Balltec Ltd, the pipeline solutions specialist, has been contracted by Allseas to supply a 44” PipeLOK™ pipeline recovery tool to the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project based 200km offshore Onslow, Western Australia.
Wheatstone is the offshore central processing platform enabling a combined production capability of approximately 8.9 million tonnes of LGN and domestic gas per annum.
The 44” PipeLOK tool is the world’s largest ball and taper based dewatering pipeline recovery tool in service. The PipeLOK™ tool itself has been specifically designed for the Wheatstone project and includes some advanced features that have not previously featured in the Balltec stock.
The tool combines the PipeLOK™ dewatering system with an air let-outlet system and a hot stab interface. The tool is on hire for the pipe laying phase of the Wheatstone project due to commence later in 2014.
Martin Bell , Sales and Marketing Director said: “It is becoming increasingly common for our clients to specify additional features from the PipeLOK™ tooling. Balltec has the knowledge and expertise to manufacture customised PipeLOK™ systems to include injection systems, advanced de-watering systems and cope with the increased SWL requirements of deep and ultra-deep recoveries.”
Russell Benson , Managing Director said: “Over the last 10 years Balltec has made over 150 live pipe recoveries using the PipeLOK™ system. Our unblemished track record, reliable technology and team of experienced offshore technicians make Balltec the world’s leading expert in pipeline recovery tools and the company of choice for planned and unique recoveries.”
Eighty percent of the Wheatstone Project’s foundation capacity will be fed with natural gas from the Wheatstone and Iago field operations, which are operated by Chevron (80.17%)in joint venture with Australian subsidiaries of Shell (8%) and Kyushu Electric Power Company (1.83%) together with PE Wheatstone Pty Ltd (10%). The remaining 20 percent of gas will be supplied from the Apache and KUFPEC Julimar and Brunello fields.
The name Wheatstone comes from the Wheatstone Channel in the Montebello Islands, an archipelago of 174 small islands 130km off the Pilbara coast. The Montebello Islands are about 25km north of Barrow Island and 95km south of the Wheatstone gas field.