InterMoor upgrades its Fourchon lift capacity to meet new mooring challenges

March 1, 2008
As part of an expansion program begun in 2007 at its 22-acre Port Fourchon shore base, InterMoor Inc., international supplier of offshore rig mooring systems and components, has upgraded the facility’s heavy-lift capability with installation of an 880-short ton (798-metric ton) revolving ringer crane equipped with a 300-ft (91-m) boom and a 120-ft (37-m) jib.

As part of an expansion program begun in 2007 at its 22-acre Port Fourchon shore base, InterMoor Inc., international supplier of offshore rig mooring systems and components, has upgraded the facility’s heavy-lift capability with installation of an 880-short ton (798-metric ton) revolving ringer crane equipped with a 300-ft (91-m) boom and a 120-ft (37-m) jib.

The crane, set inside a 360° revolving turret base, already has been commissioned, and will be showcased to customers, employees and other interested parties during “grand opening” ceremonies at the Port Fourchon base on Thursday, March 27, 2008.

InterMoor Inc. will showcase its new ringer crane, rated for lifts up to 880 short tons (798 metric tons), at its Port Fourchon shore facility on March 27, 2008.
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This mammoth new crane, dubbed the Cajun Lifter, provides more versatility for hoisting mooring system equipment designed for the growing number of deepwater and ultra deepwater projects in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere. With its high load capacity, the crane currently is the largest heavy-lift hoisting apparatus at work in Port Fourchon.

Also stocked at the InterMoor facility is a 300-ton (272-metric ton) crawler crane with a 160-ft (49-m) main boom and 40-ft (12-m) jib, as well as a 200-ton (181-metric ton) crawler model with a 110-ft (34-m) main boom. Also employed are a full line of heavy-duty forklifts capable of moving spooled steel cable or braided polyester line, anchors and connectors, and other mooring components weighing in range from 6,000 lbs to 62,000 lbs.

In addition to a large outside storage area, the Fourchon base offers more than 1,200 ft (366 m) of bulkhead waterfront dock space, a warehouse, office, training center, and living quarters.

Hardware storage pact signed

The company recently signed a long-term contract with a unit of Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. to store and maintain that company’s mooring hardware at the Fourchon facility. The deal provides ample storage space for mooring chain, wire, and anchors for all of the drilling contractor’s extensive GoM operations.

Additionally, InterMoor is increasing its inventory of SEPLAs (suction-embedded plate anchors) at the Port Fourchon facility to reinforce an ongoing marketing thrust for the proprietary anchors, which the company says are significantly more cost effective than traditional suction embedded anchor designs.

InterMoor says its proprietary suction-embedded plate anchor (SEPLA) is being used to moor permanent floating production structures and in some cases can be used with braided polyester anchor line.
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The company in 1Q 2006 successfully installed the world’s first complete, permanent SEPLA mooring system in the Gulf for a newly placed permanent deepwater floating production unit in 3,000 ft (914 m) of water.

Installation of the 12-point, taut-leg system was the third time that polyester anchor line was used in mooring such a permanent floating structure. InterMoor provided complete project management for deployment of the system, including engineering, procurement, fabrication, and installation.

With corporate offices in Amelia, Louisiana, and Houston, and the operations shore base at Port Fourchon, InterMoor Inc., an Acteon company, is a leading supplier of mooring technology providing innovative solutions for rig moves and mooring services including engineering and design, fabrication, and subsea installation.

The company employs a team of fully experienced and highly trained riggers, welders, deck superintendents, rig coordinators, and engineers to handle the most demanding rig moves and deepwater mooring situations. All InterMoor facilities, including the Port Fourchon shore base, are fully certified under ISO 9001:2000.