Tideland Signal has supplied a package of navigational warning systems for Marathon’s Brae Alpha platform in the North Sea to replace an earlier Tideland Syncrolan system, which had protected the platform for approximately 25 years.
The new system, incorporating the latest technology, comprises two main and secondary light stations marking the north western and south eastern corners of the platform together with two fog stations and subsidiary lights marking the other corners.
The combined main and secondary light stations consist of an ML-300Ex SL lantern with a range of 15nm backed by a secondary ML-300 of 10nm range. They are mounted on a base module which also houses an Exd control enclosure containing a transformer for the main light, battery charger and monitoring circuits. The back-up batteries are housed in battery boxes at the rear of the enclosure and the whole unit is ATEX certified for use in Zone 1 (Cat 2) hazardous areas.
The fog signal stations for the North Eastern and South Western corners of Alpha Brae each comprise an AB-68 fog signal mounted on a base module, which also houses an Exd control enclosure containing a battery charger and monitoring circuits. In addition, a red ML-155 Ex MaxLumina subsidiary lantern is also mounted alongside the fog signal, all ATEX certified for use in Zone 1 (Cat 2) areas.
Controls for the four stations are located with the equipment but there is also a central RASRMC panel indicating the status of the equipment and providing photocell over-ride to allow the lights to be switched on during daytime and a fog signal silent switch to silence the fog signals.
Both the ML-300 and ML-155 lanterns are equipped with Tideland’s Duoflash EX twin-filament flasher, which incorporates a timer circuit card providing up to 256 user-selectable flash codes. Tideland’s AB-68 fog signal has a usual range of two nautical miles, audible through 360°. The AB-68 EX fog signal incorporates six driver/emitters producing 133.4dB and housed in manganese bronze enclosures within a stainless-steel structure designed to withstand severe storms and harsh marine environments. They operate at less than 25% of rated capacity, which results in exceptional efficiency and life expectancy. An additional safety feature is that the signal can be heard over half a mile, even with only two emitters working.
Brae Alpha is located 155 miles north-east of Aberdeen and exports oil via the Brae-Forties and then the Forties pipeline systems. The platform offers two three-stage separation trains capable of processing 120,000 barrels per day of oil and natural gas liquids, with a third separation train capable of processing 55,000bpd. The NGL recovery plant is capable of handling 17,000bpd.
Approved to ISO 9001:2008, Tideland Signal is a British-based member of the Tideland group of companies, which specializes in aids to marine navigation. The Tideland Group is independently owned and has its headquarters in Houston, Texas.