Bladt, an international steel contractor specializing in large-scale and highly complex steel structures just finished the fabrication of one suction anchor for their Norwegian client Sevan Marine.
The suction anchor is very similar to the 13 anchors Bladt fabricated to Sevan Marine in 2011, and the suction anchor will also head for the same destination the Huntington field, which is located in the UK sector of the North Sea
In recent years, Bladt has fabricated and delivered over 100 suction anchor structures for projects around the world.
A suction anchor can be described as an upturned bucket that is embedded in the marine sediment. This embedment is either achieved through pushing or by creating a negative pressure inside the caisson skirt: both of these techniques have the effect of securing the anchor into the sea bed.
The foundation can also be rapidly removed by reversing the installation process, applying an overpressure inside the caisson skirt. Suction anchors are used worldwide for anchoring large offshore installations to the seafloor at great depths.
[mappress] Offshore Energy Today Staff, September 12, 2012