Balltec Ltd
Profile
Balltec designs and manufactures mechanical connectors for applications in the oil and gas industry. Our products include mooring connectors, the world’s largest fleet of pipeline abandonment and recovery tools and heavy lift connectors.
Balltec presents to OTC 2013, its latest innovation the BendLOK, a diverless bend stiffener connector.
Address
Unit 2B, The Gateway White Lund Industrial Estate
Morecambe, Lancashire LA3 3PB
United Kingdom
Phone: 44 1524 733388
Fax: 44 1524 733399
Press Releases
Balltec Successfully Moor USAN FPSO and System ‘0’
Balltec Ltd, the UK based supplier of the MoorLOK™, the world’s most advanced ball and taper mooring connector, has successfully completed the supply and installation of 41 MoorLOK™ subsea mooring connectors (SMCs) for the Total USAN ‘FPSO’ and System ‘O’ projects. The MoorLOKs™ are moored in 3000ft of water off the South East Nigerian coast.
Balltec, who were contracted by Saipem, started the installation of the SMCs in four distinct areas of the USAN project, the FPSO, SPM Buoy, Offloading Lines (OOL) and Back up Lines (BUL) in the first quarter of 2011. This is the single biggest MoorLOK™ project to date and the highest Minimum Breaking Load (MBL) Balltec has worked to since being established in 2004.
The mooring of the FPSO vessel, using 16 off 18,033kN MoorLOK™ connectors started in the first quarter of 2011 and was completed in time for System ‘O’ to be moored in the second quarter. The System ‘O’ contract included the supply of 8 off 10,000kN MoorLOKs™ for the assembly tendons and 4 off 12,000kN MoorLOKs for the top tethers. 4 off 6,000kN MoorLOKs were supplied for back-up lines and the SPM buoy required 9 off 8,000kN MoorLOK connectors.
Extensive testing was carried out on the project, following the requirements from Total, the USAN project operators.
Russell Benson, Managing Director, Balltec Ltd said:
“Balltec is proud to have played a significant part in the development of the USAN field. The selection of the MoorLOK™connector for the USAN project has afforded Balltec the opportunity to take the pre-installation testing of the product to a whole new level. With the help of both TOTAL and Saipem we have categorically proven that our connectors are built for the most extreme cases and I truly believe that we have reaffirmed the Balltec MoorLOK™ as the most advanced and cost effective subsea mooring connector on the market.”
Balltec Ltd proudly introduces the Helical Subsea Mooring Connector
Helical Subsea Mooring Connectors (SMC’s) are a simplified connector suitable for the most demanding mooring applications. Helical connectors build on Balltec’s experience in subsea moorings and are specifically designed to retain ease of use whilst reducing parts count and negating the need for chemicals and environment seals.
The Quality and Reliability of offshore mooring hardware is of paramount importance, the simplicity of Helical Connectors offers unmatched confidence and reliability from one of the world’s leading mooring connector suppliers.
The design of the Helical Connector combines the top entry, self-aligning and speedy installation features of the more complex ball and taper mooring connector with the simplicity of a traditional ROV H-Link.
Balltec Ltd, who specialise in ball and taper connectors is constantly finding new applications for the oil and gas industry. The Helical Connector is the first none ball and taper product to be added to its portfolio.
Martin Bell, Sales and Marketing Director said:
“The Balltec team is very proud to introduce the Helical Connector. As a company we have a significant track record in subsea moorings and we are always looking to develop and innovate. The Helical Connector is a product that moves away from complex and back to simplicity. We have listened to the market and now, through our range of connectors, we have a product for everyone.”
The Helical Connector will be available to view at OTC in May. Further details can be found on the website www.balltec.com
Products
Name: BendLOK
Description: Balltec BendLOK™ offers a secure and robust permanent mechanical connection between the Bend Stiffener and the I-Tube or J Tube.
Details:
Built on Balltec’s subsea mechanical mooring equipment, the BendLOKs™ adaptable design has inherent flexibility to enable the interface with the various risers, umbilical’s and various end terminations. It allows fully automatic engagement and disconnection, without the need for divers or ROV intervention, and has a simple, maintenance free female part connected to the FPSO or turrets.
In addition Balltec has developed an innovative riser pull-in tool that allows automatic release, without the requirement of shear pins, tension pins or hydraulics.
Name: MoorLOK
Description: The Balltec MoorLOK™ is the world’s only patented ball and taper subsea mooring connector. Our MoorLOK™ systems are designed for the temporary and permanent mooring of all floating structures.
Details:
Balltec Ltd has over 250 MoorLOK™ connectors in service including, at 1800mT, some of the world’s largest, in use on the USAN FPSO. The MoorLOK™ is built on 30 years of pioneering ball and taper expertise resulting in the most reliable and advanced connector on the market. Now in its fifth design revision the MoorLOK™ keeps getting better ensuring that Balltec gets the job done first time, every time with a product that delivers. Whilst some mooring products claim to rival the MoorLOK™ connector our unique benefits quickly denounce the competition.
Name: PipeLOK
Description: The Balltec PipeLOK™ fleet is the world’s largest and most technologically advanced fleet of pipeline abandonment and recovery tools. Balltec designs, tests and manufactures PipeLOK™ tools, building on 30 years’ experience in the field.
Details:
Balltec can supply PipeLOKs to cover any size of pipe and has tools in stock of every variation from 3”- 48”. Based on the ball and taper principle, the PipeLOK™ tool is engineered to provide greater re-usability over a broad range of internal pipe diameters. The quality engineering ensures a rock solid design for multiple lifts and recoveries. With safe working loads of up to 1200mT and no water depth limitations, Balltec has the tool to suit your project.
The PipeLOK™ light and compact design offers a default lock state, with a high mechanical pre-load for a failsafe operation. PipeLOK™ boasts a faultless 100% failure free track record over multiple tools and projects.
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