Case studies
Six projects in full: the asset, the client, the team, the challenges and how they were met, with the client's own words at the end of each. Every case study is also available as a PDF.
Facade Replacement
- Asset
- Address Downtown Hotel
- Client
- Alumco/ Dutco/ Emaar
- Location
- Onshore. Dubai, UAE
- Duration
- 40 Days
- Team
- IRATA x 15 man team
Project Coordinator x1
Rope Access Manager x1
Group Technical Authority x1
Following a fire that gutted much of the building, the Global Remote group was approached to assist with part of the extensive remedial works to the iconic Address Downtown Hotel in Dubai, focusing on the replacement of facade aluminium composite paneling (ACP) in a problematic and exposed location.
Project scope
Removal of all existing ACP and installation of new ACP and bracketing on the exposed 63rd floor facade canopy (over 375 panels replaced). The canopy was located at 220m elevation, spanning 75m circumference around the building and extending out from the facade ~3.0m).
Challenges
- Initial access and rigging proved problematic with no provision for immediate external access and very few provisions for anchor points
- The horizontal canopy presented very difficult access to the end and underside of panels
- Due to the landmark status of the building, the quality requirements were extremely high
- Due to the elevation, adverse wind conditions would frequently delay works and add criticality to the hauling and movements of panels
- Location of the building is nearby to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Dubai
Approach
Due to the site criticality and demanding quality requirements, the site was initially assessed by the Global Remote Group Technical Authority, and a project plan and method statement established. Following approvals from the client, sections of the facade were removed to provide access, and additional rope access anchors installed in the structural concrete. An experienced rope access facade team was engaged for the project to ensure project specific and unique rigging techniques were upheld and that quality and productivity targets were met. The team also initiated detailed daily progress reporting with marked drawings and extensive photo logs of the work completed, in order to keep the client updated, to aid consultant quality reviews, and to ensure that the best quality service was delivered to the client.
The detailed planning and reporting systems enabled us to carefully track progress and address any issues immediately. The team worked tirelessly to deliver this technical and very physically exposed project works on time and without any accident or incident.
The works were completed with a high degree of quality and well on target. Global Remote is by far the best rope access company I have come across here in the UAE.
Horton Sphere Tank Inspection
- Asset
- Horton Sphere Tank Farm (scope of x 11 sphere tanks)
- Client
- Reliance Industrial Ltd
- Location
- Jamnagar, Gujarat
- Duration
- Average of 41 days per tank
- Team
- IRATA x 11 man team (mechanical, remedial, inspection)
Project Coordinator x1
Project Manager/TA x1
Reliance Industries Ltd approached Global Remote to carry out a comprehensive sphere maintenance and inspection programme to a number of their horton sphere tanks. Following five years of continual service, the client required the tanks to be assessed for their remaining lifetime, reliability, integrity and safety, as per SMPV rule 19 and the ASME code standards. The extensive project scope and reduced shutdown timeline demanded the utilisation of a highly experienced and multi skilled remedial and inspection team of rope access professionals.
Project scope
Internal and external inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) programme on x11 Horton spheres, ranging in size from 13.0m diameter to 22.5m diameter. Internal Scope: 100% cleaning and visual inspection; weld buffing and MPI/ DPI to 100% weld joints, inc., nozzle welds; UT weld scanning min 25% of weld seams, inc., all T joints, middle circumferential seams, bottom and crown weld seams; UT thickness gauging on random shell nozzles. External Scope: MPT of 10% external weld joints, including all support leg welds of reinforcement pad to shell and pad to stub ends; shell hardness test; removal of sprinkler nozzles at peripheral sphere area, flushing of sprinkler line and box up of all nozzles, and finally hydrotesting; restoration of fire proofing (guniting), and any additional areas as per client recommendation; painting application to all surface areas inspected.
Challenges
The project presented the typical challenges faced with a short duration shutdown within a large void confined space, however the added requirement to carry out a detailed inspection of the internal concave upper half of the sphere remained the most significant obstacle. The Global Remote team rose to the challenge, developing a unique proprietary system, not seen in the industry prior, providing for safe and close-proximity access for the entire upper portion of the sphere.
