Subsidy-Reliant Offshore Wind Takes Cue from Big Oil
From a helicopter, it looks like just another North Sea oil rig, a grey cube supported by massive yellow pillars, 90 kilometres (56 miles) off western Denmark. But the DanTysk facility is the world's first accommodation platform for offshore wind, which is borrowing techniques and labour from the crisis-hit oil sector as it tries to cut costs and end an addiction to state subsidies. The wind industry is moving further offshore and into the deeper waters tamed long ago by oil companies to increase scale and capture stronger and more constant winds.
QINSy
Software design company Quality Positioning Services BV (QPS) has upgraded its hydrographic data acquisition, navigation and processing software package QINSy (Quality Integrated Navigation System). The latest version, 8.10.2015.06.29.1, includes a new feature called Hook-Up Operations for Anchor Handling, for pre-laid anchors powered by Orcaflex of Orcina.Traditional anchor handling, including showing the catenary, was already possible with QINSy. The anchors are run from the rig or barge using tug boats that deploy the anchors at the planned positions.
Strainstall Supply Load Pins for Shell Stones Project
Strainstall UK Limited has been selected to work alongside SBM offshore on the prestigious Shell Stones project, which is an ultra-deep Oil and Gas development in the Gulf of Mexico and is currently the deepest production facility in the world at approximately 2,900 meters. The project involves the use of an FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Off loading) which has a forward mounted turret with a disconnectable buoy (Buoyant Turret Mooring or BTM) allowing it to weathervane in normal conditions and disconnect from the FPSO upon the approach of a hurricane so that the FPSO can sail to a safer area.
