Crane improves safety at oil wells

The Chela crane will be installed on Maersk Invincible, which is currently operating on Valhall for AkerBP.

The crane is designed to significantly improve safe handling underneath the cantilever, and to reduce the total time spend on wells.

GustoMSC explains that due to the crane’s “crab-like” motion characteristics, the crane can reach below the cantilever as well as elevating towards the main deck, proving access to an area blocked by the cantilever when drilling on conventional set-ups.

The crane will be supplied as a fully outfitted and test crane, including dual winch system for increased safety of operation above live wells, and anti-collision system, and a vertical rack and pinion travel system that enables the crane to reach the main deck.

GustoMSC began fabrication of the Chela at the beginning of May. Because the project schedule requires the crane to fit into a planned rig mobilisation in the fourth quarter of 2018, engineering and fabrication of the crane began the day after an LOI was signed. By using the latest simulation techniques in fast-tracking high specification equipment development and verification, says GustoMSC, the delivery schedule can be met.

Support in achieving the fast-track deliver has come from several suppliers, adds GustoMSC, including JB Systems for E&I, and Breman Machinery as long-term partner for steel construction and assembly.

“We are grateful that Maersk Drilling is putting its trust in Chela and further expanding our co-operation, which allows us to get closer to that ultimate and mutual goal: the highest level of safety and efficiency at sea,” said Rutger Baan, commercial director at GustoMSC.