Delivering an industry first by developing a safe and efficient new technique for safely removing caissons from offshore platforms.
BG Group and Amec Foster Wheeler have won the Innovation in Safety Award at this year’s UK Oil & Gas Industry Safety Awards. The judges were impressed to learn that BG Group and Amec Foster Wheeler worked together to deliver an industry first by developing a new technique for removing caissons, the pillars which underpin many North Sea platforms.
The caisson, along with internal dip pipes, was located directly above a gas export line and was a dropped object risk. Expanding foam was pumped down the caisson, fully encapsulating the internal dip pipes, allowing the caisson to be safely cut away in two metre sections.
This innovative method removed the risk to people and the platform and also improved operational efficiency, taking only eight weeks to remove the caisson instead of 22 weeks more traditional methods would have required.
The process holds promise for the future as BG Group plans to use this technology for the removal of similar caissons on other North Sea assets.
As an industry, we need to work together to develop innovative methods and technologies. This solution has been an outstanding achievement and is testament to great team work and commitment from all companies involved and has the potential to be used for any other similar caissons in poor condition.
This award win is a great achievement for the team and demonstrates the power of collaboration. Finding new, innovative ways of working is what will help the future sustainability of our industry and will help to make the industry a safer place to work.