Cathelco have won an order to supply seawater pipework anti-fouling equipment for the first purpose built jack-up rig to be constructed for Saudi Aramco.

The rig will be built at the Keppel FELS yard in Singapore and is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2012 when it will be deployed by Saudi Aramco in the Middle East.

Cathelco anti-fouling systems are designed to eliminate blockages in seawater pipework caused by the growth of barnacles and mussels. They will be supplying equipment to protect four strainers on the jack-up rig, each with flow rates of up to 1,160 m3/hr.

The systems consist of copper and aluminium anodes which are mounted in the strainers and fed with an electrical current from a control panel. The copper anodes produce ions which prevent barnacle and mussel larvae from settling and breeding. At the same time, the aluminium anode produces ions which suppress corrosion inside the pipework.

Another order for anti-fouling equipment has come from Singapore Technologies Engineering (STE) who are building four anchor handling tugs for Swire Pacific Offshore Operations.

Tags: Cathelco