Solutions
Heli Deck Skidding
Thunder Cranes was responsible for skidding a 120MT helideck structure backwards by 7 meters to clear sufficient space for drilling rig activities at an offshore platform in Malaysia.
The client targeted a new well position on their offshore platform and needed to perform drilling operations via a jack-up drilling rig. However, the precise location of the planned drilling activity sat directly under the platform’s existing helideck structure.
To overcome this obstacle without costly structural removal, the solution required extending the platform’s current skid beams so the helideck could be safely repositioned. Thunder Cranes was brought in to provide specialized helideck skidding capabilities, complete engineering surveys, and construct a comprehensive lift plan.
Key Project Details
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Location: Malaysia
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Application: Facilities Engineering
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Key Challenge: Safely repositioning a massive 120MT helideck structure backwards by 7 meters.
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Services Provided: Site survey, customized engineering design, and comprehensive lift plan.
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Primary Benefits: Delivered a significantly more cost-effective and safer solution compared to using alternative methods like a liftboat.
Execution & Strategic Delivery
To prevent operational delays and minimize offshore accommodation costs, the skidding sequence had to be completed within a strict timeline. Thunder Cranes executed a series of key steps:
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Site Survey & Lift Planning: Engineered the load paths, calculated structural tolerances, and verified skid beam extension integrity prior to physical movement.
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Skid Beam Extension: Prepared and aligned the existing platform skid beams to allow smooth linear travel of the helideck frame.
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Controlled Skidding Operations: Utilized specialized hydraulic skidding equipment to push the 120MT structure along the extended beam setup while maintaining structural balance.
Execution & Strategic Delivery
While the project plan allocated 1 day for the skidding operation to avoid excessive accommodation vessel costs and complex logistical coordination, Thunder Cranes executed the task far ahead of schedule:
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Target Allocation: 1 day
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Actual Execution Time: Less than 2 hours
Outcome
Thunder Cranes’ specialized expertise in offshore helideck skidding allowed the client to clear essential workspace at the valve head area for upcoming jack-up drilling operations. By successfully skidding the 120MT structure 7 meters backward in under 2 hours, the team delivered a highly efficient, safe, and cost-effective solution.
