World’s largest capacity crane flexes its muscles in Texas
ALE has used the 354,000te/m high capacity and long outreach of the worlds largest capacity land based crane to lift the first of three modules on top of the offshore topside for an oil and gas project in Texas, USA.
The three modules, weighing a combined total up to 6,614t (7,290 US t with block and tackle included), are being lifted using ALE’s unique AL.SK350 crane for the project in Ingleside.
As the crane can lift from one position, this is the ideal solution for working in the congested site and significant time is saved by not needing to relocate the crane for every lift, as would have been the case with other ring cranes.
The AL.SK350 has been rigged with a 124m (406ft) main boom, and 49m (160ft) ballast radius, along with a heavy winch system and 4,000t (4,409 US t) ballast.
The heater module, weighing a combined total of approximately 1,200t (1,322 US t), is the first of three modules ALE is contracted to lift from the yard to the offshore topside. The installation outreach was 63.1m (207.021ft).
“Our AL.SK350 is the only crane on the market to lift this weight at such a long outreach. The project really showcases the capabilities of the AL.SK350 to perform some of the world’s heaviest ever crane lifts in such a congested site,” explained Filippo Anello, ALE – Global Projects Division Director. “As there was minimal space to position the crane, it could only be rigged in one location to perform all of the lifts – making the AL.SK350 the ideal piece of equipment.”
In order to avoid delays to the overall offshore topside, these lifts will act as a trial to ensure they fit and the topside is pre-commissioned when installed with a new heavylift vessel off the coast of Israel.
The first three modules are being lifted throughout November and December, with the removal of the three modules in the second quarter of 2019.
