Cleaning the Gulf of obsolete platforms is the goal of the Southern Recycling’s (SOREC) Morgan City, Louisiana facility. The yard’s new 420-ton land-based crane has increased the Gulf region’s capacity to manage disposal of obsolete rigs and platforms in an environmentally safe and cost-effective manner.
The crane, engineered and manufactured by American Crane allows the yard to lift many platforms, up to 120 ft tall, directly from the material barge to the facility’s yard without pre-cuts. With a 260° radius and 200’ boom, the crane has supported the dismantling of 67 off-shore platforms to date this year. The facility, one of four in Morgan City located on the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW), has been dismantling platforms, barges, and vessels for over a decade.
However, the crane, one of the largest land-based in the Gulf Coast region, gives the facility unparallel reach. “At JAB Energy Solutions, we managed 19 Gulf of Mexico platform removals in 2009 which were offloaded by Southern’s crane. At a time when our clients are very interested in operating safely and saving money, Southern was able to excel in both these areas,” said Brent Boudreaux, JAB Managing Director.
In addition to the main facility, located near ICW mile marker 92, there are two more Morgan City docks with the ability to unload material barges and vessels. A new, expansion facility is in the works as well.
SOREC has recently partnered with Allison Marine to provide integrated services supporting Gulf of Mexico exploration, production, abandonment, and decommissioning services and to minimize barge rental and demurrage time.