OTC 2012: Bosch Rexroth, Allseas develop new heavy-lift vessel

April 24, 2012
Highlights for Bosch Rexroth at OTC 2012 will cover a range of technologies, including work on a special vessel to lift offshore platforms in one piece, standardizing of components adapted for deep sea applications, and new surface technology for large hydraulic cylinders.

Offshore staff

HOUSTON – Highlights for Bosch Rexroth at OTC 2012 will cover a range of technologies, including work on a special vessel to lift offshore platforms in one piece, standardizing of components adapted for deep sea applications, and new surface technology for large hydraulic cylinders.

The Topside Lifting System expects to reduce cost and increase safety in decommissioning platforms. As engineering partner to the Allseas Group, Bosch Rexroth developed and engineered a drive and control system for what will be the world’s largest mobile offshore installation lifting vessel. ThePieter Schelte is designed to lift and transport in one piece topsides weighing up to 48,000 tons.

Rexroth is the first to adapt numerous standard components such as pressure compensation and corrosion protection to provide equipment with a longer maintenance-free life span and optimal performance for deepwater applications.

To test its designs, Rexroth developed a subsea test power unit equipped with a water-proof motor/pump assembly that can drive an axial piston motor and hydraulic cylinders via an encapsulated valve control. The hydraulic system comes in a pressure-compensated design. Rexroth tested the equipment in a unique pressure chamber and demonstrated the function of its hydraulic components to a depth of 6,000 m (19,685 ft).

Large hydraulic cylinders are used in many offshore applications such as riser tensioning, heave compensation, skidding, deck mating, and jacking. The piston rod surface of these engineer-to-order products is an essential part of the hydraulic installation.

Rexroth now offers Enduroq 3200 as an extension of its existing in-house technologies for piston rods of large hydraulic cylinders. These solutions include the existing Enduroq 3000, a single layer Ultimet based surface technology, and Enduroq 2000 and Enduroq 2200, both based on the proven HVOF technologies.

In the future, a new special vessel from the Allseas Group will completely lift the platforms from their steel “jacket” and transport them onto land. Bosch Rexroth developed and engineered the drive and control system and the major components.