UT3 April May 2014

Subsea Processing Pipelines

THE MAGAZINE OF THE SOCIETY FOR UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGYUT2 April May 2014 Contents April May 2014

4 News Potiguar, SNP, DeepOcean, NaKika Phase 3, , McDermott, , OneSubsea, Canadian UT2 Contract, Worlds Largest Cranes, Jangkrik, EMAS April May 2014 AMC, Cameron, Aker/, DOF, Seven Arctic 10 Vessels A Meteoric Rise, Decommissioning on Gomez 14 Equipment Aquatic’s First Carousel Project, Proserv Controls, NASNet, Trelleborg DBRM

16 Pipelines NordStream Extension, South Stream, Subsea Processing Pipelines 1 20 Subsea Gas Ormen Lange, Asgard, Gullfaks Compression THE MAGAZINE OF THE SOCIETY FOR UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGYUT2 April May 2014 The Lewek Connector 24 Geotechnical New Generation Geotechnical Surveys using Image: EMAS AMC Survey ROV-Deployed geet ROV System 26 Equipment 4000m Depth rating for 2D Sonar, MSM Vol 9 No 2 Environmental Protection, Applied Acoustics/iXBlue link, FLEXUS, Saturn Family of Fog-based AHRS and Society for Underwater INS Systems, Tritech Starfish for Z-Boat, Integrated Technology HD Pan and Tilt Camera, Unmanned Seabed 1 Fetter Lane Surveyor, 6th Gen Camera, Horn Shark London EC4A 1BR 32 ROVs Technology and Tradgedy: Bringing Closure to +44 (0) 1480 370007 Families, Panther to Bluestream

38 Simulation Project Simulation, EX Mate, Fallpipe Vessel Simulator, Editor: John Howes Cable Enterprise [email protected] 41 SUT Adapting & Optimising Subsea Pipeline Design for Editorial Assistant: Challenging Seabeds, Inhibitor Dosage Rates and Eileen Dover Corrosion - A CFD Model Investigating Inhibitor Sub Editor Over-Dosing and Increased Corrosion Rates in Subsea Laura Howes

Pipelines, Development of Diving, Yesterday to Today, Production: , Subsea Awareness Course at TAMU, Sue Denham Open Access to Underwater Technology 43UT2 University Pipeline Pigging New Feature ISSN: 1752-0592

Published by UT2 Publishing for and on behalf of the Society for Underwater Technology. Reproduction of UT2 in whole or in part, without permission, is prohibited. The publisher and the SUT assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material, nor responsibility for content of any advertisement, particularly infringement of copyrights, trademarks, intellectual property rights and patents, nor liability for misrepresentations, false or misleading statements and illustrations. These are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of the SUT or the publishers.

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 News

Potiguar Na Kika Phase 3 Petrobras has discovered oil (24º API), in the Potiguar BP has commenced production from Na Kika Phase 3. The Basin. The well, informally referred to as Pitu, is located project includes the drilling and completion of the two new at a water depth of 1731m, 55km off the coast of the wells, the addition of subsea infrastructure to tieback to the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Na Kika platform and new equipment to allow increased Pore to Process Optimization. production from an existing well at the site. It will use available The well reached the total depth of 5353m and production capacity at the Na Kika hub. detected a hydrocarbon column of 188m. Na Kika Phase 3 is BP’s third new major upstream project to What’s it worth to you? l begin production so far in 2014, following the earlier start-ups Brazil of the Chirag Oil project in Azerbaijan and the Mars B project in the . BP expects to start-up a further three upstream projects through the rest of 2014. Pitu l 2500m 2000m 1500m 1000m

Pemex

The Pitu well SNP Murphy has produced first oil from the Siakap North- Petai (SNP) development offshore Malaysia. The SNP field is located in a water depth of approximately 4400ft. Na Kika Phase 3 The overall field development plan consists of eight producing wells and five water injection wells tied back to the Kikeh Floating Production Storage and Petrobras Offloading (FPSO) vessel. Peak gross production from Aker Solutions has won a contract worth more than US$300 the field is expected to reach 35 000 barrels of oil per million from Petrobras to supply eight manifolds that alter- day in mid-2014. nately inject water and gas to increase oil recovery from Brazil’s deepwater offshore fields. Murphy expects to bring its Dalmatian subsea development onstream imminently. First natural gas/ The subsea manifolds, designed for water depths of 2500m, condensate production is scheduled later this month will be installed by Petrobras and its partners in deepwater with a second well to follow later in the third quarter pre-salt field developments. The units have a design life of OneSubsea Integrated Solutions: a one-system approach for optimized subsea fi eld development. 30 years and the first is scheduled to be delivered in 2016.

