THREE60 Energy designed and manufactured a Deepwater Lowering System (DLS) for Subsea 7, supporting the Chevron-operated Gorgon Project off the northwest coast of Western Australia.
Deployed from the pipelay and heavy-lift vessel Sapura 3000, the system was designed to lower subsea structures weighing up to 950 tonnes in water depths of 1,300 metres.
Challenge
The project required a specialist handling system capable of safely deploying extremely heavy subsea structures in deepwater conditions.
Alongside the required load capacity and deployment depth, the system needed to provide controlled handling, operational redundancy and efficient mobilisation onto the installation vessel.
Solution
THREE60 engineered a bespoke DLS comprising two double-drum traction and storage winches, connected to a deepwater lowering beam and connector.
Each winch set was equipped with a dedicated hydraulic power unit, while fully redundant and modular control systems provided greater control and operational assurance during offshore deployment.
The complete system was mounted on an integrated grillage structure, enabling rapid mobilisation onto the Sapura 3000 for offshore operations.
Result
The DLS provided Subsea 7 with the specialist capability required to deploy subsea structures of up to 950 tonnes at depths of 1,300 metres on the Gorgon Project.
Combining high-capacity load handling with redundant controls and a rapidly deployable configuration, the system provided a purpose-built solution for safe and controlled deepwater installation.
