Hatenboer-Water FPSO Pioneiro de Libra.
OGI: In terms of water treatment, what are
the different water related issues that arise, for
example on an FPSO, compared to a standard
oil rig?
Heijnen: This is an interesting question, as
basically there is no difference. At least not in
the sense of water quality for the drinking water.
After all, the quality of the water should be good
and safe to use regardless of the vessel or rig
you are operating. Strangely enough, the quality
aspect is regularly overlooked in specifications
and it is often only referred to as ‘meeting WHO
standards’. The difference between ‘standard’
systems and ‘high spec’ systems therefore, is
often more related to specs such as general
piping, electrical and control requirements,
rather than the actual design parameters
influencing the output water quality. Hatenboer-
Water will therefore always check and if needed
comment on any issues that might have an
influence on the water quality itself within a
specification. Besides drinking water, water
make-up for technical and process applications
(hull and topside) can vary widely, purely
depending on the requirements of the processes
that have use for this water. In general one can
state that the more complex a vessel or rigs is,
the more elaborate the overall specifications are.
This also applies on the water treatment systems
ranging from the large water makers down to
the relatively small dosing pumps.
OGI: Of your many solutions, which ones are
the most needed in climates such as the Middle
East, and why?
Heijnen: Middle Eastern water is notorious for
its very high salinity. TDS can go up to 45,000
ppm in some cases. Such high TDS combined
with sea water temperature as high as 38 deg
C during summer can create quite troubling
issues for the systems if they are not properly
designed. Moreover, the systems also should
be designed in such a way that it can withstand
an ambient temperature as high as 50 deg C
and very high humidity conditions. These
conditions ask special attention, not only for
the specific design of the water production but
also for the choice of materials used throughout
the vessel and the layout of the piping system.
Additionally it requires a very good risk analysis
and management plan to maintain of healthy
water supply on board, as the outside conditions
are ideal for growth of pathogens. For example
the potentially lethal Legionella Pneumophila
bacteria can multiply rapidly when
temperatures are between 25 - 55 degrees
Celsius. Considering the scarcity of good
quality fresh water, the major requirements
in this market would be desalination systems
designed for highly challenging ambient
conditions.
OGI: Could you talk about the importance of
certification in your work, such as ATEX, for
example?
Heijnen: Complying to very high safety
standards is a minimum requirement to
provide systems to many offshore platforms/
fields. Considering the potentially explosive
atmospheres in the production platforms,
total compliance is not something where
the suppliers can deviate with. Hatenboer-
Water with proven experience supplying
ATEX systems for hazardous zones/areas is
well equipped to face these challenges. Our
well designed ATEX systems fully complying
to Zone 2, Zone 1 and Zone 0 requirement
would ensure a safe working place for the
workers and the environment.
OGI: Do you offer customised solutions? And
if so, how does that whole process work?
Heijnen: In addition to our standard water
maker series, UV disinfection and dosing
system which enables us to provide quick
delivery and solution support, Hatenboer-
Water can provide customised solutions as
per our clients requirements. Once the
requirement is gathered, a solution will be
designed matching your quantity/quality
requirements, space available, ambient
conditions etc. The solution will be discussed
with the client and any changes will be made
if required after consulting. A final techno-
commercial proposal will be submitted
once the client is in full agreement with the
design offered. Our organisation and working
procedures are closely monitored by our
internal auditing committee and validated
by Lloyds. As a family business operating
since 1906, we are proud to be the solid water
solution provider we are today.
OGI: Finally, could you enlighten our readers
of a case study where you helped a client with
your solutions?
Heijnen: It is always interesting talking about
big projects when asked this. For example a
complex project such as Culzean, where we
have been involved in supplying the drinking
water treatment for both FPSO and the living
quarters, interacting with the EPC, ship yards,
outside consultants, FPSO owner and the oil
company. But, sometimes the small projects
with specific requests are just as fascinating.
For example we have been discussing
solutions providing drinking water to usually
unmanned platforms for wind energy projects.
This situation provides unique challenges such
as high elevation to lift the sea water, rough sea
conditions and the fact that the equipment is
only needed on those sudden and scheduled
instances someone is required on board. For
projects like this, we engage all our disciplines
to come up with not only a technical suitable
solution, but also one that can ensure a good
quality of drinking water in all conditions.
One should be aware that water is a living
organism.
OGI: Thank you for your time. •
If you would like to know more about the
solutions discussed in this article please
contact:
Hatenboer-Water BV
T: +31 (0)10 409 12 00
W: https://www.hatenboer-water.com
E: [email protected]
Hatenboer-Water Standard water maker series.
23