Ball and Taper Technology
The unique, self-activating mechanism of Ballgrab tools allows rapid deployment. The tool is simply guided into position and, once engaged, cannot be released until the load has been removed. A simple disengage mechanism allows the tool to be released and recovered for re-use.
The Ballgrab works on the simple principle of a ball engaged in a taper. The ball grips the item to be held, in direct proportion to the load applied.
• Simple mechanism
• Rolling friction is less than sliding friction
• Individual multi-point grip
• All grip elements are in compression
• Grip is directly proportional to load
• Self activating and self aligning
Rapid Deployment
Deployment at the surface is simple, quick and efficient enabling Ballgrabs to be utilised widely in a variety of projects. It is this ball and taper mechanism that lies behind our strong, reliable Ballgrab tools.
Speed, ease of use and versatility make this technology so significant. It has been tried, tested and proven in practice in a range of applications, such as lifting, tensioning, pulling, mooring, recovery and decommissioning.
Ball and Taper Applications
The ease of ball and taper connection makes it suitable for any application involving gripping, pulling and holding connections under load. The primary difference between a ball and taper connection and other connection methods is the way in which it minimises gripping surface deformation. Unlike many gripping methods that create sharp indents in the surface and introduce potential fatigue failure points, the balls' tear-drop shaped indents on the surface have been shown to have minimal, long-term, fatigue effects.
For an insight into the ways in which ball and taper technology has been successfully deployed in offshore applications download the First Subsea Ball and Taper brochure.
Subsea Mooring Track Record
Ballgrab tools have been deployed in locations around the world, including some of the most inhospitable or inaccessible environments, and are fast becoming the tool of choice where high integrity, fatigue resistant or rapid deployment and disengage connection are needed.
Designed and tested in accordance with certifying authority standards, Ballgrabs are available in a range of sizes up to 3,000mT MBL. Used in over 300 subsea mooring installations worldwide, recent Ballgrab projects include BP's Mad Dog SPAR, Ocean Confidence Drilling Programme and Thunder Horse PLET Tie-back systems, ExxonMobil's Erha and Kizomba Drilling Programmes, Kerr McGee's Constitution, Gunnison and Red Hawk SPARs, Murphy's Kikeh and Thunder Hawk projects, Total's Dalia and Akpo projects, Nexen's Ettrick and Shell's Perdido developments, Petrobras Cascade-Chinook STP buoy, Statoil Peregrino STP buoy and buoy pull-in, BP Block 31 FPSO and Tullow Jubilee FPSO.
Ballgrab Subsea Mooring Systems
Diverless Bend Stiffener Connectors
Drilling - Automated Casing Running Tool
