**Efficient Decommissioning in Latin America: MDL’s Portable Solution**
Efficient decommissioning is a critical aspect of the oil and gas industry, particularly in regions like Latin America where deepwater operations pose specific challenges. Maritime Developments Ltd. (MDL) has emerged as a key player in this sphere, leveraging innovative technology to streamline decommissioning processes. This article explores MDL’s Portable Horizontal Lay System (HLS) and its transformative impact on offshore decommissioning in Latin America.
### The Challenge of Deepwater Decommissioning
Latin America’s deepwater oil and gas fields, particularly those in Brazil, present unique challenges for decommissioning. One of the primary issues is the high cost associated with deepwater operations. Additionally, the environmental impact and regulatory complexities must be meticulously managed to ensure compliance and sustainability.
### MDL’s Solution: The Portable Horizontal Lay System
To address these challenges, MDL introduced the Portable Horizontal Lay System (HLS), a revolutionary technology that significantly enhances the efficiency of SURF (Submerged Turret Production) recovery operations. The HLS features a modular design, allowing it to be easily deployed on an offshore support vessel (OSV). This modularity enables the system to adapt seamlessly to different operational scenarios and environments.
### The Evolution of the Portable HLS
The introduction of the HLS marked a significant shift in decommissioning strategies. Initially, MDL’s engineers faced the challenge of reducing friction between the flexible pipes and the chute during the recovery process. This friction significantly impeded the system’s recovery capacity, even when using high line pull-capacity tensioners. To address this, MDL redesigned the HLS by incorporating a wheel system, which replaced the traditional chute.
The **Wheeled Horizontal Lay System** (WHLS) overcame the friction issue, allowing for higher recovery capacities without the need for additional steel structures. This innovation provided a more efficient and effective way to handle various lengths and diameters of products, including integrated hang-offs, davits, and work platforms.
### Case Study: MDL’s Success in Brazil
MDL’s collaboration with a Brazilian contractor showcased the WHLS’s capabilities in real-world scenarios. The project involved cost-efficient SURF recovery operations on an offshore support vessel. MDL’s engineers conducted extensive engineering studies to optimize the system’s performance, ensuring that it could handle the recovered pipes efficiently.
The integration of the wheel into the HLS design boosted recovery capacity, enabling the system to match the tensioner