Underwater Cutting

At Bluegrass, we understand tough working conditions add an additional layer of complexity to any underwater cutting project. Which is why we meet these difficulties with innovation propelled by in-the-trenches experience and collaboration with in-house CNC machinists. The integrity of our committed professionals means technicians work with one another to create a detailed, organized plan for success. Bluegrass delivers on its promise for creating a project-specific solution by customizing robust equipment for each underwater cutting project.

Diamond Wire Sawing Technology

Experience gained from 10,000 successful projects has made Bluegrass an innovator and world leader in diamond wire sawing technology. We have an inventory of over 40 wire saws, along with a capability to produce or modify saws for specific cuts. This enables Bluegrass to successfully perform unique underwater cutting projects that can meet each and every project specification.

Bluegrass recently engineered multiple underwater cutting solutions for an offshore decommissioning project in the Gulf of Mexico. The scope of the project included an oil rig decommissioning, barge retrofit and rig removal requiring multiple underwater cutting techniques applied to well heads, pipes and pipe legs.

While aboard an offshore platform, Bluegrass metal cutting specialists completed several underwater cuts using a single diamond wire at an average depth of 125 feet. These underwater cuttings were made to conductors, pipes and pipe legs. A few of these cuts included:

• 18 underwater cuts with a dimension of 33 inches to a conductor
• 4 underwater cuts with a dimension of 44 inches to a conductor
• 1 underwater cut with a dimension of 44 inches to a pipe leg

As with most offshore decommissioning work, underwater cutting solutions have to be created with time constraints in mind. During that same oil rig decommissioning in the Gulf of Mexico, Bluegrass was able to use underwater cutting techniques to make quick, efficient work of the project. Using a single wire, Bluegrass metal cutting contractors successfully performed a 20 inch double wall leg cut in 45 minutes.

Customizing equipment that meets project and customer requirements ensures success. Contact Bluegrass to learn more about unique underwater cutting solutions for any offshore decommissioning, as well as our extensive work in controlled demolition caress a variety of industries including nuclear, outage, and industrial environments.