Enabling ultra-deep-water deployment and recovery operations by safe usage of fibre rope

Offshore Oil & Gas industry operations are shifting into deeper waters due to the depletion of easily accessible resources available in shallow waters. This change demanded a novel technological approach since traditional steel wire rope based systems are reaching their economical limits, due to rope self-weight and its implications on the reduction of the working load capacity. Fibre rope based technology, on the contrary, maintains full lifting capacity from surface to sea bottom, independently of water depth. This advantage enables increases in productivity with significant operational cost savings, along with other ergonomic and maintenance advantages. However, this change is not trivial and many technical, but also social/cultural barriers have to be overcome. Developed in close cooperation, the Soft Rope System encompasses high performance synthetic fibre rope, with a fibre ropefriendly drum winch design that enables a highly efficient, safe and reliable system for ultra-deep-water operations.

Author(s): R.P. Faria, R. Bosman, M. Crawford, S. Leite and J. Boesten