First Subsea sets depth record for ball and taper mooring connectors

Ballgrab connectors have been successfully installed at a depth of 8,637 ft (2,632 m) to moor the truss spar for Shell's Perdido development project in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sept. 17, 2008

Offshore staff

ABERDEEN, UK -- Ballgrab connectors have been successfully installed at a depth of 8,637 ft (2,632 m) to moor the truss spar for Shell's Perdido development project in the Gulf of Mexico. This sets a new depth record for ball and taper mooring connectors, according to First Subsea.

All nine ballgrab connectors have been installed for the nine taut-leg chain-polyester rope-chain mooring system. Designed with a minimum breaking load (MBL) of 3,880 kips (17,260kN), the ballgrab connectors are linking thePerdido suction piles and ground chain segments interfacing directly with long-term mooring shackles.

The receptacle part of the connectors was installed subsea with the piles, mounted on a First Subsea connector docking porch. The insertion part of the connectors has now been installed to moor the truss spar, the company says.

09/16/2008

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