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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
DECEMBER 2015
18
ENVIRONMENTAL
MSA SUPPLIES FULL RANGE OF FIRE AND GAS
detection solutions to offshore project
T
he deepwater development lies in
water depths ranging from 450 m to
1 200 m, and consists of a tension-leg
platform (TLP) and a floating production unit
(FPU). The 14 600 ton vertically moored
floating TLP is used to extract oil and gas
and transport it to the 62 000 ton FPU.
The FPU, which measures 250 m in length,
44 m in width and 18 m in depth, will pro-
cess the oil and gas and send it to on-
shore plants via subsea pipelines. It boasts
a production capacity of 140 000 barrels
per day (b/d) of oil and 2,5 million cubic
meters per day (mmcm/d) of gas.
A large-scale project such as this requires
a considerable amount of gas and flame
detectors to ensure the safety of all onsite
employees and to prevent any damage to in-
frastructure. Bearing this in mind, a range of
MSA GM detection products have been com-
missioned for both the FPU and TLP.
GM is recognised as a global leader in high
tech gas monitoring and flame detection
instrumentation. GM falls under the um-
brella of MSA – a global leader in the de-
velopment, manufacture and supply of so-
phisticated products that protect people’s
health and safety.
MSA’s West Africa channel distribution
partner Autochim is responsible for the
full supply of the products. Autochim West
Africa manager Patrice Meyer reveals that
the contract for the TLP was awarded in
July 2013, and fully-completed by Febru-
ary 2015.
“The scope of supply for the TLP includ-
ed; 79 IR4000S point gas detectors, two
Chillgard M100 refrigerant gas detectors,
32 FL4000H multi spectrum IR flame de-
tectors, four IR5500 open path gas detec-
tors, two S4100C hydrogen detectors, six
loops of linear heat detectors, 49 conven-
tional smoke and heat detectors, two del-
uge valves skids and 31 manual call points
and pull handles,” he states.
Autochim was awarded the contract for
the FPU hull in December 2013, and the
FPU topsides in July 2014. The scope of
supply included; 475 IR4000S point gas
detectors; 360 FL4000H multi spectrum
IR flame detectors; 92 IR5500 open path
gas detectors; three S4000C hydrogen
detectors; three Ultima oxygen detectors;
742 standard smoke and heat detectors;
165 manual call points and pull handles;
23 high sensitivity smoke detectors; an
Inergen fire suppression system and a
water mist detection and fire suppression
system; and a CCR group panel with mis-
cellaneous equipment.
MSA Africa product manager for fixed gas
and flame detection, Robbie Taitz highlights
the fact that it is important that the safety
system functions efficiently in the event of an
incident occurring at any point in the plant’s
operational lifespan. “It is, therefore, essen-
tial that safety products comply with inter-
nationally recognised Safety Integrity Level
(SIL) standards,” hes says
SIL is a measurement of performance re-
quired for a safety instrumented function,
and is categorised into four ratings; SIL 1,
SIL 2, SIL 3 and SIL 4. SIL 4 rated products
are almost indestructible, and are used in
applications where safety is vital, such as
in space programmes. SIL 3 rated prod-
ucts are highly reliable and are most com-
monly used in hazardous industries such
as oil and gas.
Taitz adds that a number of products sup-
plied to the FLP are SIL-rated and said
“A stand-alone gas detection system and
water mist detection system each feature
a SIL3 PLC. What’s more, the BV address-
able fire system, with 1066 address-
able smoke, heat detectors and MAC is
SIL2-rated.”
The deepwater development was launched
by two international oil giants, which op-
erate a combined 85 percent interest,
together with a state-owned entity, which
holds a 15 percent interest in the project.
Due to the fact that Autochim has been rec-
ognised as a preferred supplier to one of
the oil companies for more than 30 years,
Meyer notes that no major challenges have
been encountered. “The company makes
exclusive use of MSA GM products on its
onshore and offshore rigs, due to their ex-
cellent quality and reliability. This project
has proven to be a success to date, and
I am confident of doing future business
deals in the region,” he concludes.