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Mooring, Chains, Ropes and Anchors for the Offshore Industry

Mooring systems, consisting of mooring chains, anchors and offshore ropes, are used in the offshore sector to stabilise and position floating production and storage facilities. They are also used by cranes and heavy lifting equipment during installation activities to lift and hoist heavy equipment and oil and gas platform facilities.

Finding suppliers of mooring systems, chains and offshore ropes

Offshore Technology has listed leading providers of mooring and heavy lifting equipment solutions such as rope back tension units, rope guides, tensioner ropes, steel wire ropes for cranes, wire rope slings, and heavy lift slings based on its intel, insights, and decades-long experience in the sector.

The list includes providers of offshore ropes and mooring chains, anchors and anchor chains, mooring shackles, alloy chain slings, mooring wire ropes, chain inspection services, mooring analysis, anchor holding analysis, chain swivels, anchor handling swivels, and offshore weather buoys.

The information contained within the download document is designed for deckhands, mooring project engineers, mooring masters and technicians, vessel control systems operators, crane operators, offshore structural engineers, and riser design engineers.

The download contains detailed information on the suppliers and their product lines, alongside contact details to aid your purchasing decisions.

Related buyer’s guides covering the breadth of offshore technology can also be found here.

Mooring chains, anchor chains and offshore ropes

A mooring system is important to keep offshore facilities in position in the unstable and harsh deep-water conditions at offshore oil and gas fields. The system is designed to sustain loads of waves, water currents and wind. It comprises various elements such as steel chains, fibre ropes, shackles, sockets, connectors, anchor chains, and anchors based on the operating environment.

Mooring chains are preferred for permanent mooring of facilities in shallow water while steel wire rope is preferred in deep waters due to their lighter weight and higher elasticity. The mooring system relies on anchors that are placed on the sea floor to provide stability.

Heavy lifting equipment and lifting solutions

Subsea construction activities for the development of oil and gas fields require the use of specialised heavy lifting equipment and offshore mooring systems to install subsea infrastructure, oil and gas platforms and other infrastructure.

Some of the heavy lifting equipment and solutions are:

  • Lift winches and guide wire systems
  • Self-powered trolleys
  • Steel wire ropes
  • Wire rope slings
  • Crane hooks
  • Heavy lift round slings
  • Polyester and nylon web slings, and
  • Spooling and tensioning equipment

For full details (including contact details) on the leading companies within this space, download the free Buyer’s Guide below:

Frequently asked questions

  • What are offshore mooring systems used for?

    Offshore mooring systems are crucial for stabilising and positioning floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units and other offshore facilities in deep-water environments. These systems are designed to withstand challenging conditions such as waves, currents, and wind, ensuring the secure operation of offshore platforms.

  • What components make up an offshore mooring system?

    An offshore mooring system typically includes mooring chains, fibre ropes, steel wire ropes, shackles, anchors, and connectors. Each component is designed to handle the specific environmental and operational requirements of the offshore industry.

  • How does water depth affect mooring system design?

    In shallow waters, mooring chains are commonly used for stability due to their weight and durability. In deeper waters, steel wire ropes are preferred for their lighter weight and greater elasticity, which provides better tension and flexibility in dynamic marine environments.

  • How are offshore mooring systems maintained?

    Regular inspection and maintenance are essential for offshore mooring systems to ensure they remain operational under harsh conditions. This involves visual inspections, corrosion protection measures, and the testing of anchors, chains, and ropes to prevent failures.

  • Why is heavy lifting equipment essential in offshore operations?

    Heavy lifting equipment, including winches, steel wire ropes, and crane hooks, is essential for installing subsea infrastructure and offshore platforms. These tools are critical for handling large loads during construction, maintenance, and installation activities in challenging marine environments.