In August 2022, ICON Engineering completed Site Integration Testing (SIT) on a spread of subsea Suction Cans and Tensioner Assemblies, built to support upcoming Plug & Abandonment (P&A) activities for an international operator in the Exmouth Sub-basin of the North West Shelf. The Suction Cans and tensioners are designed to mitigate against potential fatigue of the wellhead while supporting the significant weight of the Blow Out Preventer (BOP) during well decommissioning.
The suction cans and tensioners are used to mitigate against potential fatigue to the wellhead, while supporting the significant weight of the Blow Out Preventer (BOP) during well decommissioning.For more information on Plug & Abandonment (P&A) activities, please click here.
The Suction Can and Tethering Spread
The SIT marked another milestone toward delivery of the tethering system, which consists of eight Suction Cans, each three metres in diameter and eight metres long. The Suction Cans can be deployed and recovered using either a Construction Supply Vessel (CSV) or an Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel, together with a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). Suction cans are a well-established method of providing a solid foundation in soft seabed conditions for the subsea mechanical tensioners tethered to the BOP, and this spread has been designed so it can be reconfigured for similar operations in future.
A suction can and tensioner assembly ahead of Site Integration Testing.
Delivering the Project: Design, Supply, and Partners
ICON is responsible for the full project delivery, including system design and supply, transportation, installation procedures, and installation support. ICON was supported by Polaris Engineering in manufacturing the Suction Cans, and by Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore in delivering the subsea tensioners — all within a fast-tracked timeframe. This kind of tethering and decommissioning support sits within ICON’s broader Platform & Wellhead Removal capability, and the Suction Cans themselves are available through ICON’s Rental Equipment programme.
A BOP tether and suction can spread. To enquire about BOP Tethering and Suction CAN rentals please click here. The suction cans and tensioners are to be used to mitigate against potential fatigue to wellhead whilst supporting the significant weight of the Blow Out Preventor (BOP) during well decommissioning.
