Extended reach breathing apparatus system (ERBAS) for North Sea Operator

Challenge

Stork was approached by a major Operator to supply a complete breathing system for work required inside the platform leg on a North Sea asset. The workscope included the supply of a breathing apparatus system to allow four NASA operatives to work at the bottom of the leg while they performed cell mapping operations. Operations required access to live cell pipes which could involve a potential gas release. Furthermore, this was more challenging as the operatives had no previous breathing apparatus experience.

Solution

Stork deployed its specialist leg entry kit which for the first time included the Extended Reach Breathing Apparatus System (ERBAS). ERBAS greatly simplified the leg entry operations with is compact design and easy single hand use. All NASA leg entry personnel where given breathing apparatus training by Stork’s breathing apparatus specialists to ensure they were fully competent working with the new equipment. The equipment was also commissioned, maintained and monitored daily by two experienced Stork breathing apparatus technicians.

Benefits

Essentially, the Extended Reach Breathing Apparatus System is easier to use and quicker to operate ensuring a safer and more efficient method of refilling essential air supplies. ERBAS proved to be quick to deploy and easy to use. Evacuation was greatly improved with its ease and speed. Airline trip hazards were eliminated when moving between floors and the deployment of the equipment was safer with all cylinders being protected in a robust protective case.

Once in place, there was no requirement to remove cylinders for refilling unlike traditional exchange systems which involve winching equipment. This improved safety and saved time on the workscope. Costs were also reduced with minimal maintenance requirements. During this very successful deployment, several areas for improvements were identified which has resulted in further development of the system, including a major breakthrough in reducing the refill time from 60 to 20 seconds making the system even faster.

“I have a very positive impression of Stork’s breathing system and ERBAS refill stations. I found the harness comfortable and the composite cylinder was so lightweight and small that I didn’t really notice I was wearing it. I found the hi-pressure connector to be very intuitive and easy to find and use during evacuation. Although I didn’t use the backup bottles contained in the ERBAS unit, it was comforting to know that there was a backup if needed“ Shaun Azimi Engineer - Robotics System Technology Branch Johnson Space Centre, NASA.

Where: North Sea Asset

When: December 2013 - May 2014

Safety: Project delivered safely with no lost time incidents (LTIs)