As global demand for crude oil continues, ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations remain an essential link in the energy supply chain and associated industries. These operations do however present unique challenges, including the potential for spills and physical risk
to personnel during transfer as well as damage to the transfer equipment itself. Whilst such risks to the crew, environment and equipment assets have always existed and been managed within the framework of OCIMF guidelines, the global STS market has expanded significantly over the course of this century. New offshore locations and new jurisdictions have opened up for this service, and many new entrants have begun to operate within them.
Modern offshore STS operations strive for continuous improvement within risk management, looking to deliver tangibly safer and more sustainable practices. This has been the driver of the adaptation by global STS service provider Safe STS of technological capabilities which can typically be seen in such sectors as LNG ship-to-ship operations.
Already Adopted and In Service
Already successfully integrated into hundreds of offshore STS operations and mandated by a growing number of jurisdictions and oil majors, the Protected Transfer System (PTX) is a joint development between Safe STS and Gall Thomson. Pooling the marine experience of Safe STS across thousands of such operations since 2009 and the engineering expertise of Gall Thomson world-famous for its Field Verified Marine Breakaway Coupling technology, the PTX represents a significant advancement in the safe handling of crude oil transfer at sea.
Zero-Spill Design
The PTX’s cutting-edge sealing mechanisms instantly close during a breakaway, creating a tight seal to prevent crude oil from escaping. This guarantees a no-spill environment, aligning with stricter global environmental standards and protecting marine ecosystems.
Quick and Simple to Integrate
At its core, the PTX ensures safe, rapid, on-demand remote disconnection during the side-by-side transfer of crude oil. It is speedily and easily integrated into existing STS systems and processes. The PTX Release is mobilised on its own lightweight skid and installed within a few minutes via straightforward ratchet camlocks between the transfer hose and the vessel manifold. Its transportability significantly enhances ease of cross-operational use, whilst also allowing for permanent deck installation where desired due to its compact on-deck footprint.
Speedy and Safe to Activate and Reset
In emergency scenarios, the PTX ensures a rapid, on-demand release which is activated remotely through a Reflex High-Pressure Unit (HPU). This deck control minimizes the potential for environmental damage, shortens response times in critical situations, and keeps all personnel at a safe distance. It also prevents hose rupture or manifold damage during unintentional breakaway events.
Delivering Commercial Benefits On Top
There are not simply safety and environmental benefits here: the PTX also protects high-value transfer assets – equipment which would take considerable trouble and expense to replace, with all the associated operational downtime on top of the intrinsic cost of equipment substitution. The deployment of the PTX allows for the swiftest possible resumption of operations after activation, using
all the same equipment.
Once activated, the PTX can be reset within around 30 minutes – so well within the time window for restart of operations once separation has been deemed necessary and it has been activated. Whilst the PTX delivers greater operator safety and stakeholder peace of mind from the first day of integration, it will also very likely pay for itself the first time its button is ever pressed.
Industry Implications
By addressing the three pillars of maximising operational efficiency as well as ensuring personnel safety and environmental protection, the PTX represents a step-change in the risk profile of the STS lightering of crude oil – whilst also delivering commercial return on investment when activated. It uses existing, proven, easily integrated technology to make operations safer.
It has already been adopted / mandated by high-profile stakeholders within the industry and is now set to roll out globally via Safe STS. With the development of this failsafe release, Safe STS and Gall Thomson have together not only advanced maritime safety but have also set a Q2 21st century benchmark for the responsible handling at sea of crude oil.
Source: Safe STS Ltd.