• Thunder Cranes owns and operates a large fleet of portable-modular offshore cranes with self-lifting systems. Our specialised team provides engineering, deployment, assembly, operation and maintenance support for offshore lifting operations.
• Since 2011, Thunder Cranes has recorded more than 1.7 million LTI(Lost Time Injury)-free man-hours over 5,000 days of operations.
• Unlike our competitors, modular cranes are the sole focus of the company, therefore our crew is highly experienced and practiced in the specialty of engineering, preparation, deployment, assembly, operation and maintenance of just one service.
• The result is we provide the most efficient, most cost-effective and safest offshore crane rental operation in the business.

A modular crane installed on a fixed offshore platform can provide several advantages compared with using a crane mounted on a floating vessel, including:

1. Precision lifting
2. Cost efficiency
3. Reduced exposure to vessel motion
4. Potentially lower mobilisation requirements

Floating cranes and lift boats remain appropriate for many offshore applications. The most suitable lifting method depends on the project scope, load, reach, sea state, platform structure and operating requirements.

A modular crane may be required when:

• The existing platform crane is not operational.
• The existing platform crane has been de-rated and does not have sufficient lifting capacity.
• The existing platform crane does not have sufficient reach to access the lifting location.
• The platform has no crane and well intervention or facilities engineering work is required.
• A second crane is required to perform a tandem lift.

Yes. Our crane packages are designed with self-lifting capability, allowing our crew to assemble the crane even where no existing platform lifting capability is available.

In many cases, yes. Our engineering team can assess the available space through detailed drawings and, where required, a site inspection. We can then determine whether a suitable Thunder Crane can be installed safely within the available footprint.

Thunder Cranes’ modular design enables rapid installation, with a standard rig-up achievable within 8 to 12 working hours, subject to site conditions and project requirements.

Our cranes can be installed on a range of offshore platform configurations using methods such as clamping, bolting or welding, subject to engineering assessment and platform structural requirements. Clamping is often preferred because it can simplify installation and avoid hot work where the platform configuration permits.  We can safely secure cranes to a platform’s I-beams and/or main structure beams by using a clamp and stud-bolt system. This allows our cranes to be positioned quickly and efficiently, without affecting ongoing platform operations. Furthermore our clamping system allows for easy repositioning with minimal disruption to our lifting productivity.

Our fleet includes stiff-leg and pedestal cranes with lifting capacities that vary by crane model, configuration, operating radius and installation conditions. Refer to the applicable crane load chart for the rated capacity of each model:

1. The distance from the crane at which the load is lifted, which affects the boom angle and corresponding lifting capacity.
2. Sea and vessel conditions when lifting from a supply vessel.
3. The type and structural capacity of the platform on which the crane is installed.

Yes. Our offshore crane equipment is designed and manufactured in accordance with applicable API requirements. API Spec 2C, Offshore Pedestal-Mounted Cranes, establishes requirements for the design, construction and testing of offshore pedestal-mounted cranes. API RP 2D, Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Cranes, provides guidance for safe operation and maintenance.

Our cranes undergo inspection and testing in accordance with applicable API requirements and project procedures. A dynamic load test is conducted when required following rig-up, with the test method determined by the applicable crane, project and operating requirements. For temporary crane deployments, inspection and load testing are completed as required before the crane enters service.

• Platform Upgrades
• Platform Crane Changeout
• Production Module Installation and Removal
• Rigless Platform Decommissioning Support
• Lifting Support for Craneless Platforms
• Rigless Plug & Abandonment (P&A) Support
• Coiled Tubing Unit (CTU) Support
• Hydraulic Workover (HWO) / Snubbing Support
• Wireline / E-Line / Slickline Support
• Rigless Conductor Installation

Yes. Thunder Cranes can provide the operational, management, engineering and maintenance support required for 24-hour crane operations, subject to project requirements and crew arrangements.

Thunder Cranes provides trained and experienced personnel to operate and maintain its modular self-lifting cranes. These specialised operations require personnel with appropriate training, competence and experience.

1. Framing Drawing – Main Deck or Installation Deck
2. Elevation Drawing
3. Main Deck Layout
4. Client Equipment List, Including Weight, Dimensions and Layout Where Available

Following the site inspection, our engineering team will provide a report covering crane rig-up requirements, operating radius, lifting capacity and the method used to secure the crane to the offshore structure. Where applicable, the report will also provide crane reaction forces for assessment of the platform’s structural integrity.

A dynamic lift is a lifting operation where movement of the load, crane, vessel or surrounding environment can affect the forces acting on the lifting system.

For offshore lifts involving supply vessels, factors such as vessel motion, wave height, wind speed, crane movement, lifting speed, rigging arrangement and load characteristics can influence the dynamic forces.

These factors are considered when determining crane capacity, lift plans and safe operating procedures. For subsea lifting, additional forces can result from hydrodynamic effects as the load enters and moves through the water.

In accordance with API 2C, three methods are given for calculating the dynamic forces acting on a crane in a specified sea-state. The methods are:

1. Vessel-Specific Method
2. General Method
3. Default Dynamic Method

API 2C provides methods for calculating dynamic forces acting on offshore cranes for specified sea states. The methods include the Vessel-Specific Method, General Method and Default Dynamic Method.

The appropriate method depends on the crane installation, vessel/platform configuration and operating conditions. The Vessel-Specific Method is generally associated with cranes installed on vessels or floating platforms, while the General Method and, where permitted, the Default Dynamic Method may be applied to fixed-platform lifting operations.

The Default Dynamic Method has specific limitations and should only be used where the applicable API requirements and operating conditions permit it.

Certain Thunder Cranes pedestal crane configurations may be approved for personnel lifting, subject to the applicable crane certification, configuration, equipment and operating requirements. Personnel lifting is not currently available for Thunder Cranes stiff-leg crane models due to boom configuration limitations.

Personnel lifting must only be conducted where specifically approved and in accordance with applicable regulations, certification, lift plans and site procedures.