Shell contracts pile swager for gulf platforms

Shell Offshore Inc. has leased two new 84-in. pile swaging tools for installation of a number of platforms in the Gulf of Mexico from November 1997 through September 1998. The tools were built and leased by the U.K. unit of Oil States Industries Inc., Arlington, Tex., based in Barrow-in-Furness. The photograph shows one of the tools on test before delivery to the gulf last month. Shell will use the tools to install new platforms including: Salsa on Garden Banks Block 172B, Spirit on Viosca

Nov. 17, 1997

84-inch Pile Swaging Tool

Shell Offshore Inc. has leased two new 84-in. pile swaging tools for installation of a number of platforms in the Gulf of Mexico from November 1997 through September 1998.

The tools were built and leased by the U.K. unit of Oil States Industries Inc., Arlington, Tex., based in Barrow-in-Furness. The photograph shows one of the tools on test before delivery to the gulf last month.

Shell will use the tools to install new platforms including: Salsa on Garden Banks Block 172B, Spirit on Viosca Knoll 780, and Cinnamon on Green Canyon 89.

Water depths in these fields are 670-720 ft. The tools each weigh 90 metric tons and will be deployed by the Challenger crane barge to form a pile-to-jacket connection with grouting.