Dropsa Solution for Marine&Offshore

DropsA Spa has developed several solutions for the lubrication of some of the main parts of platforms FPSO (Floating Production Storage Offloading) and FPO (Floating Production Offloading) according with the many strict specifications required by the sector Oil & Gas.

One of the main assemblies of a platform is the rotating turret, by which the platform is able to rotate during mooring. Most turrets are currently manufactured using bearings up to 8 meters. Due to high demand for faster oil extraction , vessel builders have to use bearings above 8 meters. Bearings above 8 meters diameter are hard to come by and can be very expensive. The new technology uses large diameter cylinders of approximately 20 meters. The cylinders are held in place by bogies. These bogies are lubricated with grease pads at both the radial and axial wheels.

Another very important element on the platform is the anchoring system, recently the subject of regulatory change, requiring the oil tank to be 1.5 miles away from the main platform. The FSO (Leonis) is able to attach directly onto the mooring system and it is able to transfer the oil constantly even in harsh sea conditions. The vessel is able to rotate around this pivot point and the arm is able to move up and down in accordance with the wave movements. There are 16 points in total of this system.

The DropsA designers have developed lubrication systems using the best of the technology produced by Dropsa. The systems include a pump ‘SUMO ATEX SS316’ placed in a cabinet that protects it from the external environment and from contact with the water. Thanks to its technical characteristics this pump is able to guarantee a maximum pressure of 400 bar. To maintain the level of precise lubrication at each point, DropsA mount a modular DMX Atex SS316 block available with fixed or adjustable flow rate.
Using the VIP5 Atex control panel patented DropsA, you can control all the parameters of the system and meet all the specifications while controlling costs.
DropsA, moreover, is also able to provide the necessary equipment to ensure uniform distribution of the lubricant on the guides.

The equipment can be made of 316 stainless steel that guarantees the integrity even for use in aggressive environments from the point of view of corrosion common in the marine sector. Our experience gained over the years allows DropsA engineers to assist and advise the customer from start to finish of the project, and if required, also the start up of the plant on site.