Crane Collapse on the Offshore Construction Barge LTS 3000 in Mumbai High

March 14, 2020 | Oil & Gas | Energy Facts Staff Writer | 3min

INCIDENT REPORT ONGC MUMBAI HIGH – INCIDENT DURING CLUSTER 8 JACKET D-30-2 INSTALATION

BARGE LTS 3000 BY LTHE

Incident on Barge LTS 3000 (Official No. 3775) on 08th March 2020 at 1630 hrs local time while she was carrying out offshore construction operations in Mumbai High (Lat 19 14.8 N Long 070 53 E). This Barge LTS 3000 is being used by LTHE for installation of ONGC’s Cluster 8 jacket # D-30-2, 4 legged at Mumbai High. While lifting and lowering the Jacket in water it was dropped with crane boom collapsing.

It is reported that LTS 3000 CRANE BOOM fell like bullets on main deck and nearby area. Main hoist, apparently brake failure. Wire broke into pieces along with few structure parts. Also backlash occurred reaching to the Barge helideck. Diving Supervisor from Advance Marine, RP Singh company, name Rajender reported as injured his leg broken. One other Pax (Offshore Construction Persons) also reported injured. Medivac of both the injured persons was carried out on 08th March 2020 at 1833 hrs LT through Helicopter. Both the injured persons were admitted in Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai, on 08th March 2020 at 2100 hrs and are undergoing treatment there.

 

Jacket is reported to be floating, secured by 2 Tugs. Barge LTS 3000 is in the Field and expected to be brought back to Mumbai Anchorage for Repairs.

LTS3000 is a first Indian flag, dual class (ABS & IRS) self-propelled offshore construction vessel built at ASL Shipyard, Singapore (Hull built in China).

Vessel is fitted with NOV Amclyde’s ‘PC-42 HVY’ fully revolving main crane having maximum lift capacity of 3000ST. The crane has 82 meter long boom. The main hook is capable of lifting 3000ST at 27 meter radius.

Going back on history of Barge LTS 3000, this vessel is jointly owned by L&T and Sapura as 60:40. During construction of this vessel, L&T insisted on buying the crane from source, what was installed in Sapura 3000 (Sapura’s other Vessel). It was said that Sapura was not happy with this decision but but that L&T did not take this into consideration. During MHN installation they were just lucky, wire came out of the drum, then it was replaced. Current flux causing all fuse burnt problem, right from the inception issues with the crane, major incident was waiting to happen.

LTHE is handling the installation campaign on their own without Sapura. The HLV is believed to be taken by LTHE on bare-boat charter from L&T – SAPURA JV (LTS) and Operations including Manning is by LTHE.

The Project is ONGC’s Cluster 8 Development, scope being:

  • Four Wellhead Platforms (B192-5A Bridge connected to existing B192-5, B192-10, D-30-2 and WO24-3) in water depth range 60 ~ 70 m
  • Clamp-on at B192-1
  • 9 segments of pipelines x 76 Kms,.
  • Associated modifications

LTHE was awarded this EPIC Contracts at approxi. US$ 223.29 million. Completion schedule is Platforms by May 2020 and rest of scope/final completion by Jan 2021.
This Jacket, D-30-2 is the first one to be taken up for Installation.

On March 11, 2020 night (Early hours of March 12, 2020), there were reports mentioning:

  • All PAX other than Marine crew were asked to evacuate the vessel
  • Jacket (floating in water) is constantly hitting the hull of LTS 3000.
  • Part of the Main hoist boom is outside the barge, hanging
  • Later, above emergency was called-off and the Offshore Team Pax were asked to re-board LTS 3000.