[Skip to content]

Friday 18 May 2012
.

ALE Services

ALE has developed innovative – in some cases record-breaking – equipment to provide a range of engineered solutions for transporting, lifting and installing heavy items. Full planning and project management services are also available: as a ‘one stop shop’ we can integrate multiple operations and execute them with precision in limited timeframes.

Ballasting

Using a range of hydraulic submersible ballast and de-ballast pumps, ALE is capable of performing very high capacity barge ballasting operations – in fact we frequently supply ballast and de-ballast systems capable of in excess of 60,000 Cu.m/h.

The system is fully computer monitored and can be used in conjunction with our innovative skidding equipment to perform sophisticated load-out operations. Control of the ALE barge ballasting system can be offered at two levels: locally, via the panel on each hydraulic power pack, or remotely, using in-house designed software. We hold a variety of common barge configurations on database so as to minimise set-up time on new operations.

Barge Ballasting
  • Topside load-out, Koje, Korea Ballasting Korea 2sml HRALE supplied and operated an external ballasting system for the load-out of the 21,800te LUN-A topside, as well as performing the load-out engineering and barge management.

Engineering

With more than 100 highly qualified engineers, a Research and Development team capable of designing record-breaking equipment, and a pedigree in delivering innovative solutions for some of the world’s largest organisations, our engineering skills are proven. Ingenuity is one of our core values, and a trait which is evident in every scheme we design and every problem we solve.

Our mega-jack system and SK190 and SK350 cranes are recent examples of equipment that pay testament to this commitment to progress. We also provide proactive risk management, engineering and planning surveys, and our experience means we’re well-equipped to support the full FEED process from conceptual design stage to the production of cost estimates. 

  • Super M2 Rig Hull, UAE Engineering 1ALE carried out engineering works for the sea-fastening, ballasting, load-out and float-off of the Super M2 Rig Hull using a semi-submersible vessel.

Heavy Crane Lifting

ALE operates a comprehensive fleet of heavy cranes including crawler cranes and pedestal cranes ranging from 200 to 1,600te capacity. The fleet includes some of the largest and latest technology equipment available today, and has been designed to provide a top to bottom range of capacities that – combined – act as complete project fleets, providing the range, sizes and capabilities to meet modern day projects. The cranes are based in strategic locations worldwide to provide an efficient and cost-effective solution, minimising mobilisation and maximising use.

 

The AL.SK190 and AL.SK350 cranes 

We are proud to have introduced the world’s highest-capacity land-based cranes – the AL.SK190 and AL.SK350. With the ability to lift up to 5000te, they can be dismantled and shipped around the world in ISO containers. They are also capable of being relocated fully rigged onsite saving considerable time during the construction of major projects.

For ballast, the AL.SK190 and AL.SK350 use locally available material such as sand or gravel, which is loaded into 100te capacity containers. Uniquely, the ballast remains static while the crane slews around a pivot system, making them much more appropriate for congested sites than ring cranes.

These cranes can offer significant benefits over traditional cranes and can substantially reduce construction schedules and costs.

  • Olefins Plant, Saudi Arabia SK Heavy CranesALE was asked to complete major lifts at a petrochemical plant in Jubail in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using the SK190 crane. ALE performed more than 100 lifts on this project during a five-month period.

Jacking

Over the years, ALE has operated a number of jacking systems including strand jacks, which provide a cost-effective lifting and pulling solution for the fabrication and load-out of offshore jackets, platforms and modules. Our range of strand jacks varies from 15te to 900te capacity per jack. More recently, we developed the 40,000 tonne capacity mega-jack system which enables jacking of large structures from a low elevation up to 30 metres. Although designed to assist with the onshore fabrication of increasingly large and heavy topside platforms for the offshore industry, its versatility means there is great potential for its use in other market sectors as well.

