practices to ensure our manpower could accommodate and overcome the harsh, offshore working conditions. Given the remoteness of the Cannonball platform, logistics and transportation of personnel and materials required an unconventional solution
That solution, which enabled shop fabrication inspection, testing of new piping spools and supports, was assigning a dedicated shop space to maximise production and for storage of piping. This ensured proper material control and traceability. As an agile company, we invested in the purchase of vehicles to facilitate cargo delivery and crew transport. External, qualified contractors were also engaged to provide commercial delivery of equipment to job sites to ensure we remained within our project time constraints.
With our specialised offshore team, we were able to demolish existing pipelines, verify the supplied piping isometrics and structural steel drawings and fabricate, install, inspect and test new 900 lb fuel gas piping systems utilizing supporting ladders, access platforms and handrails. To ensure sound project management practice, each piece of inf rastructure installed was inspected and tested using a QA/QC checklist to verify high quality. HSE awareness and sound quality management were reinforced through weekly meetings to keep within our SToW standard and reinforce the client’s confidence in commitment to superior excellence.
Given the project challenges, we were proud as a team to adapt to these circumstances and employ our resources to build a specialised team that would deliver the technical competence, establish controlled material storage and execute the offshore construction in a professional, safe and productive manner with no injuries, property damage or breach of contract.
SMSCL Project Scope
- Provision of onshore f ront end planning support for the preparation of work packs, development of lifting plans, preparation of work permits and performance of risk assessments for all the mechanical aspects of the project works.
- Provision of mechanical support to BPTT operations for the isolation, flushing, and purging of the Platform’s piping systems, making the platform gas-f ree for hot works.
