During the 2021 INPEX turnaround, Vertech was the contractor of choice to replace the flare tip on the Ichthys Venturer FPSO (Floating Production and Offloading Facility). Our scope included the installation of a custom-designed Conbit supplied flare tip lifting system built around the 3.2ton flare tip at an elevation of 176m. Our team of highly skilled IRATA rope access tradespersons coordinated between the deck level and flare tip to safely lift, construct, and install the lifting system – 2,600 individual components
Ichthys Venturer FPSO Flare Tip Replacement
Offshore, the Vertech team successfully navigated the complexity of the sea state and vessel movement, working within strict parameters to execute the main lifts to remove and replace the flare. Throughout the project, our teams safely ascended and descended a combined 300km and effectively managed over 3,500 potential dropped objects.
Pre-Mobilisation Training
As part of the project preparations, the INPEX project team arranged a replica of the flare tip platform in Darwin. It provided access to the capital spare flare tip for training purposes. This allowed our team to not only intimately understand the construction and use of the lifting system but also to come together and form one high-performing team before mobilising offshore for the turnaround.
INPEX’s detailed planning and early engagement formed the foundations for the successful delivery of this project. This foresight ensured a comprehensive and shared understanding of the project’s specifics and unique challenges while aligning all parties on the safest and most efficient methodology to complete the scope. Thanks to the INPEX team for this level of engagement and for supporting the pre-mobilisation mock-up training.
Flare Tip Replacement
Our team of highly skilled IRATA rope access tradespersons co-ordination between the deck level and flare tip to safely lift, construct and install the lifting system, which comprised 2,600 individual components in total. Offshore, the Vertech team navigated the complexity of sea state, wind, and vessel movement, working within strict parameters to successfully execute the main lifts to remove and replace the flare. Throughout the project, our teams safely ascended and descended a combined 300km and effectively managed over 3,500 potential dropped objects, delivering the scope on time, on budget and most importantly, with a perfect safety record.
INPEX Corporate HSE Award
Following the successful execution of this scope, the Vertech Flare Tip Replacement Team were honoured to receive a prestigious Corporate HSE Activity Award from the INPEX executive. Vertech’s Onshore & Projects Manager Adam Haling and Managing Director Tom Brennan attended the awards ceremony at INPEX Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, to show their dedication and commitment to safety and to accept the awards in person.
The successful and safe execution of the flare tip is further built upon the strong relationships Vertech and INPEX have established. Our Inpex journey commenced in 2015 with the baseline hull structural inspection contract award. This contract saw Vertech’s marine inspectors working closely with INPEX throughout the construction phase in South Korea. Our relationship strengthened, and the scope of services expanded as the INPEX assets arrived in Australian waters and transitioned into operations. We now provide a comprehensive array of inspection and integrity services across the INPEX facilities, along with specialist maintenance work and shutdown support.
In the spirit of collaboration and teamwork, and to show our gratitude for INPEX’s support in our collective pursuit of safety excellence, Vertech presented a unique gift to INPEX’s Takahiko Ikeda (Director, Senior Executive Vice President) and Wataru Nojiri (Executive Officer). Our gift incorporated framed project images and a woven djeng (fish) from Darwin’s traditional custodians, the Larrakia people, which is symbolic of the word Ichthys.
The Djeng was purchased from Darwin’s Aboriginal Bush Traders.
