Shell awards contract to Airborne for deepwater subsea TCP jumper spool qualification

IJMUIDEN, The Netherlands -- Airborne Oil & Gas, a manufacturer of Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP) has been awarded a qualification program from Shell for a high-pressure, deepwater TCP jumper spool. Its first application is anticipated in the Gulf of Mexico region. Tom Moroney, Shell’s V.P. of deepwater & wells technology commented: “Airborne Oil & Gas’ Flexible Composite Pipe is light weight and flexible, which could considerably help reduce the cost of subsea developments in deep waters. In addition, the high-pressure jumper spool represents a relevant step towards future deployment of Deepwater composite risers."

The TCP jumper spool will be manufactured using carbon fibre, and designed for application in depths greater than 2,000 m at pressures in excess of 10,000 psi. Gavin Leiper, V.P. of Airborne Oil & Gas North America, commented: “This is a fantastic step forward in our qualification and product portfolio. We are very pleased that Shell have recognized the opportunity that our cost effective technology brings to the full operational life-cycle of subsea field infrastructures. We are looking forward to working closely with the Shell Technology Centers in Houston and Amsterdam, as we deliver this exciting product to the market.”

The qualification program will be performed at the Airborne Oil & Gas manufacturing facility in IJmuiden, The Netherlands, and be completed by summer 2017.