Offshore staff

(Aberdeen) Noble Drilling has contracted Bardex for equipment upgrades to rig skidding systems already in place on Apache's Forties Alpha and Bravo platforms in the UK sector. In each case, Bardex has supplied piston-gripper assemblies, rated at 150 t capacity, to suit the existing beam flange.

The grippers will interface with the company's existing jacking cylinders that have served on these North Sea platforms for over 30 years. The original hose-type gripper assemblies are being taken out of service. Recently, Bardex undertook a similar job on Forties Charlie.

08-30-2006