User approved

Four J D Neuhaus EH 60 air operated monorail hoists supplied for offshore BOP handling have completed 12 months satisfactory operation to customer requirements and have also passed their first annual inspection. These hoists were supplied and initially mounted in Norway by Westcon Løfteteknikk AS (WCL) at the Westcon yard, and were designated for eventual location on the Seadrill West Epsilon rig, which is classified as DnV, + 1A1 selfelevating mobile offshore unit.

The hoists, each providing a 60 tonne lift capacity, were required for the synchronised handling during both pre and post drilling operations of a new 120 tonne BOP unit supplied to the rig. Each hoist was fitted with load eyes instead of hooks, and provided a total lift height of 17.4 metres with four chain falls. They also provided a 0.5 metre/min lifting speed under full load, with a designed trolley speed of 12 metre/min for horizontal travel movements.