Customized subsea technology used in Western Australia pipeline repair

ABERDEEN -- Engineering teams from UK-based subsea connector specialists Hydratight and Norwegian technologists Connector Subsea Solutions (CSS) have completed a major deepwater pipeline repair in Western Australia.

A 4-in. MEG line owned by a major-NOC required urgent repair. It was pressure rated to 400 bar and was located at 830 m, so required a customized solution. The international team designed, manufactured and installed a diverless Structural Deepwater Pipeline Repair Clamp for the project.

Prior to installation of the clamp, CSS and Hydratight also prepared the pipe using a new, high-performance ROV-based Coating Removal Tool.

James Rowley, Global Subsea Market Development Manager, Hydratight, said: “Projects at such subsea depths require comprehensive pre-planning, strong cooperation between contractors and clarity with the operator. We have managed to lower operational costs and installation times by removing the activation system into a separate retrievable tool.”

Pål Magne Hisdal, Chairman of Connector Subsea Solutions, added: “There is a growing trend of utilizing new methods to repair pipelines in deepwater and ultra-deepwater scenarios.

“We are proud of our success with Hydratight and we expect a growing demand for this latest service as subsea assets age and require effective repair.”

After successful testing and real-life completion for a major NOC, the companies can offer similar services worldwide to increase the lifespan of subsea installations. The clamps are DNV approved and will last up to 25 years in service.

The clamp has been designed without the use of bolt tensioning to activate. All activation technologies and hydraulics are in an external installation tool, which is removed on completion. This significantly reduces the overall weight of the equipment left as a permanent repair on the pipe, lowering project time and costs.