Decom invests over $1 million to develop largest subsea Chopsaw

(WO) – Decom Engineering has invested more than £1 million ($1.09 million) to develop its largest Chopsaw to date in response to client demand for larger sized subsea pipe-cutting capability.

The C1-46 Chopsaw has been designed to cut tubulars and other materials up to 46”, and its innovative design is able to cut a wide range of materials, including inconel alloys, duplex and concrete.

It can be operated in water depths of up to 2,000 m and is currently deployed on its first project on behalf of a global energy company on a UK North Sea workscope, which involves cutting large surface laid pipelines (36") with 57mm concrete coating, along with other large pipelines.

With the ability to cut in any orientation, the C1-46 is capable of multiple cuts per blade (20-100), resulting in large cost savings and increased efficiency. Blade changes are efficient, safe and the Chopsaw can be supplied set up in a number of configurations and settings to suit project requirements.

Multiple lifting points located around the tool allow a highly versatile angle of deployment and an array of cuts can be completed whilst subsea or held in wet storage, without returning to the surface. The Tungsten Carbide Tipped saw, which can be operated topside or by ROV (with hot stab capability), is highly adaptable to suit challenging surroundings and varied structures.

Established in the United Kingdom in 2011, Decom is an R&D specialist focusing on the design and fabrication of cutting solutions and innovative decommissioning equipment, with a growing reputation for providing complex deep water project solutions.

Decom Engineering managing director, Sean Conway, said, “Decom is focused on supporting clients in solving their problems by asking how we can do more. This flagship product is designed for large subsea cutting operations and can cut through tough exotic materials and thick coatings with ease, while maintaining clean cuts for easy access to flush pipelines or recycle pipes.

“The saw clamps are designed to penetrate into the sea bed/sediment and to minimize the need for trenching.”

In recent months, other Chopsaws in the C1 range have been deployed on a number of complex projects in West Africa, Mauritania, Gulf of Thailand, Norway and the UKCS.