Verton’s crane spreader bar stabilisation and rotational control technology has successfully been used in Spliethoff Group’s pipe lifting operations for Woodside’s USD $12.5 billion Scarborough Energy Project.
A total of 12 of Verton’s gyroscopic SP30 SpinPods were fitted to six automated pipe spreaders to control and maintain the orientation of the pipes during loading from the Port of Batam to the hold of the three supply vessels. They were used again during the transfer of the pipes from the three Spliethoff B type vessels to a Spliethoff D type vessel while out at sea. Over 250 Km of 12-metre-long pipeline sections were lifted in more than 15,000 lifting operations, with no lost time injuries.
The SpinPods fitted to the pipe spreaders manufactured by RAM Spreaders allowed Spliethoff to execute these lifting operations with no taglines and no hands-on deck or in the hold. The number of personnel required for lifting was reduced by 60%, and the planned transfer rate of 100 pipes per sox hour shift was exceeded by 40%.
Spliethoff was able to successfully fulfil its obligation to Woodside, reaching the required target for lifting operations without the use of taglines. By keeping the crew away from the pipeline sections during lifting, and aligning pipeline sections with the ship automatically, the SP30’s contributed to improved safety and reduced cycle time.
“We appreciate Spliethoff and Woodside providing us with an opportunity to demonstrate the safety and productivity that Verton’s stabilisation and rotational control technology can bring to a major offshore lifting operation,” said Stan Thomson, CEO, Verton.
“Building on the success of the 12 Verton SP30s supplied for Spliethoff, we are currently working on opportunities for improving productivity and safety by controlling spreaders for other major lifting operations. We look forward to working with Spliethoff, RAM Spreaders and Woodside in other projects.”
The SP30’s use gyroscopic technology to control the rotation of crane lifting beams and spreader bars, improving safety and reducing costs in lifting operations. Verton has specifically targeted the maritime industry as the priority market, due to the danger and expense of lifting while at sea. Verton is also targeting the offshore oil and gas, infrastructure, mining, energy and construction industries.
