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6×31WS + IWR — 46 mm for offshore platform
6×31WS + IWR — 46 مم
Offshore Platform Pedestal Crane
We supplied main hoist and luffing ropes for a 100-ton offshore pedestal crane. The crane operates on the Ekofisk platform complex in the Norwegian North Sea. This is one of the world’s harshest marine environments. Temperatures drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Waves exceed 10 meters in winter storms. The 6×31WS+IWR offshore rope must perform flawlessly under these conditions. The platform handles critical oil and gas lifting operations 365 days a year. Each lift involves expensive subsea equipment.
The Challenge
The North Sea brings multiple extreme challenges. Temperatures drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius in winter. Salt spray is relentless year-round. Therefore, the rope must resist both freezing and corrosion simultaneously.
Moreover, wave heights regularly exceed 10 meters. Hurricane-force winds are common in winter months. For instance, the crane must lift loads while the platform moves with the waves. Dynamic loading stresses every wire in the rope structure.
Furthermore, DNV-ST-0378 certification is mandatory for all offshore lifting gear. API 2C compliance is also required. As a result, the operator needed a 6×31WS+IWR offshore rope with full traceability. One that could prove its performance with third-party certificates.
Our Solution
We supplied 6×31WS+IWR ropes with Arctic-grade lubrication. The lubricant is rated to minus 40 degrees Celsius. In addition, thick hot-dip galvanizing adds extra corrosion protection. This dual-layer defense is essential for North Sea conditions.
Furthermore, the IWR core provides dimensional stability under heavy compression. This is critical on the multi-layer winch drum. Each rope layer compresses the layers below it. Without a stable core, crushing damage occurs rapidly.
All ropes were certified to DNV-ST-0378 standards. Each delivery includes full material traceability and 3.1 certificates. Consequently, the operator could verify every production step. In addition, we maintain emergency replacement stock at the Stavanger supply base.
Results
Wear was under 2 percent at the 12-month MFL inspection. In fact, this is well within the 5 percent API discard threshold. The predictable wear curve allowed confident maintenance planning.
Moreover, zero lubrication issues occurred despite the Arctic temperatures. The Arctic-grade lubricant stayed effective through two full winter seasons. As a result, internal friction and wear remained minimal throughout the inspection cycle.
Finally, we are now a frame agreement supplier to the operator. Consequently, our 6×31WS+IWR offshore rope is specified for crane replacements across the entire Ekofisk complex.
