New gear for Asian rigs

, the Huddersfield-based manufacturer of engineering products, has secured orders to supply over 200 pinions for offshore mobile oil and gas platforms in Asia.

The seven-tooth pinions have a diameter of 0.93m and weigh approximately two tonnes each. The platforms will use GustoMSC CJ 46 jack-up rigs that are driven by a rack and pinion type jacking system and secured by a fixation system.

There will be 54 pinion units per rig, with six jacking units assembled in the structure engaging with three racks of jack-up legs. The pinions are driven through an input system and planetary gearbox via an electric motor.

The pinions will be manufactured at David Brown’s Park Gear Works in the UK and shipped to Indonesia for assembly. The company has completed the initial phase of the contract and has reported an order to supply pinions for another two rigs.