(WO) — Maritime Developments Ltd. (MDL) has completed a deepwater subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) decommissioning campaign in Brazil’s Campos basin, recovering infrastructure associated with a decommissioned FPSO.
The campaign was carried out approximately 250 km east of Rio de Janeiro from a multipurpose vessel already under charter by the field operator. The scope included recovery of flexible flowlines, umbilicals and jumpers, with MDL providing the back-deck equipment spread, engineering services and offshore personnel.
The project followed an earlier feasibility and front-end engineering design (FEED) study by MDL to determine whether the operator’s existing vessel could perform the decommissioning work. The study assessed recovery methods, product top-tension requirements, reel capacity, deck layout and preliminary structural requirements.
For offshore execution, MDL deployed its Wheeled Horizontal Lay System (WHLS-02), 110-metric-ton tensioner, Generation 3 Reel Drive System, FRN-150 offshore winch and offshore-rated reels. The equipment was mobilized in Brazil and operated by MDL personnel from Brazil and the UK.
The WHLS uses a wheeled overboarding arrangement designed to reduce the capstan effect during deepwater SURF retrieval. According to MDL, the configuration enabled a single high-capacity tensioner to handle recovery loads of up to 105 metric tons.
“This project progressed from an early feasibility study through to offshore execution, allowing MDL to support the client throughout the full project lifecycle,” said Yuri Mendes Martins, MDL Brazil country manager.
Martins said deploying MDL’s portable equipment aboard the client-selected vessel reduced reliance on specialized construction tonnage and provided greater flexibility over project schedules and costs.
The campaign adds to MDL’s subsea decommissioning work in Brazil as operators address a growing inventory of mature offshore infrastructure.
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