Maritime Developments Ltd. (MDL) has successfully completed the subsea decommissioning (SURF) campaign in the Campos field, Brazil. This campaign was conducted to recover infrastructure related to a decommissioned Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, located approximately 250 kilometers east of Rio de Janeiro.
Details of the Subsea Decommissioning Project
The project was executed using a multipurpose vessel previously chartered by the field operator. The scope of work included the recovery of flexible flowlines, communication cables, and jumpers. MDL also provided the necessary equipment for the operations and offered engineering services and marine personnel for this project.
Before the operations began, a feasibility study and advanced engineering design (FEED) was conducted by MDL to determine whether the existing operator's vessel was capable of performing the decommissioning work. This study examined recovery methods, product tension requirements, rail capacity, deck layout, and initial structural requirements.
Equipment Used in the Operations
To carry out the operations at sea, MDL utilized the Wheelhouse Horizontal Lay System (WHLS-02) along with a 110-ton tension meter, a third-generation rail drive system, FRN-150 marine winch, and appropriate rails for marine operations. This equipment was stationed in Brazil and operated by MDL personnel from Brazil and the UK.
The WHLS system is designed to reduce the capsule effect during subsea recovery. According to MDL information, this configuration allows a high-capacity tension meter to manage recovery loads of up to 105 tons. Yuri Mendes Martins, MDL Country Manager in Brazil, noted: "This project progressed from an initial feasibility study to marine execution, allowing MDL to support the client throughout all stages of the project lifecycle."
Martins added that the deployment of MDL's portable equipment on the client's selected vessel reduced reliance on specialized construction weights and provided greater flexibility in project scheduling and costs. This campaign adds to MDL's subsea decommissioning work in Brazil, as operators address a growing inventory of mature offshore infrastructure.
Read more: Kistos completes acquisition of Mitsui's stake in Blocks 3 and 4, Oman · New Nexus+ acquires stake in Deltic Energy
