Girassol contract takes Bridon into new waters for polythene-sheathed wire ropes

Citation

(1999), "Girassol contract takes Bridon into new waters for polythene-sheathed wire ropes", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 51 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1999.01851aab.009

Girassol contract takes Bridon into new waters for polythene-sheathed wire ropes

Girassol contract takes Bridon into new waters for polythene-sheathed wire ropes

Keywords Bridon, Girassol

Bridon International, the Doncaster-based wire and wire rope manufacturer has been awarded the contract to supply cable for the world's largest FPSO. Mar Profundo Girassol, a joint venture between Bouygues SA and ETPM SA, has turned to Bridon to supply 102 mm spiral strand cable for production barge moorings in the Girassol oilfield, in 1360m water depth, off the coast of Angola, operated by Elf Exploration Angola.

In a contract worth nearly £4m, Bridon will be supplying 17 cables, each of 1.7km length, with a minimum breaking load of 960 tonnes. Long cable life expectancy, of 20 years, will be achieved thanks to corrosion preventing high-density polyethylene sheathing. The cable will be manufactured in single length pieces with end terminations fitted at Bridon's Carr Hill works. Production is scheduled to start this October and is due to be completed next June. Bridon regards offshore West Africa as a key area for business development. The company has presented a paper on mooring cables for floating production facilities at the Oil and Gas Developments in West Africa Conference, at the Dorchester Hotel, in September. The company's commitment to the technological development of its products and processes has benefited the oil sector, resulting in the development of stronger, lighter and longer ropes, which can withstand the rigours of the ocean environment, enabling explorers to tap into ever deepening waters.