A joint industry project on jacking system maintenance and inspection has resulted in a new DNV GL Recommended Practice. This provides guidance to ensure the correct and safe functioning of rack and pinion style jacking systems. The objective is to reduce the risk of gear failure, resulting in lower costs and higher availability throughout the asset’s life time.

The consequences of jacking gear failure can be severe and, while the problem is acknowledged by the industry, the correct maintenance and inspection of the jacking systems have proven to be challenging due to the high turnover of people with specific knowledge on board, the evolving nature of the systems and the intermittent use of the systems.

To address this industry challenge, DNV GL has during the past year collaborated in a Joint Industry Project (JIP) with the owners Rowan Drilling, Seadrill, Prospector Drilling, Noble Drilling and UAE’s National Drilling Company, the recently merged service suppliers Energy Service International and WillTeco and vendor Cameron Letourneau to come up with practical guidance for the jack-up industry.

Tags: DNV GL Oil & Gas