Marine Oil & Gas

An oil and gas client had a requirement to set up an urgent maintenance visit to an unmanned offshore installation (NUI) to perform repair work. During planning, it was identified that the platform’s 8-year-old VRLA battery required replacement in line with the clients’ battery maintenance strategy.

Maintenance work on the client’s unmanned assets requires a temporary vessel to mobilise to station. As access to the platform via a vessel is often at the mercy of the elements, planning can be challenging and unpredictable. It is therefore important to approach such work with a “right first time” attitude and fully capitalise on any opportunities to access the worksite.

Dale’s Solution

It became clear that it was not going to be possible to replace the battery with a like for like model within the clients preferred timescale. Dale therefore sourced an alternative battery model, suitable to the platforms load profile and with comparable physical dimensions. Similar dimensions were crucial to successful replacement as the new battery had to fit into an existing frames on the platform.

The battery blocks were all charged, and capacity discharge tested in a controlled on-shore environment, then fully recharged prior to shipping offshore.

Safety when unpacking is of paramount importance to the client and a strict packaging standard was adhered to for all eight pallets of batteries.

A Dale technician mobilised offshore along with lifting and moving equipment, to carry out the battery replacement.

Our Results

• Successful battery replacement achieved within a tight timescale

• Alternative battery to suit a very specific brief was sourced, charged and capacity discharge tested to meet the required shipping date

• Offshore service personnel and installation equipment were planned to align with delivery of battery

• Clients’ aim to minimise offshore maintenance was fulfilled