Never avoid a challenge: New offshore accommodation module revealed

Kept secret for months, on 17 October 2012 the news could finally be revealed: Titan Offshore Modules, a new specialist for offshore accommodation modules to the worldwide offshore energy industry, has announced the official start of the company. The new company developed a carbon steel offshore accommodation module, that is 40% to 50% lighter than the steel modules currently on the market, something that no one thought was possible.

Manned and unmanned offshore installations are in need of accommodations. Manned platforms are ageing, which means more maintenance works and therefore more accommodation capacity is needed for the maintenance workers. However, there is a limit to the weight capabilities of a jacket, so conventional temporary modules are difficult. Another solution could be a hotel jack-up platform or taking the workers by helicopter, which both is expensive and the increased helicopter movements also mean increased safety risks. Unmanned offshore installation often do not have accommodations and a limited crane capacity, which means either daily take crew to and from the platform by supply vessel or helicopter or use an expensive hotel jack-up platform. Jacco van Eerde, CEO: “Our offshore accommodation module can be used for temporary accommodation needs. The prototype is 33 ft and weighs 9.2 tons, including the furniture. The module is developed and equipped according to EN120791, DNV2.7-1, A-60 Zone II. It is linkable and stackable, fully certified up to five stories on a fixed platform and up to four stories on a vessel. The 33 ft module can accommodate four or eight people, but we also offer 15 ft, 20 ft and 40 ft modules. They can be ordered for different configurations, think of sleepers, a galley, offices or recreation rooms and will be for sale as well as for hire. The maintenance costs are low because of the materials we used and it is completely certified by Lloyd’s Register. The module is overpressurised, which makes it possible to keep hazardous gasses outside. The displayed interior is very luxurious, as we think it is important that offshore personnel should feel at home in the module.”

Keep innovating

The development of the module started in March 2012, when Van Eerde and senior product coordinator and CFO Folkert Dijksma did the basic engineering. In April 2012, they approached an engineering bureau for the detailed engineering and in July 2012, the build of the prototype started in Werkendam, the Netherlands. Van Eerde: “We approached our design from another point of view, with ‘out-of-the-box thinking’. All rules and regulations are based on vessels, but there are grey areas where you can creatively manoeuvre.” Van Eerde and Dijksma worked with Hoogendoorn during an earlier project and based on the good experience selected the company to supply the complete furniture. The other suppliers, Instalho (mechanical construction), Kroes & Poortinga (design engineering), Installatiebedrijf Hoko (piping and water systems), Oechies Elektrotechniek (electrical and instrumentation fire and gas), and Windex (HVAC), are all from the region as well and long lasting business partners of Hoogendoorn. “This made it possible to be very flexible and start the project quickly”, comments Van Eerde. The innovation was introduced to the public during Offshore Energy 2012 and attracted a lot of interest. Dijksma concludes:“The biggest lesson we learned during the process is that when people think something is impossible, you can make it possible with creative thinking; don’t avoid challenges and keep on innovating.”

Gail van den Hanenberg