Choosing and purchasing a subsea cable system is just the beginning of a multi-year process. This is true for all types of cables, like sonar cables and ROV cables.
The equipment must be stored, maintained, deployed, and operated properly and repaired as necessary to get the most value from your investment. Above all, downtime in production due to cable problems must be avoided at all costs.
Service beyond maintenance
High-quality subsea cables require a maintenance program that preserves that quality. However, the benefits of a manufacturer’s field service agreement can reach far beyond maintenance.
Many issues can cause a cable to leak or fail when deployed on the open sea. A severe storm, an electrical short, or even a shark bite can disrupt the ship's electrical and/or optical connection. In some cases, photos of the damage and diagnostic test results can give the field service engineer onshore enough information to coach the crew aboard to perform the repair.
If not, the engineer may determine that the damage is severe, and the cable must be returned to the DeRegt factory for a complete refurbishment. To extend the lifetime of our clients’ cables, every effort is made to repair the existing equipment to the greatest extent possible.
Added value on board
But in critical situations, if the damage is determined to be repairable aboard the ship, the field engineer will travel to the vessel, bringing the necessary equipment and expertise to repair at sea. While on board, the engineer not only can return the cable to working condition but also can provide additional benefits to our client’s operation.
DeRegt Field Service Manager Mario Boot travels the globe to ensure that clients can keep production going, despite problems with a cable. Deftly navigating flight schedules, international boundaries, and rough seas, Mario brings repair equipment and years of experience working with subsea cable systems.
In the process of pinpointing the source of the leak and performing the necessary repairs, Mario observes the client’s equipment and procedures for managing their cables.
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➢ Read the PGS and DeRegt Cables case story: Better Together
Mario trains the crew on the best ways to store and move the large, heavy cables to prevent future leaks caused by damage to the fragile electrical and optical lines inside. He also guides them in performing re-terminations so that the next time a leak occurs, they will be able to restore operability themselves.
Once the spare cable is fixed and ready for the next deployment, Mario checks over the ship’s remaining cables to ensure that they are in good working condition.
In a final written report to the asset manager, Mario records his observations on the cable management practices aboard the ship, providing invaluable feedback that will help the client maintain production on the high seas.
A strategic partnership
From cable selection and design to far-ranging field service to storage and refurbishment, the added value DeRegt offers as a strategic partner goes above and beyond selling a cable. With the help of a DeRegt field service agreement, clients can rest easy knowing their cable systems will provide excellent service at sea for many years.
For an in-depth look at a partnership/collaboration with Field Service's advantages, read PGS and DeRegt Cables: Better Together.
