Maersk FPSO has completed the retrieval and pull-in of a submerged turret production (STP) buoy into the Maersk Peregrino FPSO, offshore Brazil, using a First Subsea ball and taper, buoy pull-in tool.

Moored in 100m of water, in Peregrino field, Block BM-C-7, Campos Basin, Brazil, the STP buoy is held in place with 10 mooring lines each attached to the side of the STP buoy using Ballgrab mooring line connectors. A male Ballgrab connector was also chosen to retrieve and pull the 600 tonne buoy into the Maersk Peregrino FPSO by integrating a female connector receptacle within the top of the buoy

Prior to the Maersk Peregrino FPSO arriving on-station, the male Type III Ballgrab (MBL 1,200 tonnes), attached to the pull-in rope, was lowered into the female connector on the STP buoy by the installation vessel Maersk Attender. Once the FPSO was in position the buoy, held 22m below the surface, was pulled into the vessel’s mating cone module. With the STP buoy locked in position, the Maersk Peregrino FPSO is permanently moored at its location.

The Ballgrab pull-in tool performed well, enabling the STP buoy to be lifted into position within the project schedule.

Source: firstsubsea,February 07, 2011;