Project Overview
Towards the end of 2022, Red Rooster Lifting supplied a 6-tonne low headroom air hoist and trolley on a 6-week rental to support a gas turbine replacement project on an offshore platform.
Gas turbines serve as the primary powerhouses of offshore installations, generating electricity and driving the equipment required to extract and process oil and gas. As part of ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency, reduce emissions and avoid the increasing maintenance costs associated with aging equipment, the platform operator was undertaking a planned gas turbine replacement programme.
After the existing gantry crane cradle was taken out of service, an alternative lifting solution was required to safely complete the turbine replacement works.
The Challenge
The project required the removal and installation of a gas turbine within a restricted lifting environment offshore.
With the existing gantry crane cradle condemned, the operator needed a reliable replacement solution capable of safely handling the turbine replacement while working within the available headroom constraints.
Key project considerations included:
- Restricted headroom within the lifting area
- Maintaining project schedules during planned maintenance
- Safe handling of critical turbine components
- Offshore operating conditions
- Replacement of condemned lifting equipment
The Solution
Red Rooster Lifting supplied a 6-tonne low headroom pneumatic air hoist and trolley on a short-term rental basis.
The low headroom design provided the necessary lifting capability while maximising the available lift height within the restricted working area. The pneumatic system was well suited to the offshore environment, delivering reliable performance throughout the turbine replacement operation.
The equipment was rapidly mobilised to ensure the customer could proceed with the planned maintenance programme without unnecessary delays.
The Outcome
The gas turbine replacement was completed successfully using the Red Rooster Lifting low headroom air hoist and trolley.
The performance of the rental equipment throughout the project demonstrated its effectiveness in carrying out the task, providing a practical and reliable alternative to the condemned gantry crane cradle.
Following the rental period, the customer chose to purchase the lifting equipment, establishing a permanent replacement supporting future maintenance activities on the platform.
Key Results
- Successful offshore gas turbine replacement
- Permanent replacement for condemned gantry crane cradle
- Reliable operation in a restricted headroom environment
- Rental solution converted into equipment sale
- Continued lifting capability for future maintenance activities