PROJECT: Refurbishment of Subsea Shears
CUSTOMER: James Fisher Offshore
PROJECT SUMMARY
James Fisher Offshore – a global leader in offshore and subsea operations – commissioned Miller to carry out a full refurbishment of one of its subsea shears that had been in operation for its customer, a major attachment supplier of subsea equipment for offshore decommissioning industries.
CHALLENGE
Operational for many years, the subsea shears, which are specialised cutting tools designed to operate efficiently in challenging underwater environments, was experiencing hydraulic issues. James Fisher required a cost-effective solution to overhaul the 20t subsea shears – so they could continue to operate safely in the harsh environmental conditions they endure, ultimately prolonging the lifespan of the equipment.
WHY MILLER
- Over 45 years’ experience in manufacturing, repairing and refurbishing an extensive range of attachments;
- Dedicated repair and refurbishment facilities spanning over an impressive 16,950 sq ft;
- Overhead craneage facilities with high crane lift capabilities of up to 32 Tonne;
- Highly trained and skilled team comprising specialist skillsets in fabrication, welding, NDT, fitting and line boring;
- Ability to tailor repair services to individual customer needs to provide a bespoke package;
- Dedicated transport facilities for heavy equipment and machinery;
- Work Safe with Miller initiative embedded in the culture at Miller ensures a sustainable safety mindset is instilled with individuals at all levels.
SOLUTION
Once onsite Miller carried out an initial investigation to determine the route cause of the hydraulic failings of the subsea shears and develop a full work scope of the refurbishment requirements.
Miller identified:
- The cylinder was not functioning as it should, showing signs of wear and tear, including corrosion;
- A vital component – the pivot point on the jaw – which allows the jaws of the shear to open and close effectively was not operating as it should which was impacting on the operation of the cylinder;
- The pivot point had a large crack inside the bore;
- The shaft within the cylinder had seized.
With a full understanding of the refurbishment requirements, Miller delivered:
- Lancing and stripping of the subsea shears
- The cylinder was safely disassembled, with all parts cleaned;
- Worn parts on the cylinder were replaced, including cylinder pins and a full hydraulic hose pack. A new shaft was also installed using a freeze fitting method to achieve a precise fit;
- Once the cylinder was reassembled, full testing, including pressure testing was conducted to ensure it was fully operational, meeting the required specifications of operating at depths of 10,000 feet, with no leaks present;
- A new jaw pivot pin with bushing and hardware was installed;
- The main body of the subsea shear was reassembled;
- Repaint of the subsea shears using anti-corrosion primer and paint for superior protection when operating in harsh-marine environments.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- Through comprehensive investigating, Miller identified the issues effecting the performance of the subsea shears;
- Full refurbishment of the cylinder will help to maintain the efficiency and safety of the subsea shears, allowing them to operate at maximum performance in demanding conditions;
- The scale of the equipment that this repair was carried out on is true testament. to Miller’s capabilities to handle projects of this nature.
“We have been really impressed by Miller’s capabilities to deliver a complex project of this nature. The company firmly understood the stringent requirements for equipment such as this and its need to perform in the toughest environments. The refurbishments have significantly extended the lifespan of the equipment and will allow for maximum performance in full operation.”
Darren Chapman, Operations Manager at James Fisher Offshore