Approach
Detailed logistics and project planning was imperative for this very time critical, and uniquely difficult access project. The well designed and tested system of access for the concave sections of the spheres, coupled with specific off-site training for the technicians, proved invaluable in preparing the team for a high level of proficiency and productivity, once reaching site. The company’s concise and thorough reporting systems, including the provision of CCTV live streaming during inspections, provided a further enhancement for the client on delivery of each completed tank.
Maintenance activities during a shutdown are always critical and need to be well planned and effectively managed on a day-to-day basis. Again, Global Remote’s extensive experience contributed to the successful execution of this project to the high standards demanded by the client and within budget and ahead of schedule.
Project execution was excellent. The job scope was carried out ahead of schedule and with all the necessary safety precautions. The staff remained well mannered, professional and cooperative throughout the project. An excellent performance overall.
Flare Tip Replacement
- Asset
- Flare 3
- Client
- Rasgas Company Limited/ Trags
- Location
- Onshore. RLIC, Qatar
- Duration
- 14 days (4 days ahead of planned schedule)
- Team
- IRATA x18 man team
Project Coordinator x2
Project Manager/TA x1
An earlier visual inspection carried out by drone established significant damage to four flare tips and the top structural module of the derrick. The client required the replacement of the damaged flares and replacement of the top module structure, all within a very short shutdown period. The project scope and timeline demanded the utilisation of a highly experienced structural remedial team of rope access professionals.
Project scope
Replacement of four flare tips and top module derrick structure. Replacement of flare guide rails and rollers. Replacement and re-wiring of aircraft warning lights and close visual inspection of entire derrick and piping systems.
Challenges
- Derrick elevation of 140m
- Flare tips weight of 14-16 tons each
- Replacement of entire damaged top module
- Operational flares nearby. Risk of heat radiation and toxic gas during flare bursts
Approach
The project demanded the deployment of the Global Remote flare replacement and construction team for a schedule of day and night shifts. Additionally, stringent rescue and evacuation planning to the client’s demanding HSE protocols was required, incorporating specialised PPE and access equipment, continuous gas monitoring, and live communications with the client control rooms.
Careful planning and scheduling, rigorous monitoring, and close daily communications with the stake holders ensured the GR team executed the project safely, in a seamless manner, and four days ahead of schedule.
Well trained, professional and motivated team. Exhibited excellent team work. Many thanks to all.
A successful work completion without any LTI and ahead of schedule. All appreciation out to the gents for your efforts in this.
Thanks to the entire team for the safe and successful completion of the Flare-3 shutdown. Great work and dedication. Much appreciated.
Marine Loading Arm Inspection
- Asset
- LPG Marine Loading Arms
- Client
- South Asia LPG Company PVT Limited (SALPG)
- Location
- Onshore. Andhra Pradesh, India
- Duration
- 14 Days
- Team
- IRATA x 4 man team
Project Coordinator x1
Rope Access Manager x1
The Total France and Hindustan Petroleum joint venture client, SALPG, approached Global Remote for the inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) services for their two LPG marine loading arms, first installed in 2008 on the facilities sunken ship jetty. The extensive nature of the project scope, the short shutdown period, coupled with the associated access issues, demanded that a skilled IMR rope access team be deployed.
Project scope
Full IMR services for the LPG loading arms included: NDT (visual and UT) of arm structure and visual inspection of pantograph cables; replacement of the entire hydraulic system tubing and connection hoses; replacement of all nitrogen injection line valves and hoses; replacement of all electrical conduits; cleaning and re-greasing of the pantograph cables.
Challenges
- Extensive nature of IMR given the limited shutdown time line
- Inspection and mechanical skills required from all members of the deployed team
- Containment of the greasing works of pantograph cables to maintain a hazard free environment
Approach
An experienced rope access manager was initially deployed to assess the site and establish the safety protocols, access requirements and work programme with the client. The deployment of an experienced IMR rope access team, coordinated the supply of materials and prioritised the work tasks to an exacting schedule along with the client’s engineering department, to achieve the successful outcome within a 14 day window of availability.
Thanks to the careful planning, the team executed the job as per the project plan and within the allotted time period.
The project was completed within the shut down timelines, and all staff members showed a high level of skill during their work execution.
