Colfax Fluid Handling, a business of Colfax Corporation, has been awarded a contract as the exclusive supplier of hydraulic pumps for a ship capable of lifting the topside structures from offshore platforms. With a lifting capacity of up to 48,000 t, the ship will remove topsides in one piece and transport them to land for deconstruction. The screw pumps are valued at EUR600,000 and are specially designed to deliver the high pumping capacity needed for the project.
The catamaran “Pieter Schelte” of Allseas Group will lift entire platforms from their undersea supports and transport them onto land for decommissioning. Land-based deconstruction is much safer and more economical than conventional disassembly at sea. This innovation would not be possible without a Topside Lifting System (TLS) on an unprecedented scale. Its capacity of 48,000 t is equivalent to more than 80 fully loaded Airbus A380 jets. Bosch Rexroth developed a unique drive and control solution for what will be the world’s largest mobile heavy-lifting system for offshore installations. Nearly 100 Allweiler screw pumps will handle pumping of the hydraulic oil. Pumps of the “SNF” series pump up to 2300 l/min, making them ideal for large volumes required.
According to Manfred Schulz, Director of Distribution Sales EMEA at Allweiler : “ Many years of proven results, our global support, and Bosch Rexroth’s outstanding quality evaluation were key factors in us receiving this order. ”
[mappress] Colfax, May 23, 2013; Image: Allseas Group