The mega-jack has both heavy and light jacking modes, and its modular set-up makes it suitable for a wide range of applications. A key difference between it and traditional jacking systems is that during normal jacking operations, the jacks remain at ground level and the steel jacking beams rise by each jacking step. This way all operations are performed at ground level and working at height is kept to an absolute minimum.

  • Jack-up and installation of a bridge, Germany Bridge Jacking 2ALE was contracted to jack-up and install a 560te bridge in Berlin, Germany. Over the course of one day, the bridge was jacked from its construction position to an elevation of 4.9 metres using four climbing jacks.

Lifting Systems

ALE offers a specialist lifting service to all markets. With a strong heritage in engineering and innovation, we are perfectly placed to undertake the most complex and intricate lifting projects. Our team of experienced multidisciplinary engineers investigate and prepare lifting schemes and tailor-make solutions for complex lifting operations. Our range of lifting equipment includes bespoke gantry systems, hydraulic lift systems, modular tower systems and strand jack systems.

We believe that technology, design and ingenuity are essential requirements in providing customer-focused solutions that address the very specific challenges each project brings. The exclusive lifting equipment we've developed is the result of many years' experience and detailed research carried out by our engineering team at our Research and Development facility.

  • Uprighting of Columns, Chile Chimenea chile 2ALE was asked to undertake the uprighting of two columns at the Mejillones Power Plant in Antofagasta, Chile.

Load-in and Load-out

Having loaded-out more than 1,000 structures since the ‘80s, ALE is an authority on load-out systems for platforms and jackets. Our service allows modules to be transported hundreds of metres to the load-out quay so that several modules can be built at the fabrication facility without impeding access to the quay, and multiple load-outs can be executed from a single load-out point. The result is minimum site disruption and maximum efficiency. Alternatively, if there is an existing skidway, we can provide the strand jacking equipment required to pull equipment for load-out, where our high capacity ballast systems with manifold and integrated pipe can perform ballasting operations of up to 60,000te per hour.

 

 

  • BOS Shelf, Azerbaijan Load Out Baku ALE was awarded the contract to supply and operate an external barge ballast and de-ballast system for 6 jackets ranging from 14,000 to 18,000 tonnes as part of the ACG Full Field Development in the Caspian Sea.
[ Zoom ]
SJ 5-5 Loadout GA
[ Zoom ]
SJ 5-5 Loadout GA 2
[ Zoom ]
SJ 5-5 Bracket

Logistics

ALE’s logistics capabilities range from the support of single import/export jobs to complete end-to-end projects involving the transportation of complex freight items across some of the world’s harshest environments. We plan bespoke, multi-modal packages incorporating all the necessary services from our huge range to execute every delivery as expeditiously and cost-effectively as possible. All ALE departments and offices across the world work seamlessly to achieve this.

Our logistics projects include full ‘blueprint to delivery’ consultancy and all the necessary support services. We will handle, secure and supervise cargo, chartering marine vessels or aircraft and performing heavy lift engineering as necessary. We’ll also manage domestic and international road and rail freight both in and out of gauge, and take care of import and export customs management as part of our worldwide door-to-door service.

ALE offers a wide range of global logistical solutions, particularly for the multi-modal transportation of oversized and heavy cargos.  Our breadth of experience and large fleet of transporters and equipment gives us the ability to meet all customer requirements, no matter how challenging the project.

 

Skidding

ALE was the first company to design, develop and operate the hydraulic compensated skid-shoe system. Skid systems are designed to make precise horizontal movements, and as such are an effective means of moving plant and structures in confined or restricted environments. The movement equipment has hydraulic skid-shoes with stainless steel bases which move over low-friction blocks laid into steel skid-tracks. We can operate 25, 50, 300, 500, 650 and 1000te capacity skid-shoe systems, with the option of combining a number of skidshoes to create the most suitable system for moving complex loads. This has enabled us to load-out structures weighing more than 20,000te. The integral hydraulic cylinder of the skid shoes can be interlinked to provide a hydraulically compensated suspension system.

