MDL to Unveil 51-Tonne Tensioner at Subsea 2013

Maritime Developments (MDL), the back-deck equipment specialist for the energy sector, is to officially launch a new innovation for the subsea industry at a leading oil and gas exhibition in Aberdeen.

MDL, which has operations in Aberdeen and Peterhead, will unveil its latest tensioner at Subsea 2013 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (February 6-7, 2013). The company will be exhibiting at Stand B44.

The business, which has its origins in the fishing industry, has designed, developed and manufactured the new range of 4-tracked tensioners to enhance operational and safety demands for the deepwater market.

Mike Gaskin, commercial director at Maritime Developments, said: “We’ve had an extremely positive response from clients and potential clients to the new tensioner design. The operational benefits are there for all to see, but there are enhanced safety gains with this innovative solution.”

“The new tensioner delivers a wide range of benefits to clients including being lighter, safer and more cost effective than similar equipment,” the company described its new product in a press release.

It can be mounted horizontally or inclined in an HLS (Horizontal Lay System) in its standard base frame. The unit also has the capability to operate in vertical mode when mounted in a VLS (Vertical Lay System) with the addition of a conversion package.

Depending on the orientation of the unit, either one or two tracks open to receive product, such as subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF). The MDL innovation also has a failsafe grip mechanism preventing the loss of ‘squeeze’ on the product in the event of a loss in pressure to the grip cylinders.

The design of the 51-tonne unit has been completed and the first tensioner is due to be operational by Q4 2013. The business also expects to grow its team of 26 to 34 in the next year, with experienced staff and apprentices to be recruited.

In late 2012, Maritime Developments announced it has acquired a workshop, office and yard facility next to its 33,000 sq ft base at Wilson Street, Peterhead. The additional space will be used to house its rapidly-expanding electrical services division.

The company is expanding its capability to deliver additional electrical and hydraulic services following the acquisition of the 17,500 sq ft site. This will give 13,500sq ft of additional yard area and 4,000 sq ft for an electrical workshop facility. MDL is also moving into new larger premises in the centre of Aberdeen, which contains the business development and design operations.

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February 4, 2013