Peregrino Buoy Goes Overboard

Peregrino STP buoy showing Ballgrab connectors

The Peregrino FPSO submerged turret production (STP) buoy being lowered overboard in preparation for tow out. The female ball and taper mooring connectors can be clearly seen on the side of the buoy.
 
The Peregrino STP buoy will be moored in 100m of water, 85km offshore Brazil. First Subsea is providing ten Ballgrab ball and taper connectors with a minimum breaking load (MBL) of 10,600kN for its 30 year life.
 
The female Ballgrab connectors are attached around the side of the buoy ahead of tow out, as the photo clearly shows. This avoids the need to attach the buoy mooring lines before tow out thus simplifying buoy lifting and tow out operations. Once in buoy is position, the male Ballgrabs and mooring lines are connected subsea with assistance by ROV, and avoiding the need for divers.
 
The STP buoy is manufactured by Advanced Production and Loading (APL), a BW Offshore division. First Subsea is also supplying a buoy pull-in connector for the Peregrino FPSO, operated by Maersk FPSOs Brazil, to retrieve the STP buoy.