™ DeepOcean “We are pleased to work with Petrobras on its important and From the early concept phase of subsea developments to brownfi eld rejuvenation, OneSubsea DeepOcean has entered into a 7-year charter technically challenging pre-salt developments,” said Øyvind integrates technologies from the reservoir sand face through the well completion and subsea agreement with Maersk, for a new build next generation Eriksen, executive chairman of Aker Solutions. “Brazil is a production system to the export point. Our Petrotechnical, Production Assurance and Early cable lay vessel. The vessel is the DOC 8500, a Damen key market for our subsea technology and one of the fastest- AD00642OSS Offshore Carrier which has been designed specifically growing areas in the oil and gas industry.” Engineering teams will collaborate with you to address challenges and identify optimum Pore to to suit DeepOcean’s requirements. Process™ development scenarios. Through early and continuous engagement, we provide you The order will be executed by Aker Solutions’ Brazilian The DOC 8500 will extend DeepOcean’s capabilities in subsea division. The unit last year began work to double with an integrated, comprehensive life-of-fi eld solution designed to optimize production and the larger cable laying end of the market, representing its subsea equipment manufacturing capacity at a plant in enhance recovery. 4 a new focus on Interconnector projects, in addition to Curitiba by 2015. About 70% of the contract with Petrobras oil and gas sector and renewables work. The specially will be procured and manufactured in Brazil. Learn more about our unique, unrivaled approach at www.onesubsea.com/optimization equipped vessel will be delivered from the Damen Galati yard in Romania. The manifolds will play a key part in the crucial injection process that helps improve recovery from the fields. Owned and operated by Maersk Supply Service, the

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014

ONESUB-175_IntegratedSolutions_UT2.indd 1 4/10/14 11:37 AM vessel will become the latest addition to the 60‐plus strong Maersk offshore support vessel fleet.

McDermott McDermott’s dive support vessel (DSV) Thebaud Sea was recently mobilised for an emergency pipeline repair intervention, offshore United Arab Emirates. This is the third time in recent months that the DSV has been fast-tracked to carry out an emergency response. Project News

