UK based subsea and grouting specialist, FoundOcean has been awarded the offshore grouting contract by SBM Offshore for the MOPUstor Phase 2 installation in the Yme oil field, North Sea. Grouting equipment has been mobilised and set up on the work vessel, and a suitable work window is awaited prior to mobilisation of the 12-man crew.
The MOPUstor installation consists of an oil storage tank on top of which a three-legged topsides facility or MOPU sits. The MOPU legs are inserted into the towers of the storage tank. The connection between the legs and the towers will be made by injecting a cement grout into the annuli.
A subsea grouting manifold fitted with FoundOcean subsea male Grout Connectors is located at -43.5m on the substructure. An ROV will guide the FoundOcean female Grout Connector fitted to the grout hose into position. The grout hose will be supported by a steel down line fitted with buoyancy floats from the installation vessel, to minimise drag on the ROV.
The grouting operation is expected to take five days to complete, and is dependent on a clear weather window.