Strainstall Supplies Load Pins for Shell Stones Offshore Project

Load pin supplier Strainstall UK Ltd will work alongside SBM Offshore, a leader in floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) systems, on the prestigious Shell Stones project, an ultra-deep oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico.

The FPSO on the project has a forward mounted turret with a disconnectable buoy (also known as a buoyant turret mooring or BTM) allowing it to weathervane in normal conditions and disconnect from the FPSO upon the approach of a hurricane so that the FPSO can sail to a safer area.

The unique BTM design required six specially designed load pins, manufactured by Strainstall, to measure the forces between the buoy and the FPSO. The challenging technical requirements of the pin meant Strainstall were contracted to produce an unusual-shaped design which was ATEX and IECEx certified with internal amplifiers to monitor the clamping forces between the vessel and the detachable buoy.

The Shell Stones project is currently operating at approximately 2,900 metres below the surface.