Rolls Royce awarded Petrobras anchor-handling system

Offshore staff

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Petrobras has awarded Rolls-Royce a $60 million contract to supply a newly-developed anchor handling system for use offshore Brazil.

The system will be fitted to two vessels serving platforms owned by Petrobras. The vessels are currently under construction by STX Brasil Offshore and each one will carry more than 1,000 metric tons (1,102 tons) of Rolls-Royce equipment.

The equipment package includes winches specially designed for the maneuver and installation of torpedo anchors. Weighing 130 metric tons (143 tons) each, the torpedo anchors have been developed by Petrobras to penetrate the seabed, giving a secure fixing for the heavy-duty cables used to keep oil platforms in position.

When complete, each vessel will feature a deck machinery package and equipment designed to enhance safety of operations at sea. In addition to winches, Rolls-Royce will supply anchor handling cranes, stern rollers, towing and stopping pins, and a pennant winder and spooling sheave.

05/22/2009