Marsol International Launches Emergency Intertidal Support Capabilities

Marsol International Ltd, a Dubai-based global marine solutions provider focused on the offshore oil terminal market and related infrastructure, has launched a specialist Emergency Pipeline Repair Service (EPRS) to safeguard shallow water intertidal zones.

EPRS has been developed over the last six years to service all types of environmental situations and geotechnical configurations, to address the inherent challenge of accessing delicate areas not normally serviced from sea or shore.

Marsol International has worked with various partners to develop multipurpose tools and equipment which offer functionality and versatility resulting from the company’s experience in developing specialist diver operated equipment, capable of work in dry areas, the intertidal zone and subsea.

Pipeline in intertidal zone

Mike Young, managing director of Marsol International, explains: “Marsol has a strong team of engineers who understand first-hand the real-life scenarios on a busy oil export hub. We have identified a need to offer an emergency service to protect pipelines in shallow waters, and we have the skills and equipment to manage the challenges intertidal zones present, such as shifting sands and tides. Marsol has worked to develop sophisticated support assets such as Rhino craft and Versadock – products that have been tried and tested in hostile and difficult environments.

“Should a pipeline require repair, time is of the essence. Safeguarding against environmental damage, minimizing the impact on production and ultimately protecting company reputation is vital - EPRS offers an experienced team who can act fast. That said, we firmly believe that prevention is better than cure, so Marsol also offers a pre-emptive Pipeline Integrity Management service to ensure all bases are covered.”

Due to various clients’ requests for a turnkey solution, EPRS has been launched to best service the needs of a niche market in the environmentally delicate intertidal zone. This requires a different, but complementary, skill set from subsea or deepwater pipeline repair. It will utilize the company’s experienced offshore terminal and marine workforce to locate and stabilize the ground to access damaged pipelines in the intertidal zone, and to implement the requisite pipeline repair. Repair scenarios such as pipeline rupture, pin-hole leak, dents and buckles, internal and external pipeline pitting and problems due to corrosion are considered pipeline emergencies.

EPRS will be driven by the nature of the pipeline failure or damage, the pipeline size and specification, as well as the site location and offers a complete range of specialized equipment required to work in intertidal zones - including multi-purpose amphibious units, amphibious excavators, modular trench shoring systems and all-terrain/amphibious personnel carriers.

Since 2005, based on experienced gained over 46 years, Marsol International has provided operational engineering and management solutions to clients, consultants and EPC contractors for new offshore terminal facilities, and operational integrity management and IRM services of existing facilities to offshore terminal owners and operators.