04 November 2021
Project Overview:
The project brief was to design and manufacture a quantity of 27 certified DNV 2.7-1 Tool Baskets, which ranged in length from the shortest being 2.5m long up to the longest being 20m long. The baskets were to be fitted with adjustable tool supports and the tool supports would be capable of being positioned at any position along the length of the baskets to allow ease of use offshore.
The project also required the design and manufacture a quantity of 26 Bolster Baskets, which were to be certified to DNV 2.7-3 standard to allow shipment of tools offshore. These baskets were to be designed to hold either 9 or 12 Bolster tools up to 14m in length. The Bolster Baskets were to allow tools to extend outside the length of the frame and had to be designed to allow clamping of the large Bolster tools.
All units were to be supplied with DNV 2.7-1 certified 4-point wire rope sling sets with offshore Grade 8 shackles. With the Tool Baskets also being supplied with Ratchet Straps and Tarpaulins.
What was the customers end goal?
The customers end goal was to receive delivery of fully DNV-certified equipment, which were of a high-quality finish and ready for offshore use. The equipment was to be capable of adjustment to lift a wide range of tools.
In addition to a high-quality finish and certification of the required equipment, the lead-time of the build process was vital to the customers overall project timeline.
What were the challenges?
The main challenge on the project was designing the baskets and getting customer approval, so to enable our factory to order materials in time to meet the tight timeline.
How did Suretank approach the project?
Suretank’s first engagement with the customer on the project was at the initial enquiry stage. At this stage, a number of technical points were discussed and technical documents reviewed by Suretank’s Sales Engineer. This early design engagement by our sales team is a demonstration of Suretank’s consultative approach and good working relationship with our customers. Full compliance to the customer’s documentational requirements was also a mandatory factor in the overall project.
Once the project was awarded, a Project Manager and Customer Care Representative were assigned to the project. These contacts would manage all aspects of the project and act as main points of contact for the customer throughout the process.
Suretank utilised its extended Engineering Design team in Poland, who created the general assembly drawings for the various basket types and technical specifications for client approval. Once this milestone was reached, detailed design took place and our sub-contractor in Poland was engaged to purchase the materials and build the equipment.
Fabrication then began at our Polish sub-contractor’s manufacturing facility, with a team of certified welders. Throughout the build, quality was a key factor – with the quality team performing NDT such as MPI weld inspections on structural welds, pull tests on lifting eyes in their certified test rig and various tests through the painting process.
Once painting was complete and markings applied, the baskets were final inspected and certified by a local DNV inspector.
Once approved, any ancillary equipment (i.e. slings, tool supports, tarpaulins, etc.) was fitted and the units were made available for shipping.
Although Suretank can facilitate the shipment/delivery to client’s end destination, the shipping for this project was handled by the customer. Suretank did, however, assist with the preparation of the required shipping documentation.
Finally, the Project Manager coordinated the submission of all supporting documentation – such as DNV certification, material traceability, weld certificates, test reports, etc. – onto the client’s dedicated online portal.
What ‘expertise’ did Suretank bring to the project?
- Design expertise
- Knowledge of the DNV standards and structure to suit customer requirements
- Project & Account Management
- Structural design capabilities
- Communication – regular updates on order status
- Fabrication of offshore equipment to required standards
- Documentation review
What was the outcome for the customer?
All equipment was built to a high standard of quality, certified for offshore use and delivered on-time to a happy client.
