A heavy-duty lifting tool supplied by Balltec was successfully used to deploy a DTM buoy in the latest phase of the Van Gogh oil field development programme.
A specially designed and built heavy-duty lifting tool (700mT SWL) supplied by Balltec to Prosafe Ltd was successfully used to deploy a 500mT DTM buoy in the latest phase of the Van Gogh programme. The hydraulically operated tool was also used in earlier stages to lift the tool from the dockside to a transportation barge. Jumbo’s heavy-lift vessel Fairline was used to lower the buoy into the sea.
The operation brief called for a single point lift and Balltec was a natural choice. The company is a world leader in ball and taper technology, offering substantial advantages in size, cost and flexibility. The lifting tool was also supplied with an adapter link to enable the full safe working load to be applied at up to 30° orientation from vertical.
The heavy-duty lifting tool will be used again later this year for connecting the buoy to the Ningaloo Vision FPSO.