Offshore Helideck Service

Conbit activities

Engineering 

As a structural engineering company, Conbit’s engineers can design helidecks and adjust previous designs to customers’ specific requirements. This process starts with providing advice on the material to choose. Often, these choices are influenced by the type of helicopters in the area, the local rules and regulations, and the offshore unit’s design. Obviously, an FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading) has a different set of requirements than fixed and semi-submersible platforms.

Typical activities performed by the Conbit engineers include:

• Designing and engineering of helipads (pancakes) and support structures
• Calculating the deck interface
• Structural analysis for re-certification purposes

Procurement and installation 

Conbit does not manufacture parts of the helideck. However, it coordinates the procurement and manufacturing process. The procurement professionals select the right supplier and collaborate to get the best result. They try to minimize the number of sub-contractors to avoid interface risks. 

The supply can be:

• Incorporated into the design and supply contract
• Performed on a “cost plus fee” basis
• Quoted after the design has been optimized.

As a special lifting expert, Conbit also takes on the challenge of installing the helideck on the offshore unit. This can be done in the yard or on the open sea. They will find the safest, most cost, and time-efficient installation method. Their added value is most significant where installation does not involve large cranes or crane vessels. Conbit’s temporary lifting systems operated by lift winches provide the flexibility often needed in offshore and remote locations.

Advantages 

Often, an operator of an offshore unit selects a supplier to engineer and supply the helideck. The main advantage of Conbit is that it is not restricted to its own product line. The end user's specific requirements are translated into a cost-efficient but reliable helideck concept. During the design and engineering phase, choices were made concerning the material (steel or aluminum) and accessories.

Conbit has long relationships with its key suppliers, which are mainly western European manufacturers and component suppliers from around the world. Their involvement does not stop after delivering the helideck (and support frame) to the quayside. Conbit’s transport and installation team will coordinate the transport to the offshore facility anywhere in the world. It can be supplied at a yard and directly at the offshore asset. Depending on the destination, the right transport modality is chosen, the sea fastening is engineered, and the transport company is selected. After the customs formalities are completed, the helideck will be delivered to the client.

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