Confined-space cleaning of flooded spud cans on a jack-up rig in Rotterdam – approx. 60 m³ of seabed mud and sand removed using vacuum transfer, waste skips and BA entry, with the scope finished three days early and delivered under tight safety and environmental controls.
Sector: Offshore drilling / shipyard
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Client: International drilling contractor (anonymised)
Services: Confined-space tank cleaning, vacuum transfer, waste skip management, BA entry, waste handling
Overview
During yard stay in Rotterdam, a jack-up rig was found to have two spud cans flooded with seabed mud and sand. If left in place, the material could affect structural integrity and future operations.
The contractor needed the waste removed quickly, safely and under strict confined-space controls while the rig remained on schedule.
Sureclean mobilised a specialist confined-space and tank-cleaning team, using a bespoke vacuum transfer and waste skip package to remove around 60 m³ of waste in just seven days – completing the job three days ahead of plan.
The Challenge
Key risks and requirements:
- Two spud cans on opposite sides of the semi-submersible contaminated with seabed mud/sand
- Need to protect can integrity and prepare for future operations
- Confined-space entry with vertical lifts of over 30 metres
- Requirement for continuous BA cover and rescue capability
- Efficient transfer of heavy waste from tanks to quayside waste systems, without creating additional manual handling hazards
Sureclean’s Solution
Sureclean deployed a five-person specialist team, trained in Emergency Response Team (ERT) duties and confined-space / tank entry (CSE), along with dedicated equipment:
- Vacuum transfer and waste skip setup
- Vacuum unit positioned beside each spud can
- Vacuum-rated skips connected via a 4″ hose lowered into the tank and tied off
- Two technicians at a time entered the can under BA to move waste towards the suction point
- Efficient waste logistics
- Once filled, skips were transported to the quayside where the port owners emptied them using a vac truck
- Skips were then returned to the worksite for continuous rotation
- Each skip carried a mix of heavy waste and wash water; washings were skimmed into totes and emptied by the port owners for compliant disposal
- Safety-first confined-space regime
- Full BA, rescue equipment and standby rescue team maintained throughout
- Clear communications and tight permit-to-work controls between rig, yard and Sureclean crew
Results
The operation delivered:
- Approx. 60 m³ of waste removed over a seven-day period – averaging 8.6 m³ per 12-hour shift
- Full cleaning of both spud cans, removing seabed mud/sand and protecting asset integrity
- Scope completed three days earlier than planned, reducing time in yard and associated costs
- Safe execution with no incidents and full environmental control over all washings and waste streams
The drilling contractor recognised that Sureclean’s expert confined-space entry team, efficient waste-transfer setup and strong safety culture were key to solving the problem quickly and reliably.
What this shows about Sureclean
This project shows how Sureclean’s engineered confined-space cleaning capability supports critical drilling assets:
- Combining vacuum transfer, waste skips and BA entry to handle heavy, awkward waste safely
- Delivering fast, predictable turnarounds that protect tight shipyard schedules
- Embedding safety and innovation in everyday industrial cleaning – turning a high-risk, messy problem into a controlled, efficient operation.
