FEATURE CABLING & CABLE MANAGEMENT
Cable management for the offshore industry
Oil and gas offshore platforms represent one of the most extreme working environments on earth and as such health and safety on oil rigs is paramount, and effective cable management is no exception. This is where the aluminium support system, Alphastrut, can play an integral role in the efficiency and operations of an offshore asset’s infrastructure
A
lphastrut is a support system, consisting of engineered aluminium
extrusions and fabricated brackets. The system can be bolted together to form any configuration of support frame, which has the ability to carry all manner of services.
Below and bottom: Alphastrut has been used on several projects to date, the most notable being BP Valhall, Nexen Golden Eagle and BP Clair Ridge
create full multi-discipline overhead support grids, allowing combined support and saving further weight and time. Alphastrut does not require fixed welded support brackets, creating a solution which allows the end user to place supports in any location, with any cable runs and loads in mind, whilst dramatically reducing installation times. The support system can be supplied as standard lengths for cutting on-site, or specifically designed kits for the module, equipment room or walkway. Additionally, the floor arrangement can be readily adjusted to take account of unexpected load requirements during cable installation and for ease of access afterwards. Alphastrut solutions engineers use the latest 3D software to provide a design service which maps out complete solutions for overhead grid supports, load bearing raised access floors and sub- floor containment. Due to aluminium being a soft metal it
This includes electrical and mechanical cable work, HVAC, partitions and raised access floors, including sub-floor containment and architectural needs. The key feature of Alphastrut lies in its
design which is 100% interchangeable with existing steel and stainless steel support systems, and offers the same load bearing capacity but at a fraction of the component weight. When coated with a marine grade anodised finish, Alphastrut achieves corrosion resistance in an offshore environment comparable to that of stainless steel. This, coupled with cost savings of its stainless steel counterparts, illustrates the benefits of Alphastrut as a cable management support system which does not compromise on strength, durability or sustainability.
HOW DOES IT WORK? The Alphastrut system is versatile and flexibility is only limited by parameters which design and fabrication teams may be working to. The system can be used to
20 SEPTEMBER 2014 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
is much easier to cut than steel, both manually and mechanically. This means that there is no need for the hot work permits and skilled trades required with steel and other stainless steel systems. In addition to this, when aluminium is cut, it is self protecting due to the natural formation of an oxide coating which removes the need for the application of on-site cut end corrosion protection and de-burring.
These features provide significant
health and safety benefits by removing hazardous activities and hot work from the site and reducing the risk of manual handling events. The weight saving offered by Alphastrut
is also a key benefit for operators and contractors, as it allows them to design lighter structures. By reducing the weight of ‘non-production’ facilities on the platform, they can maximise the amount of revenue generating extraction and production kit onboard. The lightweight components also reduce installation, transport and shipping costs, reducing project times and improving safety, which is a top priority.
IN THE OFFSHORE INDUSTRY Alphastrut has been used on several projects to date, the most notable being BP Valhall, Nexen Golden Eagle and BP Clair Ridge, with the latter currently being built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea. Clair Ridge consists of two bridge linked platforms, 75km west of the Shetland Islands. Here, Alphastrut is being employed predominantly as a cable management support system in the living quarter modules. On both the BP Valhall and Clair Ridge
projects, Alphastrut has provided the complete design solution for overhead cable management supports, raised access floors and sub-floor service supports. Graeme Hill, chief executive of Murray
Metals, commented, “The combination of weight and cost savings - together with easy installation - makes Alphastrut the obvious choice for offshore cable management support solutions. We have ambitious global expansion plans for Alphastrut and hope that this revolutionary product positions us at the forefront of the offshore cable management market.”
Alphastrut
www.alphastrut.com T: 01698 841 199
Enter 207 / ELECTRICALENGINEERING
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