37,000 Tonne Jacket Successfully Loaded Out Using Fluoroglide® PTFE Skidway System
Loading out an offshore jacket weighing tens of thousands of tonnes is a complex engineering operation where friction control, load distribution and reliability are critical.
For the Liuhua 11-1 project in the South China Sea, a 37,000-tonne jacket measuring 338 metres in height needed to be safely transferred onto the heavy transport vessel HYSY229.
Fluorocarbon provided the low-friction skidway solution, using Fluoroglide® FL129 PTFE skidway plates together with Fluoroslip® FL414, a specially formulated liquid silicone system designed to reduce friction during the loadout of heavy structures.
The result was a successful loadout and launch, with the jacket moved safely and efficiently without project delays.
Table of Contents
The Challenge: Moving a 37,000-Tonne Offshore Jacket
The Solution: Fluoroglide® FL129 PTFE Skidway Plates
Achieving Low and Predictable Friction
Why PTFE Is Used for Heavy Structure Loadout
Engineering Support Beyond the Material
The Result: A Successful 37,000-Tonne Loadout
Supporting Heavy Offshore Construction Projects
The Challenge: Moving a 37,000-Tonne Offshore Jacket
The Liuhua 11-1 development involved the construction of a major offshore production facility in the South China Sea.
The jacket supporting the Liuhua 11-1 platform is approximately 338 metres high and weighs 37,000 tonnes, making its loadout a significant engineering challenge. The completed structure would form part of the wider Liuhua 11-1/4-1 development, which includes a deepwater jacket platform and cylindrical FPSO. The field has an average water depth of approximately 305 metres.
The jacket needed to be transferred from the construction yard onto HYSY229 before being launched.
For an operation of this scale, the skidway system needed to provide:
- Extremely low and predictable friction
- Reliable load distribution
- Controlled movement of the structure
- Consistent performance throughout the loadout
- A robust solution suitable for the demanding construction environment
- Confidence that the structure could be moved without unnecessary delays or complications
The friction between the sliding surfaces was particularly important. Excessive or inconsistent friction could increase the force required to move the jacket and place additional demands on the loadout equipment and structure.
The Solution: Fluoroglide® FL129 PTFE Skidway Plates
Fluorocarbon supplied its Fluoroglide® FL129 skidway plates for the loadout operation.
Fluoroglide® skidway plates are based on proven PTFE slide-bearing technology and are designed to provide controlled, low-friction movement of very heavy structures.
For offshore construction yards, skidway systems allow large jackets, modules and other structures to be moved horizontally using a controlled sliding system rather than relying on conventional lifting methods.
Fluorocarbon has developed specialist PTFE grades and bonded PTFE/metallic skidway plates for these applications, with its systems used on heavy offshore structures around the world.
Skidway Plates Installed on Land and Barge
For the Liuhua project, the Fluoroglide® FL129 skidway plates were installed both on the construction yard and on the barge.
This created a continuous low-friction sliding interface during the transfer of the jacket.
The skidway system was complemented by Fluoroglide® FL414, a specially formulated liquid silicone system used to further reduce friction during the loadout operation.
The combination of the PTFE skidway plates and lubrication system was designed to provide the required friction characteristics while allowing the enormous structure to be moved in a controlled manner.
Achieving Low and Predictable Friction
One of the most important performance requirements for a heavy loadout is controlling the coefficient of friction between the sliding surfaces.
For this project, the system achieved:
| Performance Parameter | Result |
|---|---|
| Static Friction | 10% |
| Dynamic Friction | 3% |
| Jacket Weight | 37,000 tonnes |
| Jacket Height | 338 metres |
| Skidway System | Fluoroglide® FL129 |
| Lubrication System | Fluoroslip® FL414 |
The difference between static and dynamic friction is particularly important in heavy loadout applications.
Static friction determines the force required to initiate movement. Once the structure begins to move, dynamic friction determines the force required to maintain that movement.
Reducing dynamic friction significantly helps control the forces required throughout the loadout operation.
Why PTFE Is Used for Heavy Structure Loadout
PTFE is particularly well suited to skidway applications because of its very low coefficient of friction.
It also provides excellent chemical resistance and does not suffer from corrosion in the same way as metallic sliding surfaces. Fluorocarbon's Fluoroglide® skidway technology is specifically designed around the low-friction characteristics of PTFE.
For heavy structural movement, the advantages include:
Low Friction
PTFE provides an extremely low-friction sliding interface, helping reduce the force required to move large structures.
Controlled Movement
A predictable coefficient of friction allows engineers to calculate the forces involved and design the loadout system accordingly.
No Stick-slip Behaviour
Fluorocarbon's skidway technology is designed to provide smooth movement without the stick-slip behaviour associated with some conventional sliding interfaces.
