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Barge Master and Boskalis develop 3D motion compensated drill rig

By: Tom Russell 28/02/2017 Barge Master

General Vessels Windfarms

Barge Master has developed a 3D motion compensated drill rig to carry out subsea drilling from a floating barge, an industry first it stated. The rig was used by Boskalis recently to install wind turbine foundations at an unnamed location.

Large water depths, challenging soil conditions and an environmentally sensitive seabed made a floating solution the preferred option for the drilling operation explained Barge Master.

A team of engineers from Boskalis, DDC and Barge Master developed a modular set up for the subsea drilling operation. The modular solution consists of a standard barge outfitted with a Barge Master's T700 motion compensation platform. The stabilised platform accommodates a drill rig, extended over the aft of the barge, and a crawler crane. The company explained that the entire set-up was mobilised within two weeks.

By compensating the 3D motions of the barge the drill rig operations could continue throughout the winter irrespective of waves and swell the company stated. The 70mT weight drill bit was lowered and positioned by the 3D compensated crawler crane. With this set-up, the swing of the drill and drill pipe were completely eliminated allowing for 24/7 non-stop drilling operations which were cost efficient and safe stated Barge Master.

"This operation is a perfect example of the maturity that motion compensation technology has reached. Our systems can operate 24/7 non-stop without a single hitch," Martijn Koppert, CEO of Barge Master.

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Barge Master and Boskalis develop 3D motion compensated drill rig

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