C1 Chop Saw –
FPSO Decommissioning

Decom Engineering was engaged as the sole cutting contractor for the decommissioning of the Petronas Chinguetti FPSO. The scope of work included cutting a variety of materials, including 508mm OD x 40mm WT X70 steel pipes, Duplex 152mm and 254mm OD x 38mm WT inner pipes with HD Polyurethane filler, and static infield control umbilicals. The project was executed in challenging conditions, with water depths ranging from 900 to 1000 meters. The deployment method involved ROV work packs using hot stabs, allowing for precise subsea operations. The average cut times were highly efficient: 30 minutes for termination heads, 3 minutes for 84mm mooring chains, and just 2 minutes for umbilicals. The C1-24 chopsaw, used for this project, achieved 3 to 5 cuts per blade, demonstrating its durability and efficiency in demanding conditions.

Decom Engineering provided a full equipment and service solution tailored to the project’s complex requirements. The solution included comprehensive project management, the deployment of in-house technicians with specialized expertise, and logistics management to ensure seamless operation.

The equipment provided included ROV-operated hot stabs and additional buoyancy and handling tools sourced from trusted partners through cross-hire agreements. This collaboration ensured that all necessary tools and support systems were in place to execute the work efficiently.

The project was completed ahead of schedule, with over 100 cuts made, significantly reducing vessel time and associated costs for the client. Decom Engineering’s ability to deliver reliable, high-performance cutting solutions in challenging deep-water environments underscored the success of this decommissioning project.