Shore approach experts - Maximising efficiency whilst maintaining a high level of safety

Our Sales Manager, Elhadji Gano, discusses the challenges that face clients when completing a shore pull project and how we use our experience and extensive linear winch rental fleet to create solutions to these problems.  

What are some of the issues facing clients with shore pull operations?

In many shore pulls the length of wire and the distance of the pull can be an issue. Most of our clients have highly performant and heavy pipelaying vessels which cannot come close to the shore due to their draft. This results in the length of pipeline from vessel to shore being in the range of 3-5km, particularly when the operation is in very shallow waters with heavy line pipes protected with thick Concrete Wall Coating. It can be a challenge to remain cost efficient and maintain a key focus on safety, whilst working within often very tight deadlines.

Can you provide one example where that ACE Winches addressed and overcome such challenges?

Our engineers are always looking at different ways to support clients in streamlining operations. One method we have developed is our socket-passing linear winch. Long wires mean there will be multiple wire segments which are connected with sockets that, in traditional winches, would have to be manually passed through causing operational downtime and increased risk due to human interaction.

Our unique linear winch means that the sockets pass through the grippers without removing the lids, reducing the time required to pass a socket. It also minimises human interaction with the equipment while under load, thereby decreasing risk to technicians safety.

Have you worked on a project where this technology was utilised?

Last year, we completed a shore pull operation for the Barzan pipeline project in Qatar. Along with the socket-passing winch we provided spooling winches, a horizontal roller to minimise the angle between the incoming pulling wire and the linear winch, and a back anchor to transfer the pull force into the soil. Experienced and skilled personnel were supplied to install and operate the equipment and to assist during wire lay operations as required.

What was the result?

The solution provided meant the client could maximise efficiency using our socket-passing linear winch whilst maintaining a high level of safety leading to a reduction in project costs.

The client presented us with the challenge of a short lead-in time, however, thanks to our highly dedicated project, engineering, and logistics teams, we provided the solution, flexibility and support required to make the operation a success.

If you would like to discuss further, please feel free to contact me at 
elhadji.gano@ace-winches.com