PODx: Powered Offshore Disconnect For FPSO/Conventional Tankers

Quick and safe mooring release OCIMF COMPLIANT

Gall Thomson release fasteners for Oil and Gas applications are capable of releasing loads of up to 1,400 Tonnes
and have been proven in service since 2006.

Background The cost-effective PODx will therefore enhance the Applications

Conventional Tankers (CTs) loading from FPSO/FSOs
are commonly moored in the predominant wind and
current via mooring hawser secured by a chain stopper.
Various HAZOPs have identified significant risks
of serious injury or damage to capital equipment
on board the FPSO/CT in relation to mooring related
emergency situations.
overall safety of the terminal by providing the operator
with a controllable and safe release of the mooring
hawser in case of emergency.
Release of the moorings when it matters
PODx provides an identified safe parting point in the
mooring line which can be released under full load.
This is done remotely and safely in a controlled manner.
PODx is suitable for FPSO/FSO and Conventional
Tankers and the size of the blocks and the release
bolt will vary depending on the application.
System applications
• Quick release mooring hawser for FPSO/FSO.
• Quick release mooring hawsers for CTs.

Mooring system failure is not uncommon and
safeguards should be in place to mitigate the
consequences of such failures.
Emergency scenarios where mooring hawsers must
be released from the FPSO or CT should be taken
into account. PODx can quickly and safely release, via
hydraulic signal, the mooring hawsers under full load.
The release bolt included within the blocks of the PODx • Emergency towing, release.
will separate on demand; allowing the link to reliably • FPSO reel integrated PODx.
release in under 10 ms at tensile loads above the yield
• FPSO heading control.
point of the shackles.
• FPSO station keeping.

Minimising risk of personnel injury and

damage to FPSO/CT
CTs moored to FPSOs are held back in a tandem
configuration with a holdback tug to prevent CTs
from fishtailing and “jack knifing”.

Adverse weather conditions and also tanker

mis-manoeuvring may require offshore personnel
to release mooring hawsers under full load to prevent
the CT from impacting the FPSO or supporting vessels.
The release of the mooring hawser can be achieved
safely and quickly with a PODx from the FPSO or the
CT (if the CT is also fitted with a PODx). 250 Tonnes PODx with load monitoring shackle in West Africa

P2 Gall Thomson PODx: Powered Offshore Disconnect

OCIMF Typical Tandem Offloading Equipment Layout

PODx quick and safe mooring release on FPSO and conventional tanker
• Load monitoring.
F(P)SO • Remote and local release.
CONVENTIONAL • Maintenance free for long period.
TANKER
Fairlead with sufficient • Smooth and quick commissioning process
internal clearance for the
hawser thimble and shackle Chafing chain with no welding of special adaptor plate.
export vessel end
Chafing chain
F(P)SO
Hawser Chain stopper
winch Thimble E-Type
both ends
lP
 rotects FPSO and CT
lP
 rotects personnel
Non-sparking fairlead Mooring winch
lining as requested Tandem mooring lS
 aves the expense of mooring
hawser Mooring hawser line change
Hose and hawser handling line
handling crane lE
 nhances the safety of your workforce
Lease automatic Cargo hose
Cargo
custody transfer
hose
support platform lP
 revents costly system damage
meter
reel Cargo hose lM
 inimises tanker/terminal downtime
floating type
lA
 verts negative media attention
Export line Cargo hose
support platform lE
 nables lower insurance premiums
Power operated Cargo hose lM
 aximises terminal integrity
isolation valve flanged connection
Emergency lP
 rovides operational control
shut-down valve

Tandem Mooring and Offloading Guidelines for Conventional Tankers at FPSO Facilities

250 Tonnes PODx in operation since 2014

P3 Gall Thomson PODx: Powered Offshore Disconnect

Performance
PODx has more than a decade of successful field experience on FPSO tandem mooring applications where it has activated successfully on demand
on several occasions.
Following these activations, PODx has been reset and reused.
Safe release
The simple but effective design means PODx
will release under full load on command.
Unique design
Block geometry is arranged such that only
13% of the tensile load is transferred to the
release bolt (R-Bolt).
Breakload reliability
Block design is such that the link can be
released reliably at tensile loads above the yield
point of the shackles in an emergency.
Low maintenance
No moving parts until activation ensures a long
maintenance-free period.
A 3-year inspection survey is recommended.
Reusable
After a PODx activation, PODx can be easily
reset. This can be done with or without the
assistance of Gall Thomson.
Simple installation
P4
before a release is initiated.
Compact
PODx minimises the footprint on the
FPSO deck.
PODx can be retrofitted easily and quickly
offshore and on-site whilst the FPSO or CT
is in the field.
Economical
PODx is simply mounted between two shackles. PODx is extremely economical compared
to other devices available.
PODx can be easily retrofitted on existing
FPSO/FSO or Conventional Tankers (CTs)
Lifespan
as it does not require any extensive drilling/
The main components of PODxhave a design
fixing on the vessel deck.
life of 10 years.
Safety
The safety factor is 5:1.
PODx is designed with safety interlocks
so that unintentional release is impossible.
The mechanical interlock fitted to the release
valve assembly requires the ARM switch to be
set, followed by the simultaneous pushing of
two RELEASE buttons in a specific sequence
Gall Thomson PODx: Powered Offshore Disconnect
PODxRelease Technology
There are two release technology options within the Release Fastener range: the choice of which depends on the application.

