Reliable cable guidance for pipe-laying towers and tensioners

• What was needed: E4.1 series energy chain as a pre-assembled readychain® system
• Requirements: We were looking for a robust energy supply with a low dead weight that can be used on the high seas.
• Industry: Offshore
• Success for the customer: An E4.1 energy chain made of plastic keeps the overall weight comparatively low and carries the high loads on and around the tower. Designed as a prefabricated readychain®, the installation of the chain was significantly accelerated.

The J-Lay Tower on this pipe-laying vessel required a secure cable supply to the laying tower itself, but also to individual components such as the tensioners (tensioning devices) or the welding systems.
Particularly at the hinge point at the base of the pipe laying tower, a large number of heavy cables had to be routed vertically and safely to the tensioners and other equipment.
In addition to a durable and robust cable routing system that could safely support and move the heavy cable weights, a solution that was as compact and lightweight as possible was also required. The low dead weight of the solution meant that the overall weight could be kept manageable - a factor that also has an impact on the flexibility of the tower and its energy consumption.

High robustness, a compact solution but also the lowest possible dead weight: with plastic-energy chain from our E4.1 series, we were able to offer the customer a customised solution. The energy chains with different external dimensions are used at the pivot point and within the tower, as well as on the four tracks of the tensioning devices for pre-tensioning the cables and pipes. The largest cable guide, for example - an E4.350 - was installed at the foot of the laying tower.
The polymer material from which the cable guide is made is not only designed for extreme additional weights, but is also comparatively lightweight. It is also absolutely corrosion-free - ideal for use in offshore environments.
In order to be able to start work quickly and not lose any valuable time, the energy chain was delivered as a readychain® system, which means that all cable guides have already been fitted with the necessary cables and the assembly time can be reduced by up to 95 %.