“Pipeline failures can often result in significant production loss, which is why reaction speed to these cases is critical,” explained Scott Cummins, Executive Vice President, Offshore. Jangkrik World’s Largest Cranes “The pipeline must be safely isolated and then Operator has announed Tripatra Engineers & be built at the HHI yard in Technip will also carry out stabilised before any repairs can be executed, to Huisman has received a letter of intent for the delivery a number of contracts for Constructors and Chiyoda. South Korea. the installation of 51km of ensure the safety of the diver and the environment.” of world’s largest cranes for Heerema’s planned new the Jangkrik field, located umbilicals, five manifolds semi-submersible . offshore Indonesia in the The consortium will also be Delivery is scheduled to and seven subsea isolation Muara Bakau Block, east of responsible for installation of take place in 34 months. valves (SSIV) subsea The two cranes will be built by the Huisman production Kalimantan Beach. the mooring system as well Once installed at the field, structures and associated facility in China. The final decision to build this new as hook-up, commissioning the FPU will be capable of flying leads. semi-submersible crane vessel will be made by Eni awarded the $1.1billion and startup assistance. processing 450MMft/3d of Heerema before the end of this year. engineering, procurement, Fabrication of the topsides gas and condensate. The project is scheduled construction and installation will take place at Saipem’s to be completed in early The cranes will have a lifting capacity of contract for the floating Karimun Island yard in l Technip was awarded 2017. The flexible pipes 10 000mt at a radius of 48m. These cranes will be tub production unit (FPU) to Indonesia, while the hull will the contract for the will be manufactured at mounted. Unlike traditional tub cranes which make use a Saipem-led consortium engineering, procurement, Technip’s Asiaflex Products of either bogies or large wheels for their slew system, consisting of Hyundai Heavy commissioning and plant in Tanjung Langsat, Thebaud Sea the Huisman cranes will employ large bearings of their Industries (HHI) and a joint installation of 36km of Johor, Malaysia. Technip’s own design, manufactured in-house. venture between Saipem, flexible risers and flowlines S-Lay and heavy-lift vessel, With the support of in-house offshore resources, with diameters ranging from G1201, and its multipurpose McDermott engineering teams have completed This technique represents a step change in the crane 4in–14in; 195km of pipeline installation and construction several EPRS studies on behalf of a number of industry, and was previously used successfully on the with diameter of 4in–24in vessel, the Deep Orient, will clients. For each repair scenario, an individually 5000mt offshore mast crane for the Seven Borealis and and subsea equipment. This be used for the installation. tailored solution was delivered to cater to specific the 4000mt offshore mast crane for Heerema’s Aegir. includes mid-water arch and emergency responses to pipeline damage. flowline end termination. l FMC Technologies will The use of bearings on the new 10 000mt cranes supply subsea systems instead of the traditional slew systems allows for very for Jangkrik. The order Subsea 7 accurate control of the slewing motion of the crane and has an estimated value of Subsea 7 has been awarded a lump sum contract requires very little maintenance. $720 million. FMC’s scope valued at approximately $110 million by Shell for the of supply includes subsea installation of jumpers, umbilicals and associated Another large benefit of using the bearing is a very trees, manifolds, jumpers subsea structures for the BC-10 Phase 3 project in significant weight saving. The slew bearings of these and connection systems, the Campos Basin offshore Brazil. cranes will have a diameter of 30m. umbilicals, tooling and associated topside and Project management and engineering will be The two cranes will each be able to lift 10 000mt at 48m subsea controls systems. performed from Subsea 7’s offices in Rio de radius in offshore conditions. The cranes further feature Janeiro and will commence in early 2014, with the a 2500t auxiliary hoist and a whip hoist with a maximum offshore campaign starting in Q3 2015. It will used reach of 155m. The main hoist, in a reduced reeving, the construction/flexlay vessel theSkandi Neptune. can lift 1000t to 1000m water depth and is fitted with The project has a total duration of approximately active heave compensation. two years.

OneSubsea OneSubsea has shipped its 100th subsea tree from its manufacturing facility at Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor, Malaysia. The state-of-the-art facility has been operating since 2007, providing subsea systems, valves and trees across the globe. The first subsea tree manufactured at the Johor facility was shipped in 2008.

Canadian Contract 6 Subsea 7 has been awarded a US$75 million three-year subsea construction services contract by ExxonMobil Canada Properties. The contract supports the Hebron heavy oil field development, New semi-submersible crane vessel located in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin 350 kilometres southeast of St. John’s, Canada. Vilje Sør being developed from Alvheim

The contract scope includes the project management, engineering and installation of two UT2Offshore April Loading May 2014Systems in a water depth of 92m. UT2 April May 2014 a32084 A4 Ad DR 18/10/2013 15:35 Page 1

EMAS AMC EMAS AMC has been awarded FPSO mooring repair work in West , while in Asia, it will carry out the installation of flowlines, associated pipeline end DRILLING RISERS terminations (PLETs ) and spools in working water depths of up to 1400m. Work for these projects (DRIL-ING RAHY-ZERZ) Leader will be managed from EMAS AMC’s and Singapore offices.

