Advanced Production and Loading (APL), a BW Offshore division, has awarded subsea mooring connector specialist, First Subsea Ltd, a contract to supply mooring line connectors and buoy pull-in connector for the Peregrino FPSO submerged turret production (STP) buoy.

The Peregrino STP buoy will be moored in 100m of water, 85km offshore Brazil. The FPSO is operated by Maersk FPSOs Brazil.

First Subsea is providing ten Ballgrab ball and taper connectors with a minimum breaking load (MBL) of 10,600kN for its 30 year life. The female Ballgrab connectors are attached around the side of the buoy ahead of tow out. Once in position the male Ballgrabs and mooring lines are connected subsea with assistance by ROV, avoiding the need for divers.

Peregrino Buoy Pull-in Tool

APL is also using a Ballgrab buoy pull-in tool to pull the 600 tonne STP buoy into the FPSO. The female part of the connector is integrated within the top of the STP buoy. Once the FPSO is in position, the Ballgrab male connector is lowered into the female connector on the STP buoy, locked into position and the buoy pulled into the FPSO's mating cone.

APL project manager, Arild Saudland, commented, “We selected the Ballgrab mooring connectors and buoy pull-in tool mainly based on a competitive schedule and proven design.”

Tags: First Subsea Ltd