Case Study: Seabulk Africa Supply Vessel

Location: Abu Qir Naval Port, Alexandria, Egypt

Operator: BP Egypt

During a scheduled visit to the Abu Qir Naval Port, Sureclean were commissioned to carry out the removal of Oil Based mud from 10 mud/brine tanks onboard the Seabulk Africa and subsequently clean all tanks to brine standard.

Sureclean Scope

Technical Challenge

Implementing a Safe System of Work which incorporated minimal man entry.  A specially designed tool was manufactured on site in order to modify an existing tool due to the awkward angle of the tank and location of the tank entry point.

Restrictions / Considerations

• Hazardous Environment - Confined Space Entry Working, access and egress.
• Implementing a safe system of work minimising man entry.
• Introduced vacuum transfer methods for the removal of all solids, thus eliminating the risks associated with manual handling.
• Transfer and containment of all waste.
• Alternating between vessels due to drilling operations.

Key Facts

• Project completed without safety or environmental incident.
• Involved 25 Sureclean personnel, dayshift and nightshift working.
• Commendations received from the client which resulted in Sureclean being awarded additional work scopes from client on several vessels. 
• Removal of a total of 199 tonnes of mud.

Additional Information

The normal hazards associated with such a project was heightened by the complexity of the tank entry point. However the use of of vacuum transfer technology enabled the project to be completed both safely and effciently, significantly reducing the requirement for man-entry and associated manual handling risks.