EMAS Marine added contracts for offshore support ENVIRONMENTAL DRILLING work in Malaysia, Thailand and Australia with the deployment of two anchor handling tug and supply BARRIER AVAILABLE FROM CLAXTON vessels and one platform supply vessel. Seven Arctic IN A VAST RANGE OF PRESSURE AND The Group’s order book currently stands at above US$2 billion. Subsea 7 has revealed the specifications for its CONNECTION CONFIGURATIONS. new generation heavy construction vessel (HCV), In a separate announcement, the Group’s associated which is to be named the Seven Arctic. The vessel company, EOC, announced a US$100 million is being built in South Korea for delivery in 2016, award for the Lewek Conqueror, a hook up and and is designed in direct response to demand maintenance accommodation barge, for work in for larger vessels with higher capabilities to With more riser system options than anyone else South East Asia. execute complex projects more quickly and cost- and a comprehensive variety of joint connection effectively. options, Claxton is the number one supplier of drilling risers for sale or rent in the North Sea. Cameron The new HCV will be equipped with a 325mt top This best-in-class approach to the subsea service Cameron has received an order from Freeport- tension Huisman vertical pipelay system, a 7000t market is just one example of how we're defining, McMoRan to supply a 25 000psi preventer MAATS underdeck basket for storage of flexible shaping and leading subsea services. stack and 25 000 psi manifold. pipe/umbilical and a newly designed 900mt Huisman rope-Luffing knuckle-boom crane. Learn more about our drilling risers at Cameron delivered the industry’s first and only www.acteon.com/drillingrisers 135/8in 25 000 psi blowout preventer to Freeport The Huisman rope-luffing knuckle-boom crane is McMoRan in 2011. After successful and extensive a development of the Huisman pedestal mounted use in the Gulf of Mexico, Freeport McMoRan has offshore crane and offshore mast crane and uses decided to place this second order with Cameron for an innovative (for offshore applications) knuckling high pressure activity planned to begin in 2015. system on the main boom which is actuated using wire ropes rather than hydraulic cylinders. Cameron has now sold four 20 000-plus psi blow out preventers, establishing ourselves as a proven The design maintains knuckle boom functionality DEFINING SUBSEA SERVICES leader in this emerging market.” for offshore construction activity while not suffering the weight penalty and the associated impact on ship stability when operating conventional knuckle Aker Solutions/Saipem boom crane designs. The result is a crane that is In the Republic of Congo, Saipem has been awarded highly versatile and efficient and can be used in a contract by Aker Solutions for the fabrication of 300t, 600t or 900t modes. subsea structures, including suction anchors, for the Moho project. This project will use local fabrication The crane’s large lift capacity is matched by its capabilities that Saipem has developed over the unrivalled 58m radius, which allows it to move years with its Boscongo Yard in Pointe Noire, in line equipment from every corner of the deck. These with its proven strategy of maximizing local content. different modes of operation give flexibility for everyday use, combined with the capability for larger lifts. DOF DOF Subsea has entered into an agreement with The preliminary vessel design was conducted Otto Candies for the charter of the Jones Act jointly with Wärtsilä Ship Design , while compliant vessel ROSS Candies for a firm period of the detailed design and construction will be one year. The charter period commenced mid-March completed by South Korean company Hyundai 2014, with the intent to use the vessel to support Heavy Industries (HHI). operations for existing North American clients in the GOM.

Upon the completion of the ROV and survey spread mobilisation, the Ross Candies is committed to undertake some light construction and IMR projects for different clients, as a replacement vessel for the Harvey Deep-Sea which is now committed for the next 5 months.

88 In addition, DOF Subsea Survey and Positioning has been awarded a Master Service Agreement extension of 2 years with Seaway Heavy Lifting for the provision of positioning services onboard its Stanislav Yudin and Oleg Strashnov crane vessels. Seven Arctic