Heat Treatment of Pressure Vessel
- Asset
- Newly fabricated pressure vessels. Tatweer Petroleum Non-Associated Gas project
- Client
- Mechanical Contracting and Services Company (MCSC), TDE Group and Tatweer Petroleum
- Location
- MSCS Fabrication yard, Kingdom of Bahrain
- Duration
- 21 Days
- Team
- Project Coordinator x 1
Heat Treatment Technicians x 6
One of our respected repeat clients, Mechanical Contracting and Services Company (MCSC), approached Global Remote for the post-weld heat treatment of a range of pressure vessels being fabricated for Tatweer Petroleum’s expansive Non-Associated Gas project in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The very short project time line, and requirement for a unique temporary furnace system, necessitated a skilled experienced service team from Global Remote Bahrain.
Project scope
Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT)/ stress relieving of 100% of the weld seams of a range of medium and large pressure vessels (6 nos) being fabricated for TDE Group and Tatweer Petroleum’s expansive Non-Associated Gas (NAG) project in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Challenges
- Short turnaround of design, development and fabrication of the temporary furnace, that could be easily disassembled, transported, and set up at any client facility
- Compliance to a number of international codes and standards including the ASME Section VIII Division 1
Approach
One of our respected repeat clients, MCSC, approached Global Remote with a requirement to heat treat and stress relieve a number of newly fabricated medium to large pressure vessels. Following an initial brief consulting phase with the client, establishing the key constraints and critically that local heat treatment systems were not suitable, the Global Remote team recommended and developed a transportable, lightweight, low-thermal-mass temporary furnace installation. The temporary furnace (L-8M x W-4M x H-4M) was built utilising ceramic fiber thermal insulation and employed an electrical resistance heating method using 4-bank channel heaters. The use of these heating panels as heating elements, enabled the process to be controlled with precision via the corresponding control units. With this furnace, vessel of diameters of up to 3,000 mm and length of 7,500mm could be heat treated. The time and processing of loading and unloading the furnace was further enhanced by a removable roof section and mobile crane.
At the time of this project, Global Remote was the only company offering these heat treatment services in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The temporary furnace solution provided by Global Remote proved to be a fast, convenient and cost-effective alternative to permanent furnaces and the high cost of transporting components to fixed installations.
The Global Remote team has completed this significant challenge with great proficiency, completing the design, fabricate and execution phases of the project within the clients time frame with zero safety violations and satisfying all the required quality constraints
Global Remote conducted themselves well, performing a very good job in a very cooperative and professional manner
Technical Glazing Supply and Installation
- Asset
- City Center Mall, Bahrain
- Client
- Enova Energy and Facilities Management Services SPC (ENOVA)
- Location
- Onshore. Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
- Duration
- 16 Days
- Team
- IRATA x 5 man team
Facade Technical Supervisor x1
Project Coordinator x1
Mechanical Engineer x1
Project Manager/TA x1
The largest shopping mall in Bahrain had recognised a number of large cracked glazing units on the exterior of a centrally located atrium facade. The critical nature of the location above an active mall, and the difficult access to the inclined facade, demanded that a unique, timely and safety conscious solution was required.
Project scope
Supply and replacement of 12 cracked glazing units on an inclined facade by rope access methods (glazing units of 350kg each, dimensions 1.8m x 2.8m, and x4 laminations).
Challenges
- Difficult lift of glazing units from delivery point to nearby to the atrium facade
- Large and heavy glazing units on an inclined facade
- Very short turnaround of removal and replacement time due to operational hours of the mall
- Operating hours on the facade restricted to 12am, 5am
Approach
Owing to the unique environment and challenges of the site, a specialised lifting and transport jig, specifically designed and engineered for this project was required. This jig enabled the glazing units to be lifted, enclosed within the device from a delivery point, up to a nearby roof, transported across that roof, and then onto the hoist system on the inclined facade. A battery driven vacuum unit built into the device was then utilised, enabling the glazing units to be positioned and lowered at an appropriate angle to the inclined facade. Internally, directly under the glazing panel to be removed, rated metal catch nets were installed to protect against any dislodged broken glass or any dropped object.
The unique lifting jig, coupled with a very well-planned and scheduled project, enabled a high level of team efficiency, and resulted in the timely completion of the project without incident. The resultant learning from the project enabled the Bahrain business to secure major facade restoration projects in Bahrain.
A very professional approach to completing the job and observing the safety standards.