 Strainstall have received an order from Intrepid Global Inc. for 24 compression load cells for a chain stopper application. These 300 tonne load cells were required following an inspection and report on 2 non-Strainstall load cells, which were found to be faulty. Strainstall were able to pinpoint the reason why they failed, and as a result received an order to replace the majority of the load cells they were using.
The chain stoppers are for Thunder Horse, the world's largest floating platform, which has been designed to process 250,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. Located 150 miles southeast of New Orleans, it is the biggest producer in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Thunder Horse field is one of the most technologically complex, in part because of the challenging deepwater environment. This means that the anchoring system is particularly crucial, so each chain stopper has been fitted with a load cell to enable real-time measurement of chain loads in the mooring lines. This will ensure that the tension in the chains remain within allowable limits, and remedial action taken if they become too slack or too strained. | 
