Innovative chain replacement method supports Bonga’s life extension project
Project overview
Project name
Bonga FPSO
Location
Nigeria
Solution
Top chain replacement
Intermoor, Acteon’s Moorings and Anchors business line replaced the top chain on all twelve mooring lines (four groups of three) of the Bonga FPSO, located 120 km southwest of the Niger Delta.
Ensure compliance of the mooring lines
Life extension was the final objective of the project. Operations were conducted at 1,000 m depth, requiring innovative solutions for mooring line reconnection within the vessel’s operational limits. The absence of winches, mooring aids, or topside mooring equipment complicated repairs and replacement operations, as did narrow operational windows.
Brownfield permanent mooring projects expertise
Intermoor was selected for its expertise in brownfield permanent mooring projects and in-country experience. Despite the FPSO’s bespoke mooring system configuration, which made brownfield updates particularly challenging, the project was completed on schedule with no production interruptions.
Drawing on experience from similar projects, Intermoor designed an innovative solution to address the vessel’s stern limitations. This included:
- temporarily modifying the mooring line catenary angle to enable reconnection
- designing a bespoke clump weight using chain
- implementing an equalizer line between the vessel and FPSO to facilitate disconnection and reconnection.
Innovations in action
The team provided integrated engineering, construction, and installation (ECI), detailed engineering, and provision of personnel.
Tapping into the group’s wider capabilities, the team reached out to Acteon’s Geo-services business line, who delivered real-time and critical mooring line tension monitoring during operations.
The result
This case study highlights Intermoor’s ability to deliver innovative and effective mooring solutions in challenging environments, ensuring the successful extension of the Bonga FPSO’s operational life.
Intermoor was delighted to participate in the Bonga life extension project, as technical partner with our client GMT/RMC. This project contributed to the development of novel methods for brownfield replacement operations on a unique mooring system. The out-of-the-box thinking in engineering and procedures is a testament to Intermoor’s expertise in permanent moorings.
Martin Kobiela - Moorings Business Line Commercial Director Acteon
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