This paper describes the joint and successful experience of Yinson and Baker Hughes on the Helang project, where 2 turbo-compressor units based on NovaLT16 gas turbine and 2BCL408/A centrifugal compressor technology for a gas export service have been installed on a FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) operating offshore Malaysian coasts.
The solution’s definition started in 2017 and after 19 months of project execution the FPSO started its operations safely and on plan in December 2019.
This was the first NovaLT16 installation on a floating unit. NovaLT16 draws on Baker Hughes latest innovations in gas turbine technologies bringing to the industry a gas turbine family that, thanks to a compact package solution, is particularly suited for Offshore floating environments.
Considering the tight qualification process, coupled with the challenges faced by Yinson in the overall project development, the smooth and continuous operation of the turbo-compressor units represents a perfect example of industry cooperation and contributed to consolidate the relation of trust between the two Companies.
This is particularly true in the case of Helang where risks and challenges were present:
- During solution definition and design phase Pre-Assembled Unit (PAU) configuration for turbo-compressors was chosen to secure Yinson’s fast track execution schedule.
- Before shipment full-power performance test was carried out at Baker Hughes facility (Massa, Italy) using 100% job equipment to de-risk site activities (moving potential troubleshooting before shipment of Baker Hughes supply). Additionally, extensive in-house checks/tests (Mechanical completion, loop checks, Unit Control Panel) were performed on auxiliaries to ensure track and completion of the delivery before shipping to China yard for integration and auxiliaries’ commissioning.
- During shipyard construction phase, dealing with preservation & storage difficulties, jointly fixed & improved by Yinson and Baker Hughes.
- During commissioning at FPSO, FPSO initial operation, speeding up issues resolution.
- Jointly learning and improving, lessons learned sharing & implementation.
- Adopting Remote Monitoring & Diagnostic in proactive approach to improve plant productivity and fast troubleshooting with dedicated algorithms.
