InterMoor, a provider of mooring services, and a part of Acteon, has acquired all intellectual property of the BEL Grapnel & Chaser (BEL) company.

The acquisition includes drawings, designs, and cast patterns for the complete range of anchor and chain handling equipment (chasers and grapnels).

Grapnel hooks are traditionally used during the recovery of dropped components offshore; chasers enable steady and controlled lowering and raising during the installation and recovery of mooring system components.

“BEL products add a new level of intricate anchor recovery in the form of chain pocket, wire roller and detachable and locking mechanisms to InterMoor’s existing range of chaser designs,” said Mark Prentice, technical manager at InterMoor UK. “Through finite element analysis, its latest designs are also suitable for the harshest environments in which the oil and gas industry is increasingly working. All BEL and Inter-M chasers are also designed, cast and tested in the UK to very strict manufacturing procedures, international casting guidelines, complete non-destructive-examination and proof/break load requirements.”

“This acquisition provides InterMoor with an opportunity to deliver a more complete offering to our valued clients with fewer interfaces for obtaining the right equipment and the right service at the right time,” Mark Jones, global chief executive officer, InterMoor, added. “This means shorter lead times, which is a crucial element in delivering greater operational efficiency to our customers.”