Challenge: An operator contracted 7-8 vessels to supply their rigs with different types of fluids, such as DKD, SBM / OBM, base oil, WARP Advanced Fluids Technology and completion brines. The vessel tanks needed to be cleaned regularly prior to changing/taking on different fluids for different applications. The method of cleaning the vessel tanks was manual labor with extensive confined space entry and exposure to fluids and vapors. Murphy Oil’s advances in applying their QHSE policies regarding tank entry required a different method to reduce confined space man entry and exposure to fluids and vapors.
Solution: The AUTOMATIC TANK CLEANING process was presented to Murphy Oil management as an alternative and safer way of cleaning the vessel tanks, greatly reducing confined space entry, waste to be disposed and enhancing boat turnaround times. To absolutely minimize tank entry, a 100% permanent installation of TCM’s (Tank cleaning machines) in all vessel tanks was proposed employing a “plug and play” approach. The TCM installations/placements were based and proposed on a detailed survey of all tanks in all vessels. The ATC unit was brought into the SLB Labuan base and a 24 hr ATC crew was on standby to ensure quick mobilization and demobilization of the portable ATC unit from base to port quayside.
Results:
An operator contracted 7-8 vessels to supply their rigs with different types of fluids, such as DKD, SBM / OBM, base oil, Warp Advanced Fluids Technology and completion brines. The vessel tanks needed to be cleaned regularly prior to changing/taking on different fluids for different applications. The method of cleaning the vessel tanks was manual labor with extensive confined space entry and exposure to fluids and vapors. Murphy Oil’s advances in applying their QHSE policies regarding tank entry required a different method to reduce confined space man entry and exposure to fluids and vapors.
The Automatic Tank Cleaning process was presented to Murphy Oil management as an alternative and safer way of cleaning the vessel tanks, greatly reducing confined space entry, waste to be disposed and enhancing boat turnaround times. To absolutely minimize tank entry, a 100% permanent installation of TCM’s (Tank cleaning machines) in all vessel tanks was proposed employing a “plug and play” approach. The TCM installations/ placements were based and proposed on a detailed survey of all tanks in all vessels. The ATC unit was brought into the SLB Labuan base and a 24 hr ATC crew was on standby to ensure quick mobilization and demobilization of the portable ATC unit from base to port quayside.
The ATC unit provided an ideal solution for the clients rising safety concerns of confined space entries, as well as for their economic issues caused by steadily increasing supply vessel day rates and supply vessel NPTs due to time consuming manual tank cleaning operations.
We’ll be glad to answer them. If you’d like to know more about the Automatic Tank Cleaning system and how it’s performing for our other customers, please call the SLB office nearest you.