Resistance to Harsh Environments
PTFE is chemically inert and highly resistant to moisture and environmental exposure, making it well suited to demanding construction and offshore environments.
Proven for Extreme Loads
Fluorocarbon's Fluoroglide® skidway plates have been used to successfully load out jackets and decks weighing up to 37,000 tonnes.
Engineering Support Beyond the Material
For a project of this scale, selecting the right PTFE grade is only one part of the engineering process.
The skidway arrangement must consider the total structural load, bearing pressure, temperature, number and position of the skidway plates, supporting structure and the specific requirements of the loadout operation.
Fluorocarbon's skidway engineering approach considers factors including:
- Total weight of the structure
- Required skidway bearing area
- Number and position of skidway plates
- Expected bearing pressure
- Operating temperature
- Supporting steelwork
- Mounting arrangement
- Deflection of the sliding surface
- Environmental conditions
- Lubrication requirements
This engineering approach helps ensure that the skidway system is matched to the application rather than treated as a standard off-the-shelf component.
The Result: A Successful 37,000-Tonne Loadout
The Fluoroglide® FL129 skidway system provided COOEC with a safe, proven and cost-effective solution for moving the enormous jacket onto HYSY229.
The 37,000-tonne structure was successfully loaded out and launched using the Fluoroglide® skidway system.
Importantly, the project was completed without delays and within budget.
The successful operation demonstrates how appropriately engineered PTFE skidway systems can provide a reliable solution for moving extremely large offshore structures during construction and installation.
Supporting Heavy Offshore Construction Projects
The Liuhua project is an example of the scale of movement that can be achieved using PTFE-based skidway technology.
Fluoroglide® skidway plates are used in construction yards around the world for the controlled movement of offshore jackets, modules and other heavy structures. Fluorocarbon provides both the PTFE skidway technology and technical support required to select and implement the appropriate system.
The wider oil and gas industry places demanding requirements on materials and components, particularly where high mechanical loads, harsh environments and long-term reliability are involved. Fluorocarbon supplies high-performance polymer materials and engineered components for subsea, offshore and onshore applications.
Fluoroglide® PTFE Skidways for Heavy Loadout Applications
When moving an offshore jacket, module or other heavy structure, the skidway system plays a critical role in controlling the forces involved.
Fluoroglide® PTFE skidway plates offer:
- Low coefficient of friction
- Smooth, controlled movement
- High load-bearing capability
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Resistance to moisture and environmental exposure
- Proven performance in heavy offshore loadout applications
- Bespoke engineering and technical support
From individual skidway components through to complete loadout requirements, Fluorocarbon can support customers with material selection, skidway design and application engineering.
Conclusion
The successful loadout of the 37,000-tonne Liuhua 11-1 jacket demonstrates the importance of combining low-friction materials with application-specific engineering.
By using Fluoroglide® FL129 PTFE skidway plates alongside Fluoroslip® FL414, Fluorocarbon helped provide the controlled, low-friction interface required to move one of the world's largest offshore structures safely onto HYSY229.
With jackets and decks weighing up to 37,000 tonnes successfully loaded out using Fluoroglide® skidway technology, Fluorocarbon continues to provide proven PTFE solutions for some of the most demanding heavy-load movement applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are PTFE skidway plates?
PTFE skidway plates are low-friction sliding components used to move very heavy structures horizontally. They provide a controlled sliding interface between the structure and the supporting skidway system.
Why is PTFE used for offshore jacket loadout?
PTFE has an exceptionally low coefficient of friction, excellent chemical resistance and very low moisture absorption. These characteristics make it well suited to controlled movement of large structures during offshore construction.
What is a skidway system?
A skidway system is an engineered sliding arrangement used to move large and heavy structures, such as offshore jackets and modules, from a construction area onto a transport vessel or other support structure.
What is Fluoroglide® FL129?
Fluoroglide® FL129 is a PTFE skidway plate system developed by Fluorocarbon for heavy-load sliding applications, including the loadout of offshore jackets and modules.
What is Fluoroslip® FL414?
Fluoroslip® FL414 is a specially formulated liquid silicone system used to reduce friction during the loadout of heavy structures. In the Liuhua project, it was used in combination with Fluoroglide® FL129 skidway plates.
How much weight can Fluoroglide® skidways support?
Fluorocarbon has successfully supplied Fluoroglide® skidway systems for jackets and decks weighing up to 37,000 tonnes. The appropriate skidway design depends on the structure, bearing pressure, operating conditions and loadout arrangement.
Can Fluorocarbon provide engineering support for skidway applications?
Yes. Fluorocarbon can support customers with skidway requirements including material selection, bearing area calculations, skidway positioning, mounting arrangements and consideration of environmental and operating conditions.
What other applications use PTFE skidway technology?
PTFE skidway technology can be used for the controlled movement of offshore jackets, topsides, modules and other large structures during construction and loadout operations.
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