SpinPods speed pipe loading and increase safety  

Verton’s SP30 Rotational Control Stabiliser for Spreader Bars Succeeds in Woodside’s Subsea Pipe-Laying Project.

Verton’s innovative crane spreader bar stabilisation and rotational control technology successfully completed the task set by Spliethoff Group in their pipe lifting operations for Woodside’s $12.5 billion Scarborough Energy Project. Woodside Energy is developing the Scarborough natural gas field, located in the Carnarvon Basin, approximately 375 km off the coast of Western Australia (WA).

Twelve of Verton’s gyroscopic SP30 SpinPods were fitted to six automated pipe spreaders to control and maintain the orientation of the pipes during loading from the Port of Batam, Indonesia, to the hold of the three supply vessels. They were used again during the transfer of the pipes from the three Spliethoff B type vessels to a Spliethoff D type vessel while out at sea. Over 250km of 12m long pipeline sections were lifted in more than 15,000 lifting operations, with no lost time injuries.

The SpinPods fitted to the pipe spreaders manufactured by RAM Spreaders allowed Spliethoff to execute these lifting operations with no taglines and no hands-on deck or in the hold. The number of personnel required for lifting was reduced by 60%, and the planned transfer rate of 100 pipes per 6 hour shift was exceeded by 40%. Spliethoff was able to successfully fulfil its obligation to Woodside, reaching the required target for lifting operations without the use of taglines. By keeping the crew away from the pipeline sections during lifting, and aligning pipeline sections with the ship automatically, the SP30’s contributed to improved safety and reduced cycle time.

Verton CEO, Stan Thomson said, “We appreciate Spliethoff and Woodside providing us with an opportunity to demonstrate the safety and productivity that Verton’s stabilisation and rotational control technology can bring to a major offshore lifting operation. Building on the success of the twelve Verton SP30s supplied for Spliethoff, we are currently working on opportunities for improving productivity and safety by controlling spreaders for other major lifting operations. We look forward to working with Spliethoff, RAM Spreaders and Woodside in other projects”. ​ ​

The SP30’s use gyroscopic technology to control the rotation of crane lifting beams and spreader bars, improving safety and reducing costs in lifting operations. Verton has specifically targeted the maritime industry as the priority market, due to the danger and expense of lifting while at sea. Verton is also targeting the offshore oil and gas, infrastructure, mining, energy and construction industries.

Verton is an Australian company established in 2014 and headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland. Verton has developed an innovative range of gyroscopic spreader bar orientation products with a global distribution network. Verton’s product focus is providing spreader bar stabilisation and control solutions for complex lifting operations such as loading and offloading for vessels at ocean ports, offshore oil & gas, offshore pipelaying, and any lifting operation that can benefit from reduced cycle times and improved safety.