  • Estrecho de Paredes viaduct, Spain Skidding_viaduct ALE completed the launch of the Estrecho de Paredes viaduct, which bypasses the Estrecho de Paredes gorge and is part of a new highway in the province of Cuenca, Spain.

Transportation

With years of experience and one of the largest fleets of heavy transportation axles and ancillary equipment in the world, ALE is a globally renowned authority in moving heavy loads. Our substantial fleet of latest-generation equipment is operated by a team of highly trained personnel who maintain it to the highest standards. All equipment is strategically located around the world for maximum availability and to keep mobilisation costs to an absolute minimum.

ALE has pioneered the use of frame trailers in power plant equipment transportation. Our versatile fleet - developed and built in-house - can be configured to transport all types of generating equipment and to overcome route restrictions. Our SPMTs dominate the current generation of heavy transport equipment by combining state-of-the-art design with tried and tested components. These capabilities are further augmented by our considerable fleet of conventional modular trailers, which we frequently use for long-distance road movements.

  • Salalah Methanol Plant, Oman Transportation During the first six months of 2009, ALE received 30 heavy lift cargos from 10 ships at Salalah Port in the South of Oman.

Turnkey Projects

In recent years, major new projects have grown both in size and in the demands of the highest standards in performance. Such projects require activities spanning multiple disciplines such as sea transport, land transport, lifting and installation as well as significant human resources in HSQE, engineering, project management and supervision.

In order to meet these requirements we formed a dedicated projects team that has the human resources necessary to address the demands and challenges posed by major projects. The levels of management and business processes that are required in these projects are addressed in the training of our staff.

Our highly developed project management skills enable us to undertake high-value, long-term transportation and installation contracts that require multiple teams to work together to deliver optimum value and efficiency.

  • Transportation and barging of evaporators, UAE Turnkey projectsALE undertook a full turnkey project to transport, barge and install evaporators weighing 2,000te from Hamriayah to Fujairah in the UAE. The viaduct consists of two main sections with a total length of nearly 400 metres. The sections were...

Weighing

Weighing operations help us to ensure that work is carried out as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. With the ability to weigh structures from 10te to 40,000te, ALE performs weighing operations all over the world to internationally recognised standards, fabricating custom equipment as required. Specific calibrations are carried out prior to each weighing operation, either at our main equipment base in the UK or onsite using portable calibration rigs. We are then able to guarantee accuracy to plus or minus 0.5% of the total weight of any structure, and can calculate with precision the centre of gravity.

  • Turnkey operations in Tampico, Mexico TampicoALE has provided weighing services in central Mexico for a total weight of 92,945te, and is now established as the region's leading sub-contractor for load-out and weighing work.

Eco Metmast Installation (EMI)

ALE and Mercon have teamed up to introduce EMI. EMI is a new concept for installing metmasts offshore whereby the monopile foundation and metmast are installed in one single operation. EMI has been designed with respect to sea life and the environment while cutting costs substantially.

With EMI, no piles need to be driven for fixing the foundation to the seabed. This makes the installation very eco-friendly. The structure is being transported horizontally on a barge and upended to vertical position by a special frame. Next, the structure is lowered to the sea bottom where pumps are used to create an underpressure. In this way the lower part of the structure is sucked into the sea floor. This suction anchor technology keeps the structure in postion

Techincal features of EMI:

• Applicable for water depths up to approximately 45m.
• Can resist harsh North Sea Conditions.
• Suitable for various soil conditions such as sand and clay.
• Powered by its own solar panels and small wind turbines, so 100% green.
• Accessible by boat or heli winch.
• Maintenance frequency monopile every 5 years, metmast depending on specic design.
• Easy decommissioning and relocation.

For further information, please visit www.emi-wind.com

 

[ Zoom ]
EMI
[ Zoom ]
EMI2
[ Zoom ]
EMI3
[ Zoom ]
EMI4