OilVoice - Offshore Solutions Wins GDF SUEZ 'Grand Prix de L'innovation' Award

Offshore Solutions Wins GDF SUEZ 'Grand Prix de L'innovation' Award

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Offshore Solutions B.V. (OSBV), market leader in the invention, development, manufacture and safe operation of the industry's most advanced marine access systems, is celebrating another significant achievement in the operation of the Offshore Access System (OAS*).

OSBV, together with GDF SUEZ E&P Nederland B.V., has been awarded the prestigious GDF SUEZ Grand Prix de L'innovation, in the category of 'Field Operations'.

High vessel operability and 100% OAS availability has resulted in significant cost savings on the annual maintenance expenditure on the GDF SUEZ Southern North Sea Assets.

The Grand Prix de L'innovation is awarded to companies that have demonstrated innovation, cost efficient solutions and a strong HSE performance, as well as bringing value to the GDF SUEZ Group.

OSBV's General Manager, Ian Sadler, said: 'This award is a testament to Offshore Access System being a game changing technology. Not only is it one of the safest and most efficient options for accessing offshore installations, but it is also cost effective.'

The OAS is mounted onboard the GDF SUEZ E&P Nederland B.V. (GSEPN) chartered vessel, REM Mermaid - a multi-purpose supply vessel, equipped with a class two dynamic positioning system - it is ideally suited to support the 24 tonnes OAS. In operation since February 2009 the OAS has achieved over 1,000 operational connections and transferred more than 10,000 personnel, without any LTIs.

Jan Treffers, Managing Director GDF SUEZ E&P Nederland B.V., expressed:
'We are proud to have won the Grand Prix in the Field Operations Category of the GDF SUEZ 2010 Innovations Trophies, which is considered a barometer for innovation within the Group. OAS is not new, but the way in which we apply it has proved to be successful and innovative."

* An OAS is a heave compensated telescopic gangway, enabling the safe transfer of personnel from a vessel to an offshore installation (wind turbine, oil or gas platform) designed to operate in 2.5 metre Hs (significant wave height) sea states.