Heron s Application for Wind Industry - Gorillas Need Not Apply Iain Steven, Technical Director, CDC Ltd
This presentation is given with minimal text projected. The story of the Gorillas need not apply is provided by the presenter Over the next few minutes I d like to offer a Darwinian perspective on the brief history of jack-ups. And I m going to be bold by suggesting that the current evolutionary trend for bigger and bigger isn t necessarily in your favour Bigger isn t necessarily going to satisfy your operation & maintenance needs. Why? Because as Darwin himself suggested, adaptability is the key to survival Speakers Notes
Scorpion. Zapata. 1 st lattice leg Jack-Up MODU. 1956. 80ft WD. 3
The Scorpion was the first jackup with the now familiar lattice leg design, built way back in the days of black and white telly, with a maximum operating water depth of 80ft (24m) (image source: http//petrowiki.org/history_of_offshore_drilling_units ) 4
Rowan Gorilla 1. 350ft WD with 500ft legs. 1983 Image Gorilla 1 5 All Energy, All Energy, May May 2016 2016
Fast Forward to 1983 and we have the introduction of the first music CDs in the UK alongside the Gorilla 1. Water depth 350ft (106m) (image source: http://versatel.nl/the_sims/rig/gorilla1.htm ) 6 All Energy, All Energy, May May 2016 2016
Rowan Companies Rig Bob Palmer A LeTourneau Super Gorilla XL. 490ft WD. Leg length 647ft Circa 1999 7
16 years later, in 1999, we have the opening of the Scottish Parliament coinciding with the launch of the super gorilla XL class of jack-up, with a design water depth of up to 550ft (167m) Bit of controversy with water depth, between designer claims and what continental shelf regulators will Permit as working water depth. Somewhere between 450ft and 490ft. (image source:.. http://www.rowan/our-fleet/rigdetails/?rig=bob%20palmer ) 8
Rowan Companies Rig ROWAN GORILLA 7 At Forties-E A LeTourneau Super Gorilla 400ft WD (North Sea). 607ft Legs 9
Here is another super gorilla, the Rowan Gorilla 7 this time. This is the Rowan Gorilla 7 at Forties Echo (image source:. http://www.rowan.com/our-fleet/rigdetails/?rig=rowan%20gorilla%20vii ) 10
MAERSK XLE Class A GUSTO CJ70 500ft WD. 675ft Legs Circa 2009 11
2014, and coming in at >$600m we have the MAERSK XLE class of jack-up, with a design water depth of up to 492ft (150m) operating year round in the North Sea and legs 678ft in length (Image source:.. http://maersk.com/en/hardware/xle-rigs ) But even today, with 56 years of technological advances in jack-up design, achieving these water depths doesn t come cheap. Or would something smaller, more flexible, more capable of reaching the parts other jack-ups cannot reach do a better job instead? So let s talk about reaching the parts other jackups cannot reach - 12
The Heron, 470ft Leg 13
And how a Heron, rather than a super-sized Gorilla might represent the next step in jack-up evolution. With a nod to the super Gorillas, the brave and bold Terns and the Scyllas, the installation of foundations, towers and turbines is already well catered for within the jack-up market. But when it comes to the maintenance of these same towers and turbines is bigger really better? The super jack-ups are limited in supply, pressures on demand will push their day rates higher. Do you want to pay for more when less will do? On the other hand, the Heron is purpose built to meet the maintenance needs of offshore wind. Image source: CDC 14
With cantilever Up to 400ft WD 470ft Leg 15
If you do need an installation vessel, for smaller turbines, in developing markets our Chameleon variant will do the trick Image source: CDC 16
The Heron, 470ft Leg 17
But for maintenance, the Heron, with its second elevating deck is the only jack-up, in fact the only support vessel capable of providing walk-to-work environment at nacelle height. As well as reaching the parts other jack-ups cannot reach, the Heron overcomes many of the constraints due to weather and sea conditions experienced by other support vessels. There s no bump and jump here. With an ability to operate in greater wind speeds than large boom cranes and greater wave heights than barges your window for planned maintenance is no longer confined to just the summer months. Imagine being able to provide controlled conditions for inspection and repair safety is increased, planned operations are no longer at the mercy of the weather and your costs are reduced. The Heron is purpose built for providing heavy maintenance. Gearbox, generator and blade repair and maintenance can all take place without the need to wait on or pay for a more expensive crane barge. In fact blade repair and maintenance can take place on foot with the Heron second deck providing a safer working environment by replacing the need for rope access. Capable of handling up to 250 tons more than enough t handle the gearbox, generator or blades of even the largest turbines you re no longer reliant on the services or associated costs of, the large boom cranes. And with the second extending deck providing a safer working environment, you can eliminate the need for, the risks of and the cost of helicopter services. In fact, with he ability to scan blades with an industrial MRI, rather than a hand held device, inspection and repair will become more proactive, reducing the likelihood 18 and cost of forced outage
The Heron is purpose built to provide in-field central accommodation. As more wind turbine generators are developed further offshore, you know more offshore maintenance strategies will be required. The Heron can house >120 personal on a stable non-moving platform. Its daughter craft enables the in-field servicing of local turbines while the vessel itself attends to heavier scheduled or unscheduled activities. The Heron is a self propelled DP2 jack-up designed to MODU class. It has lots of wind related letters after its name. The MODU class extends its competitiveness and its market appeal, allowing the Heron to step over to work in the oil & gas sector. It was designed specifically with offshore wind in mind. It was designed specifically to meet your operation and maintenance needs. And we believe it offers the next successful step in jack-up evolution. My colleagues are handing out brochures, please take one. And if you have any questions, we d be delighted to answer them. Thank you. Image source: CDC 19