ArGe Baltic 2 foundations, a Joint Venture between Hochtief and GeoSea, has awarded Ulstein Idea Equipment Solutions BV a contract for the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) of a complete pile upend as well as lifting tool for the Baltic 2 wind farm installation project.
By using basic laws of mechanical equilibrium, Ulstein Idea Equipment Solutions’ proprietary design ‘Simplicity Improves Safety’ (SIS) upend frame provides increased safety during pile upending operations by ensuring a balanced support and full control of the pile throughout the entire upending cycle, eliminating the risk of uncontrolled lateral forces (side lead) on the crane. Its improved geometric design, which is based on the proven “Saddle and Hook” upending technology, will also avoid the support cables to become slack and therefore prevent resulting shock loads.
“Ulstein Idea is proud to have been awarded the contract to supply this innovative equipment, as it is our passion and ambition to develop and supply equipment that enhances the operation and safety of work performed offshore,” says Arjan Boezeman, Director of Concepts and Sales. “This design eliminates the risks introduced in particular when upending large diameter piles using traditional slender pile upending methods. We are convinced that this design will set a new standard for safe upending of large diameter piles.”
The products will be delivered in Rostock in the summer of 2013 for final installation and commissioning on to the ‘Goliath’ Jack-up Platform that will be used for the installation of the foundations for the Baltic 2 Offshore Wind farm in the Baltic Sea, offshore Germany.
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Press release, January 08, 2013; Image: ulsteinidea