Offshore handling systems specialist Caley Ocean Systems designed and manufactured a Deepwater Lowering System (DLS) for Subsea 7.

The DLS was deployed on the Chevron-operated Gorgon project located off the northwest coast of Western Australia. The system was used to lower subsea structures weighing up to 950 tonnes in water depths of 1,300m.

The DLS comprises two double-drum traction and storage winches and fully redundant controls. These were mounted on an integrated grillage structure for rapid mobilization onto the pipelay and heavy lift vessel Sapura 3000. The system connects to a deepwater lowering beam (DLB) and connector. Each set of winches has its own dedicated hydraulic power unit for optimum control.

The Gorgon Project is operated by an Australian subsidiary of Chevron, and is a joint venture between the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (47.3%), ExxonMobil (25%), Shell (25%), Osaka Gas (1.25%), Tokyo Gas (1%) and Chubu Electric Power (0.417%).

“The dual winch DLS will provide optimum load handling and deployment speed. It also features our modular control systems methodology to ensure safe operation offshore.” –Gregor McPherson, Technical Director, Caley Ocean Systems

Caley Ocean Systems designs and manufactures offshore handling systems for the international energy, defence, seismic and oceanographic science industries. In addition to its Glasgow-based design facilities, Caley’s has a 25,000sqf manufacturing plant with direct access to the River Clyde. Caley was established in 1968, and became part of Pryme Group in 2021 working alongside IMES, Hydratron, GA Engineering and SengS.