Releasable Bolts and Nuts
The two options of Release Bolt (R-Bolt) and
Nut (R-Nut).are both hydraulic release fasteners
based on traditional load carrying geometry.
This standardisation allows for high
performance and integration in existing
architecture and technology.
Both systems can be assembled and reset
quickly with standard wrenches/spanners.
the R-Nut repels its thread sections radially with R-Bolt
the use of an external sliding collar.
Systems have been deployed using M10
to M125 nuts.
The Gall Thomson R-Bolt and R-Nut have been Release Bolt: assembled
developed over 23 years within the defence
and energy sectors. Initially developed for the
replacement of the exploding bolt in the French
Ariane rocket motor development programme. Release Bolt: activated state

In the normal state, loads can be introduced Since then this technology has been used in a
wide range of applications and industries: from R-Nut
and retained. When a hydraulic signal is
introduced, the thread engagement is removed a variety of chain release systems, flange and
allowing the connection to be detached. structure release systems, mining, subsea oil
and gas, military and civil water treatment.
Disengaging is achieved with minimised
displacement and movement.
Release Nut: assembled
The R-Bolt changes its internal threads from
parallel to tapered in order to release. All
moving parts are contained internally; where

Release Nut: activated state

A range of activation methods are available: including hydraulic, electrical and pneumatic.
This technology has been deployed in a range of industries: including oil & gas, nuclear and defence.

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Key benefits
PODx for FPSO Tandem loading ULCC tankers of up to 350 Tonnes SWL.
Long life
10-year design life. No moving parts until
a release takes place.
Ease of fitting
No extensive drilling or welding on the
FPSO/Tanker deck is required to
fit/assemble PODx.
Robust
PODxcan be supplied for FPSO loading
tankers of up to 350 Tonnes SWL, as per
OCIMF guidelines.
The calliper is arranged such that only 13%
of the tensile load applied to the link is
transferred to the R-Bolt.
Load pin
A load-monitoring shackle can be supplied to
monitor loads in a local or remote display panel.
Manual backup option
For electrically actuated systems, a hand
pump can be used to initiate release in the
event of a catastrophic incident that has
removed all electrical power on board the
FPSO or the Conventional Tanker.
P6
Reflex Hydraulic Power Unit (R-HPU)
The R-HPU is a compact, pre-charged,
low maintenance HPU; offering a safe, rapid
hydraulic signal to PODxor other Gall Thomson
Hydraulic devices.
The HPU is operated via pneumatic or
electrical push button controls, with mechanical
interlocks to prevent accidental activations.
The integral control valve self-relieves the
control lines compensating for temperature
fluctuations, whilst retaining hydraulic pressure
stored within accumulators when in the
dormant state.
R-HPU designed and manufactured for
PODx systems
Gall Thomson PODx: Powered Offshore Disconnect
PODx Global Track Record
for FPSO only
1. BW Offshore Addax Petroleum through Bergesen
DY. Vessel: Sendje Berge 1998, 2005, 2014. Set of
release bolts and spares sent 2006.
2. BW Offshore Vessel Berg Helene 2004, 2015.
3. Fred Olsen Vessel Knock Taggart 2003, 2010.
Spares sent in 2005 Incident occurred where
release was required.
4. FPSO Ikdam Main Mooring unit 2001.
5. Yinson FPSO Knock Adoon 2006.
6. Fred Olsen Vessel Knock Allan 2007. Spares sent
2010. Major incident occurred requiring release.
7. BW Offshore FPSO Petroleo Nautipa 2014, 2017.
PODx weights and dimensions

3 C
B

E
DETAIL A

D
SCALE 1:5

F H

4
2 1

DIMENSION MM
PODx assembled
TYPE Weight A B C D E F G H
(kg)

250T 970 475 1542 846 440 200 1828 600 129
G

85T 329 335 1078 627 399 119 1261 506 86

17T 16 147 481 276 176 53 565 251 42.5

2.5T 3 101 319 188 126 38 373 179 26

250T POD X DESIGNED FOR CROSBY 1021243

G-2140 ALLOY BOLT TYPE ANCHOR SHACKLE

ITEM DESCRIPTION QTY. MATERIAL

NO.
1 UPPER LINK BLOCK 250T
2 LOWER LINK BLOCK 250T
3 BOLT SECTION ASSEMBLY
4 NUT SECTION ASSEMBLY
1 S355 JR
1 S355 JR
1 AISI 316 ST/STL
1 AISI 316 ST/STL

350T PODx also available

250T 970 475 1542 846 440 200 1828 600 129

85T 329 335 1078 627 399 119 1261 506 86

PODx activated
17T 16 147 481 276 176 53 565 251 42.5

2.5T 3 101 319 188 126 38 373 179 26

Other Applications
PODx can be used in other applications where release of chains, cables and strops are required in
routine and emergency situations.
For bespoke projects, call the Gall Thomson team.

P7 Gall Thomson PODx: Powered Offshore Disconnect

The Gall Thomson range
Petal Valve Marine Breakaway Couplings
Petal17 Marine Breakaway Couplings
Flip-Flap Valve Marine Breakaway Couplings
Underbuoy Breakaway Couplings
Camlock Coupling Range
Emergency Release & Shut-Off Couplings
PODx: Powered Offshore Disconnect
Global Support and Aftersales Care

Gall Thomson Environmental Ltd FM 588505 EMS 588506

Technology Centre, Suffling Road
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 3QP
United Kingdom Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement

Tel +44 1493 857936 www.gallthomson.com

Fax +44 1493 850888 sales@gall-thomson.co.uk

Product descriptions and specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Gall Thomson recommends that all information and data are confirmed with our technical department before
specifying, ordering or commissioning. Copyright © All information provided is subject to international copyright, trademark and patent laws and cannot be reproduced without the expressed
and written permission of Gall Thomson Environmental Ltd™. Trademarks protected: ERSOC™, Gall Thomson Environmental Ltd™. Protected by Worldwide Patents.

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+44 1493 857936 sales@gall-thomson.co.uk www.gallthomson.com