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 A Rising Star

Constellation

EMAS AMC has been recently It is perhaps worth remembering just were able to demonstrate to operators, Some time before the AMC takeover, progressively win more contracts assets, continue executing work and selected by Noble Energy to how far the company has progressed in and Noble in particular, that we could EMAS had already taken the and plan for the future, EMAS AMC begin securing new work immediately. perform the offshore installation of a short time. Only a few years ago, the deliver their projects under challenging strategic decision to build the Lewek recognised a potential capability gap Importantly, it would give EMAS AMC pipelines, umbilicals and ancillary Singapore-based company, EMAS, was circumstances.” Constellation. This required a huge between its first pipelay vessel, the experience and a track record for equipment for the Gunflint project in primarily a marine support contractor investment and a strategic plan that Lewek Champion, and the new, world- reeled piplelay. the Mississippi Canyon area of the and employed fewer than 100 people “Most of the overall installation work on essentially determined EMAS AMC’s class Lewek Constellation. US Gulf of Mexico in water depths in involved in the subsea construction Tamar had already been completed. path. The Ingleside spoolbase has been excess of 2000m. and installation sector. However, the Our final part in the operation involved The stars aligned when the Houston- critical to EMAS AMC’s expansion management had a clear vision of what tying all the wells together by laying During the four years while the based subsea contractor Helix ESG in the Gulf of Mexico market. For The Gunflint field is being developed as they wanted to do and what it would over 300kms of main control umbilicals, flagship vessel was being designed made a strategic decision of its own similar reasons, the company is now a tieback to the existing Gulfstar Spar take to achieve this. 30kms of infield umbilicals and all and built, the company would need which was ideally suited to EMAS constructing a sister base in Norway to moored over the Tubular Bells field. the associated hardware to begin to establish a track record, generate AMC’s plans. Helix had decided support its North Sea operations. A pivotal event occurred in 2011, production. This was a challenging an economy of scale and bring in the to divest its subsea construction This project is a significant milestone when EMAS purchased Aker Marine job since the Tamar umbilical was one highly specialised talent needed to business unit to concentrate on the Of the two floating assets, the key as it will be the first pipelay project Contractors (AMC) to form the new of the longest subsea tiebacks in the take the company forward. well intervention sector. addition was the reel lay vessel Helix for EMAS AMC’s giant flagship EMAS AMC. Since then, the company world. The work also involved installing Express. This vessel had extremely vessel the Lewek Constellation. has expanded globally, further investing a 328t manifold which was very close to “These things don’t just fall from the EMAS AMC quickly started a dialogue good market recognition and thus, the The newly acquired EMAS Marine in key people and a world-class fleet the limit of the Boa SubC’s cranes.” sky!” said D’Cort. “Our intent was to with Helix and picked up the three vessel was simply renamed the Lewek Base in Ingleside, Texas will be with a broad range of capabilities. try and stay below the radar, steadily major physical assets that Helix wished Express. used to provide turnkey engineering “The national government was exerting building on our capabilities and to dispose of – two construction fabrication and delivery of various “In addition to an instantly respected pressure on our client to bring the field determining what would be required vessels and the spoolbase in The second floating asset was the subsea structures. and recognised name in the world of on-stream so it was very important to to get us to where we needed to be, Ingleside, Texas. deep water S-lay vessel Caesar. subsea engineering, the AMC takeover successfully execute the final piece by the time the Lewek Constellation At the time, she was working as an This includes, PLETS, jumpers and was significant in more ways than one,” of this project. We like to believe the was completed. In addition, we had Along with the assets, EMAS AMC was accommodation/support vessel in pipe stalking as an integrated service said D’Cort. close relationship we built with Noble, to establish a strong position in the able to transition many of Helix’s key Mexico. EMAS AMC brought the vessel to the client, and fabrication of under those circumstances, was a key marketplace.” technical and operational employees back to the Ingleside facility, and various subsea structures. “While carrying out legacy work using contributor to this subsequent pipelay to its own growing workforce. This carried out a major re-fit to return it to the Boa Sub-C on Noble’s Tamar field in contract,” said D’Cort. As the new company began to enabled EMAS AMC to take over the pipelay service, renaming it the Lewek The Lewek Constellation will install the in late 2011, we Centurion. rigid pipe via the reel lay method using its unique transportable reel From the time they were taken over, concept to save offshore installation both vessels have been continually time. Meanwhile, the Lewek Express, working. After a pipelay campaign in the Lewek Falcon and the Lewek the North Sea for the past 6 months, Toucan will install umbilicals and the Lewek Centurion has now arrived in subsea hardware. Singapore, to begin a project in China. There, she will carry out installation “Awarding us this key contract work on the Liwan field In the South demonstrates inspired faith by Noble China Sea, ’s largest Energy and represents an enormous development to date and the first step forward in our evolution” said deepwater gas project offshore China. CJ D’Cort, EMAS AMC’s chief executive officer. Meanwhile, ahead of the operational introduction of the Lewek Constellation, “This award is a strong testament to the Lewek Express has been steadily the growth and current capabilities of building the strategically important EMAS AMC and that our combined rigid reel lay track record by working engineering and asset capabilities, on multiple deepwater pipelay projects including our flagship construction in the Gulf of Mexico, She has just vessel Lewek Constellation, are being completed the pipelay campaign endorsed by the subsea industry to for Vaalco offshore Gabon ahead of execute challenging subsea projects schedule. 101021 anywhere in the world. 11 “At the moment we have a “This project stands as the latest and considerably more balanced portfolio one of the most important milestones of enabling assets, located worldwide,” in our journey so far.” said D’Cort. “We can now offer two

