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Model of Supra, underwater work system

Date1980s

Object Namemodel

Mediumplastic

ClassificationsNorth Sea Oil and Gas Industries

Dimensions123cm wide x 33cm deep x 36cm high (excludes base)

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS045024

Keywords

Plastic

About MeThis system was designed in Germany and could be used to work at depths of up to 500 metres. Supra was intended for jobs such as pipeline repair. Divers would descend to the system in a bell. They could then work in the enclosed central area of Supra, which provided a dry working environment. However, Supra did not attract sufficient interest and only a prototype version was ever constructed.

Designed in Germany by ARGE SUPRA
Supra is designed to ensure unlimited working autonomy at sea bottom.
Supra's main applications are:
1. Gripping and aligning of pipelines by the four integrated alignment frames;
2. Supply of hydraulic and electric power for the machining of pipelines or structures on the sea bottom;
3. Hyperbaric dry welding in the integrated welding habitat;
4. Interconnecting of pipelines by mechanical couplings;
5. Transport of heavy loads to the sea-bottom by a storage platform and platform and underwater handling thereof by integrated underwater cranes;
6. Inspection and service works at the sea bottom, either in the "dry" habitat or with the telescope swivel crane.
Supra's versatile applicability together with the vessel's capability to float and to dive and its independence of large surface barges renders it particularly economic and attractive to operators and companies which only have smaller diving and supply vessels.
New and versatile type of underwater work system for 420 m water depth and integrated into a catamaran-type floatable vessel. It can be operated either manned and diver-assisted or remotely controlled and unmanned. It is equipped with underwater television and an obstacle avoidance sonar system. For diver-assisted UW-works, conventional offshore saturation diving systems are used.