A long-term rental project with CBO Group, operating for Petrobras in Brazil, demonstrated the successful integration of specialised cutting technology within a flexible subsea operation. The scope required the reliable cutting of large-diameter mooring chain, with link diameters of up to 120 mm, under significant tension.

The solution centred on the deployment of two C1-16UL Chopsaws. A custom-designed ROV skid eliminated the need for crane deployment, delivering a significant operational advantage. The equipment consistently achieved clean cuts in under 30 minutes, with operational data showing an impressive average cut time of just 18 minutes.

This project validated the system’s ability to deliver rapid, high-tension cutting capability, which is essential for efficient mooring maintenance and recovery in deepwater environments. Deployment was carried out using topside processing powered by a hydraulic power unit (HPU). On average, each cut was completed within one hour, with between five and ten cuts achieved per blade, demonstrating the tool’s efficiency and reliability.