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Lewek Constellation

The newbuild Lewek Constellation embodies the pole star around which many of EMAS AMC’s long-term aspirations revolve. She not only has deepwater multi-lay capabilities, but the 3000t mast crane located aft also gives her a useful heavy lift facility.

The DP3 ice-classed vessel has a length of 178m and a 46m breadth. It has a draught of 9.75m, a 18 000t deadweight and a gross tonnage of 48 500t. The high manoeuvrability is achieved by four stern tunnel thrusters, three bow tunnel thrusters and a pair of retractable thrusters. These also give it a high transit speed between jobs.

The pipelay system can support both rigid and flex lay through the central moonpool. The system can lay 4–16in diameter rigid pipe and 4–24in flexible pipe with the aid of two retractable 400t tower tensioners.

The vessel has a deck area of around 4200m2, giving it a high storage capacity. It can accommodate four 1200t reels of rigid pipe or two 1250t carousels of flexible pipe. The deck strength is 10t/m2.

The Lewek Constellation is currently in China where the crane is being installed. After final commissioning, she will leave at the end of May for Singapore to take in stores. She will then sail around the Cape, arriving in Gabon for its maiden heavy lift operation.

Last August, Vaalco awarded EMAS work on the expansion of the Etame Marin Field Offshore Gabon. As part of this, the Lewek Constellation will install the field’s two fixed production platforms. The rigid pipes were already successfully installed in March by the Lewek Express.

Once completed, the Constellation will set sail to Huisman’s yard in The Netherlands for installation of the pipelay equipment. She will then be off to the Gulf of Mexico for her first pipelay campaign, setting the course for EMAS AMC’s next growth and evolution cycle.

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 EMAS_UT2_Magazine_OTC_HOU_2014_1.1print.pdf 1 4/16/14 10:09 AM

If you’re in Deepwater… You need the Subsea Tie-back Specialists

reel lay vessels (Lewek Constellation While it is important to fully understand many of EMAS AMC’s long-term and Lewek Express), two heavy what we can do, it is equally (if not aspirations revolve. She not only has lift vessels (Lewek Constellation more) important, to understand what deepwater multi-lay capabilities, but and Lewek Champion), two S-lay we cannot and should not do as a the 3000t mast crane located aft also vessels, (Lewek Centurion and company or contractor.” gives her a useful heavy lift facility. Lewek Champion) and two subsea, umbilicals, risers and flowlines “I have always upheld the philosophy The DP3 ice-classed vessel has a (SURF) vessels, the Lewek Connector that EMAS AMC should carve out its length of 178m and a 46m breadth. and the Boa Sub-C. This gives us a own identity rather than aspire to be It has a draught of 9.75m, a 18,000t redundancy in our capabilities that like anyone else’s,” said D’Cort. “We deadweight and a gross tonnage of clients typically appreciate. prefer to set our own direction and offer 48,500t. The high manoeuvrability our clients a distinct value they are not is achieved by four stern tunnel “We now have a total of 13 assets getting elsewhere. thrusters, three bow tunnel thrusters as well as an onshore workforce of and a pair of retractable thrusters. around 1000 divided equally over We are a very agile company, able These also give it a high transit our three main offices in Norway, to move swiftly when needed and speed between jobs. Houston and Singapore. This enables be flexible. What we lack in size, we us to fully leverage on the very make up for by being responsive and The pipelay system can support

different business cultures that exist understanding and anticipating our both rigid and flex lay through the C in Europe, the US and Far East.” clients’ needs. central moonpool. The system can lay 4–16” diameter rigid pipe in and M

