Matrix Composites & Engineering said it has delivered one of the largest installation buoyancy structures in the world to Heerema Marine Contractors.
The structure weighs 103MT in air and provides 150MT of uplift in seawater, the equivalent of eight large public buses. Made from a modular design, the buoyancy system can be assembled in an almost infinite number of 3D configurations to meet the most challenging requirements.
The structure forms part of a modular installation buoyancy package and will be used to deploy HMC’s subsea production equipment used on a major LNG project off the coast of Western Australia. Altough Matrix did not reveal the project’s name it is most likely the Inpex-operated Ichthys project.
The modular installation buoyancy package will be used in conjunction with HMC’s installation vessel Aegir. Together, they will ensure the safe installation of the Flowline End Termination (FLET) and In Line Tee (ILT) structures onto the seabed, 250m below water. The largest buoy in the package will be used to install the 150MT, 18” ILT and associated pipework.
Matrix’s modular installation buoyancy structures are assembled from a number of standard elements. The 150MT buoy is made up of 72 standard elements held in place with a through member. The structure is 12.3m high, 6.44m long and weighs 103MT in air.
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Press Release; Image: MCE