InterMoor disconnects FPSO turret in Brazil to allow decommissioning

InterMoor, an Acteon company, has completed its involvement in the decommissioning operations of the OSX-1 floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, offshore Brazil.

The company said on Wednesday that it was responsible for the disconnection of the submerged turret production system (STP) to allow the vessel to navigate to its final destination.

InterMoor was responsible for providing engineering services, including operation procedures and dynamic analysis for overboarding and installation of the Cone Seal Plug on the FPSO moonpool, STP-Buoy disconnection procedure, FPSO station keeping and heading control, and vessel inspection.

The deal also entailed survey services, providing survey equipment and personnel for positioning and heading control of the FPSO, operation risk management, equipment management, provision of offshore qualified personnel onboard the FPSO and vessels (including the tow master, engineers, supervisors, and offshore surveyors).

Cleiver Moulin, managing director, of InterMoor do Brasil, said: “It is remarkable that these complex operations were completed using only a conventional Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel (AHTS) and Tug supports, without any ROV intervention, or offshore installation crane.

“Our engineering and survey teams carried out specific dynamic analysis in order to guarantee a successful Cone Seal Plug deployment and connection to the FPSO moonpool. They also carefully involved all parties in a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment meeting to ensure full safety during the operation and mobilized a fully redundant survey system onboard the FPSO.”

The FPSO OSX-1, built in Korea and customized in Singapore, was, according to InterMoor, the first FPSO to be decommissioned in Brazil waters. The operation took place in a water depth of 127m (417 ft).

The vessel produced OGX´s first oil in January 2012 and was operating at the Tubarão Azul field located in the shallow waters of Campos Basin, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro State.