Maritime Developments Ltd (MDL) has completed a SURF decommissioning campaign in Brazilian deep waters in the Campos Basin, approximately 250km east of Rio de Janeiro.
Executed from a multipurpose vessel, the project involved the recovery of flexible flowlines, umbilicals and jumpers associated with a decommissioned FPSO. MDL provided a complete back-deck equipment spread, engineering services and offshore personnel package to support the recovery operations.
The scope built on a feasibility study previously completed by MDL, which assessed whether the vessel, already on charter by the field operator, could be used for this decommissioning campaign – a first of its kind application. The FEED considered recovery methodologies, product top tension requirements, reel capacity, deck layout and preliminary structural considerations for the vessel. This engineering work informed the equipment configuration best suited to offshore execution, along with an indicative project schedule.
MDL supplied its Wheeled Horizontal Lay System (WHLS-02), 110Te tensioner, Generation 3 Reel Drive System (RDS), FRN-150 offshore winch and offshore-rated reels. The spread mobilised onboard in B-Port, Brazil, overseen by the MDL do Brasil Project Management & Engineering team and operated offshore by MDL’s UK and Brazilian crew.
The WHLS, recognised with a 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, uses a wheeled overboarding arrangement to reduce the capstan effect during deepwater SURF retrieval. This enabled MDL’s single, high-capacity tensioner to handle recovery loads of up to 105Te.
Yuri Mendes Martins, MDL Brazil Country Manager said: "I’m very proud to see the successful completion of the Campos recovery campaign, which further demonstrates MDL’s applicability and experience in Brazil's growing decommissioning market.
“This project progressed from an early feasibility study through to offshore execution, allowing MDL to support the client throughout the full project lifecycle. The engineering work completed during the planning phase provided a strong foundation for the mobilisation and offshore campaign and helped define the recovery spread deployed on the client’s vessel, not typically used for this type of scope.
“As a result of completing the FEED study, MDL had intimate knowledge of the project and the challenges faced by the operator. By selecting the equipment specification we recommended, they gained the confidence of choosing a safe and efficient solution tailored for this type of operation, giving all parties reassurance for the success of the campaign.
“This project extends our growing track record in Brazil, with challenging scopes carried out using our portable technology on board clients’ chosen vessels – reducing reliance on specialist construction tonnage, likely tied up in long-term contracts, and therefore allowing better control of schedules and budgets while enabling operators to meet their environmental obligations.”
MDL is exhibiting at ROG.e in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21-24 September on stand W74 (pavilion 4)