Offshore exploration and production (E&P) platforms are
continuously exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Therefore,
the power transmission products installed to carry out day-to-day
functions need to provide extraordinary performance, durability
and reliability.
Fredrik Lindner, Global Market Director – Oil & Gas at
Altra Industrial Motion Corporation, looks at the features of power
transmission solutions for offshore E&P applications.
One of the issues that continues to plague offshore oil and gas
platforms worldwide is corrosion. This is promoted by the hostile
marine environment, which causes a gradual degradation of the
equipment. This results in the early failure of the structures and costly,
unscheduled downtime.
In particular, the breakdown of power transmission components
such as clutches, brakes and motors can compromise a number of key
offshore applications, e.g. drawworks, winches and cranes.
To prevent or minimize damages from corrosion and extend
the service life of the machinery used on offshore E&P platforms,
it is important to choose power transmission solutions with optimal
performance, durability and reliability that adhere to the highest
standard.
Twiflex, Wichita, Stieber, Svendborg Brakes and Stromag, all
members of Altra Industrial Motion Corporation, provide technically
advanced solutions that can satisfy the complex and challenging needs
of offshore E&P. Each brand has decades of experience in engineering
and manufacturing specific product categories for harsh environments
and applications – giving Altra a unique ability to integrate solutions
for complete powertrain systems.
Thanks to these industry-leading companies, Altra is able to offer
a comprehensive service, providing guidance on the choice of suitable
drivetrain solutions, supporting customers with offshore standard and
modified designs, and assisting in maintenance operations.
Understand Industry Regulations
First, end users of power transmission equipment for offshore
operations should look for products that meet relevant standards and
specifications. For offshore cranes, lifting and drilling equipment, the
most common regulations include the ABS and API - widely used in
North America - and the Norway-based DNV-GL standards.
The requirements proposed by these regulations can vary.
For example, the DNV is generally considered more stringent, as it
provides guidelines for the North Sea region, which is characterized
by colder, harsher environmental conditions that can have a greater
negative impact on the corrosion of the offshore equipment.
Therefore, it is important to consider where the E&P platform
will operate and which standards best describe the location-specific
requirements. Knowledgeable power transmission experts can guide
end-users through the different specifications and help them gain
insight on the different regulations. For example, brake calipers and
ATEX-certified hydraulic power units designed by Svendborg Brakes
for drawworks have been developed specifically to DNV standards for
survival in the cold, harsh North Sea conditions. In warmer locations,
less heavy-duty equipment may prove a suitable alternative at a lower
cost.
Understanding Specialized Solutions
Brake calipers and ATEX-certified hydraulic
power units designed by Svendborg Brakes for
drawworks have been developed specifically to
DNV and ABS standards.
There are many power transmission components that have been
designed specifically for operation on E&P platforms. While these
will undoubtably serve the market well, there may be times when a
more cost-effective product would work. The exact location where
the component will be installed will impact its exposure to corrosive
environments. For example, a winch located on the lower deck with
no protection from the elements will be at greater risk than a coupling
located within an IP68 housing installed on a drawworks.
Where specialized equipment is necessary, there are a number of
innovations that allow the end-user to benefit from not only extended
operational life, but also improved economic operation.
For example, when an offshore platform customer asked for
a solution to cool tensioning brakes with seawater, Wichita Clutch
engineers developed a cutting-edge product inspired from aerospace
technologies. The resulting AquaMakks seawater-cooled brake and
clutch products offer a number of benefits. Using flowing seawater
instead of re-circulated fresh water as a cooling medium is economical.
Also, the innovative solution is more efficient in cooling the equipment,
extending the service life of brakes and clutches.
AquaMakks uses flowing seawater instead of
re-circulated fresh water as a cooling medium
which is economical and more efficient in cooling
the equipment.
Of course, by introducing seawater into the internal operations of
the component there is a greater risk of corrosion, which could cause
early failures of the brakes. Wichita Clutch engineers countermeasured
this by adding a sacrificial anode that would corrode in place of the
internal parts of the brake. In this way, the operational life of the
equipment is maximized while maintenance costs are reduced.
Dynamic Maintenance Services
In addition to offering a greater level of support during design and
installation, power transmission manufacturers that specialize in E&P
platform applications are able to provide indications on how to use
preventative maintenance to preserve power transmission components
and avoid corrosion issues and premature failures.
When a rig has been stacked, for example, brakes, clutches and other
moving parts remain inactive for long periods of time. Corrosion may
take its toll on the equipment leading to failure when brought back
into service. By routinely cycling brakes during periods of inactivity,
corrosion damages can be reduced or prevented.
When a rig has been stacked moving parts remain
inactive for long periods of time. Routinely cycling
brakes during periods of inactivity can reduce or
prevent corrosion damage.
Specifying the most appropriate component designs for a
power transmission application can go a long way to reducing
maintenance activities and replacement costs; however, these will
never be completely eliminated. When it is necessary to conduct
responsive maintenance, the choice of field service providers is
crucial. Responsiveness, expertise, time- and cost-efficiency are key
parameters.
Altra is able to offer onsite maintenance services from highly
specialized engineers via Svendborg Brakes, Twiflex and Wichita’s
field service engineers. By providing both manufacturing and
maintenance capabilities, Altra can offer an economical solution
for readily available spare parts. When maintenance operations are
required, Altra’s engineers are able to promptly reach the rig site thanks
to the company’s global network. There, the advanced expertise of
the engineers allows them to quickly identify the issues and conduct
the maintenance tasks accurately and in accordance with governing
standards. As a result, Altra helps keep the downtime on E&P platforms
to a minimum.
The Complete Drivetrain Solution
Altra can bring together different brands and
combine their expertise in order to provide optimal
solutions for offshore E&P around the world.
The demanding conditions that characterize offshore E&P
operations require certified, high-quality, durable power transmission
products. In order to achieve that, it is necessary to choose an
experienced drivetrain specialist that is able to assess the specific
challenges and, if necessary, modify and customize existing solutions.
In addition, having highly-skilled maintenance professionals is
fundamental in ensuring optimal performance and minimal downtime
of the equipment and the entire E&P platform.
Thanks to its global network, Altra can bring together different
brands and combine their expertise in order to provide optimal
solutions for offshore E&P around the world. In addition, Altra is
committed to offer a comprehensive service for drivetrain applications.
The company doesn’t only provide power transmission solutions, but
also support to its customers with certified maintenance services. In this
way, Altra acts as a single point of contact for the design, manufacture,
supply and maintenance of power transmission equipment, thus
providing expert services and lean management.