Energy Cranes introduces ECR 1200-R

Based in Houston, Energy Cranes’ manufacturing division has delivered the first of a new generation of purpose-designed ECR 1200-R fast-erecting offshore cranes to Energy Cranes’ rental division at Abbeville, LA.

The first model of the ECR 1200-R, a rental fleet crane designed to be erected offshore by four technicians in approximately 24 hours, will work in the Gulf of Mexico on Chevron's SMI-99 platform at South Marsh Island.

The ECR 1200-R is a high performance crane with a modular lattice boom building to 60, 80, 100 or 120 feet long and an off-board (dynamic) lift capacity of 55 tons. It is constructed to the latest API 2C specification, the company says. “This performance makes the ECR 1200-R ideally suited to compressor change-outs and to construction projects, such as installation of vessels or production skids,” said Energy Cranes rental manager Wayne “Chomp” Champagne.

Despite its impressive capacity, the heaviest component on the machine weighs less than 13 tons, and the new design emphasizes safety, performance and speed of erection. The ECR 1200-R is the result of a design partnership between Energy Cranes’ rental and manufacturing divisions in the US and the group's technical department in Aberdeen, Scotland. “This is the rental crane the industry has been shouting for,” Champagne said. “The ask was for a quick-build heavy-lifter which came in small packages that could themselves be lifted on board by existing on-board cranes or a lift boat. There simply isn't another rental crane like the ECR 1200-R operating in the Gulf - and the demand is reflected in the order backlog we already have for the crane.”

Energy Cranes manufacturing director Dave Cockburn said the company plans to build additional ECR 1200-Rs for its rental fleet. He said the company is also working on a non-modular variant, the EC 1200, for permanent installation on platforms and rigs.