The Netherlands: Offshore Solutions Finalizes World’s First Vessel-to-FPSO Personnel Transfer

Offshore Solutions BV (OSBV) announces the successful completion of the world’s first vessel-to-FPSO (floating production storage and offloading) personnel transfers, using a heave-compensated marine walk-to-work system.

During July and August OSBV’s patented Offshore Access System (OAS), mounted on the MS Stril Explorer (chartered by SeaHold GEOSHIPS Limited) successfully transferred personnel to and from Shell Expro’s Anasuria FPSO, (located approximately 175km east of Aberdeen), with no safety incidents.

Some 24 operational connections were made, facilitating 294 individual crossings. The transfers were achieved while the MS Stril Explorer carried out diving activities during the same period, demonstrating further flexibility of a vessel-mounted OAS.

Lindsay Young, OSBV’s managing director believes that this project provides an excellent showcase for walk-to-work technology. He said: “The capability to safely transfer personnel from a PSV (platform supply vessel) or support vessel to FPSOs’ opens up a much broader range of project and maintenance opportunities for many North Sea oil and gas operators. Completing this project in less than seven weeks demonstrates the excellent working relationship between OSBV, Shell Expro, SeaHold GEOSHIPS Ltd and our respective sub-contractors.”

The OAS used on this contract was also the first one incorporating the free-standing modification. The free-standing version retains all the safety and operational features of the original system, with the variation that it is mounted on a skid. This enables the OAS to be quickly installed on the host vessel, making short-term hires much more economically attractive.”

That the whole project was concluded in less than seven weeks from the initial client contact is a testimonial to what can be achieved with good relationships between client, vessel operator and OSBV, and their respective sub-contractors.

Mr Young added: “Up to now we have safely transferred more than 90,000 personnel to fixed platforms. With this contract we have now taken several more steps forward in demonstrating that marine access works. We have proven we can install our free-standing self-contained OAS quickly on a vessel, connect to platforms or FPSOs’ using a variety of options and mobilise rapidly for short term hires, which are forming an ever-increasing percentage of our enquiries.”

Allan Syme, project manager for the Anasuria Support Vessel Project, said: “Offshore Solutions worked with us over a very short timescale to provide a gangway for the first trial of a walk-to-work solution between a DP vessel and a turret moored FPSO to support an air diving campaign and shutdown.“

“They were selected due to the robustness of their design and willingness to commit to deliver in what was a fast track project. The equipment proved reliable in service and as a ‘proof of concept’ the exercise was a success. We will certainly be keeping this option in our ‘tool kit’ for the future.”

Richard Smith, business development manager of GEOSHIPS, added: “GEOSHIPS is extremely pleased with the success and safe completion of this challenging and fast-tracked scope of work. The attitude and professionalism of the entire team as a whole allowed us to achieve the required objectives of our client and a technical first in the walk-to-work marketplace. The new free-standing OAS from Offshore Solutions was seamlessly integrated into our Stril Explorer, allowing further project-related equipment to be accommodated onboard. We look forward to working with Offshore Solutions again in the near future.”