Alatas Service: System Upgrade
Region: Ølensvåg, Norway
Manufacturer: Landel Inc
Model: DNV GL
In 2016, Alatas Europe completed a full refurbishment and gantry crane upgrade. The work was for a Landel Inc. 20 ton pipe handling gantry crane aboard a DNV GL class semi-submersible drilling vessel.
The refurbishment and upgrade to the gantry crane are in standard configuration with long travel movement over the length of the drilling storage and laydown space on runway beams mounted to the vessel superstructure.
Cross travel movement of the trolley system uses a twin bridge girder beam. The crane operates with a failsafe electro-magnet grab system to carry drill pipe from the storage and laydown area through to the drill floor. The grab system utilises permanent magnets fitted with field coils which release payload with a reverse magnetic flux field initiated by the crane operator.
Operator controls make crane movements in a cab mounted at the end of the bridge beam section. The gantry crane was commissioned in 1985 with its functional specification developed with a now superseded DNV class regulation.
Our client had received a charter which stipulated a gantry crane upgrade for several reasons including the fact that the original crane was operating well beyond its design lifetime and was obsolete with spare parts no longer available.
Alatas solution for refurbishment and upgrade of a gantry crane
Alatas developed an upgrade solution to bring the crane into compliance with current DNV GL class certification requirements. This upgrade utilised the existing main structural steel elements and incorporated bespoke engineered solutions to bring the system into compliance. The work was completed over 49 days with the vessel berthed in Ølensvåg Norway.
Gantry Crane Upgrade Package
- Electrical power distribution and control systems
- Twin hydraulic power pack
- Hoist brake upgrade
- Hoist line out encoders
- Long and cross travel drive systems
- Long travel rack gears for drive systems
Throughout the detailed engineering phase, Alatas engineers in various regional offices engaged the client, DNV GL, and suppliers to develop a robust and cost-effective solution.
Engineering support including drafting, calculations and procedures was supplied by Alatas Crane Services UK and Alatas Crane Design in Austria throughout the build phase.
Alatas provided multi-disciplined service technicians and onsite project engineering management throughout the build. Logistics and material support functions were carried out by shipyard personnel and third party contractors.
The design dossier was submitted to DNV GL for design review and was passed in the first iteration. In the final phase of the project, the FAT, load test and final function check were witnessed and authorised by DNV GL and the client.
The as-built commissioning manual, inspection test plan, user manual, parts and service manuals were submitted to the client and DNV GL at project conclusion.
Job Gallery
Crane just after entering the hall and preparing to remove old cables Gearboxes, rail clams and motors removed from crane Inner gearbox being installed. Preparations for rope spooling Crane suspended prior to being lifted onboard Magnet overload test – 4.4te
