In Fort McMurray, at one of Canada's largest oil sands sites, Mammoet carried out an extraordinary lifting operation focused on handling very heavy loads at great heights. The project involved replacing eight coke drums, each weighing 270 tons, measuring nearly 30 meters in height and 7.9 meters in diameter.
These pieces of equipment, located at the heart of the upgrading unit, imposed severe constraints in terms of reach, stability, and precision. Beyond the unit weight, the technical challenge lay in the vertical lifting of loads, millimeter-precise alignment, and coexistence with existing structures reaching several tens of meters in height.
To meet these challenges, Mammoet mobilized the PTC210DS ring crane, one of the most powerful in its fleet. Its capacity enabled it to lift not only the coke drums, but also the associated derricks, including a supermodule weighing over 1, 200 tons. Thanks to its exceptional reach, the crane was able to operate remotely while maintaining hook heights compatible with the installation of components reaching nearly 30 meters.
The operations also relied on heavy ground logistics. The coke drums and derrick sections were moved using SPMTs, capable of supporting and transporting high concentrated loads, before being picked up by the crane. SPMTs operating continuously ensured that the lifting area was supplied without interruption.
Faced with an increase in the mass of one of the supermodules, Mammoet reconfigured the PTC210DS with a double masthead, increasing the capacity under hook at long reach. A specific configuration, designed and manufactured for the project, ensured optimal distribution of forces on these loads.
