Oil platform ballast

OffShore Group Newcastle were undertaking the design and construction of the BP Forties Alpha Satellite Platform at their fabrication yard in Wallsend Newcastle UK. OGN were working to a challenging schedule that required sufficient time after installation of ballast, to seal installation points with steel inserts, before applying a complex paint system. This all had to be completed in tight timescale to hit the sailing date.

Responding quickly, our Installation Manager was able to attend the site on the day of the enquiry to assess the client’s requirements. On the same day, the Tarmac technical team was mobilised and immediately started to undertake laboratory trials and the sourcing of materials, to ensure that the client’s specification and schedule could be met. Working closely with the OGN team the relevant logistical, access and engineering issues were identified, and an installation programme was produced that allowed other operations to continue safely around the installation area.

The installation team arrived on site to position the 42m mobile concrete pump. After testing for compliance with our QA systems and our clients engineering specifications, ULTIBALLAST was supplied by the local Tarmac Ready Mix Plant. Under the direction of the experienced installation team the exact amount of ULTIBALLAST was placed within the support legs of the Platform. Load cells on the float-out barge were used to measure the precise quantities required. Installation was completed safely, within 6 hours, on budget and to the client’s satisfaction.