“Several years ago we recognised 4–24’ flexible pipe with the aid of two Y 4 Year Plan deepwater subsea tiebacks as an retractable 400t tower tensioners. By the time the Lewek Constellation emerging global industry segment. CM

begins operation, EMAS AMC will be About 18 months ago, we began to The vessel has a deck area MY 4 years old. see that this emerging market also of around 4200m2, giving it a closely matched our engineering high storage capacity. It can CY

“I see it as a bit like preparing for the skills, construction fleet and asset accommodate four 1200t reels of CMY Olympics,” said D’Cort. “When the capabilities, but the company was rigid pipe or two 1250t carousels of new vessel comes into operation, we still discovering itself and much of flexible pipe. The deck strength is K will have spent the past four years the focus was directed towards the 10t/m2. training, conditioning and preparing Lewek Constellation. Earlier this year, ourselves to get to the starting line however, the company began to look The Lewek Constellation is currently and we will be challenging to win ‘post-Constellation’ to a strategic vision in China where the crane is being ourselves some medals.” – namely.... to be the premier subsea installed. After final commissioning, tieback contractor in the global SURF she will leave at the end of May for But where will this lead? industry. Singapore to take in stores. She will then sail around the Cape, arriving From an industry perspective, EMAS “That doesn’t mean that we want to be in Gabon for its maiden heavy lift AMC is presently perceived as a the biggest or the largest,” explained operation. tier 2 company. Will the addition D’Cort. “We merely aim to build a of the Lewek Constellation be the reputation as the premier contractor Last August, Vaalco awarded EMAS catalyst that could eventually take the for subsea tiebacks to support our work on the expansion of the Etame company into the top tier? clients seamlessly and more efficiently Marin Field Offshore Gabon. As part as these developments become more of this, the Lewek Constellation will “In the short to medium term this complex and go into deeper waters.” install the field’s two fixed production would be an unrealistic target,” platforms. The rigid pipes were said D’Cort. As a young company, “This will likely form the backbone already successfully installed in this simply does not feature in our of our next four year plan. Even with March by the Lewek Express ahead immediate objectives. a company of currently only 1000 of schedule. The deeper offshore you go, the more you need the personnel, it is a quite realistic vision The top tier companies such as and something that we should be Once completed, Constellation will advanced subsea tie-back resources of EMAS AMC. Saipem, Technip and Subsea 7 able to achieve in a relatively short set sail to Huisman’s yard in The are considerably larger in terms of time. Especially if we continue to Netherlands for installation of the From strategically located spoolbase and fabrication 12 asset base, and their workforce is progressively evolve,” he concluded. pipelay equipment. She will then larger in multiples of ten times.” said be off to the Gulf of Mexico for facilities to state-of-the-art reel-lay, S-lay and flex-lay D’Cort. “These companies are far her first pipelay campaign, setting more established and can carry out a The newbuild Lewek Constellation EMAS AMC on course for their next vessels, we can deliver the complete subsea tie-back much larger scale of projects. embodies the pole star around which evolution and growth cycle. package for any project, anywhere in the world.

UT2 April May 2014 www.emas.com Visit EMAS AMC at OTC Houston 2014UT2 -April Booth May 5141. 2014 Equipment Take your subsea projects further

Aquatic’s First Carousel Project Proserv Controls Aquatic Asia Pacific has successfully The project saw the Aquatic Proserv has been awarded its largest Developing technology- completed its new carousel, the carousel mobilised for the first contract yet for subsea controls. AQCS-01-1500 in a maiden project. time after completing its factory The contract, which is worth around driven solutions to meet Aquatic partnered with integrated acceptance test in Singapore. $40million, will see Proserv provide global energy needs subsea services provider Kreuz nine subsea control systems to Subsea on the project. The first offshore operation for support deepwater workover controls the new carousel required three services for several projects in Brazil The carousel was successfully used different lengths of flexible product up to 2500m water depth. to install 9.7km of 218mm diameter to be spooled onto the carousel umbilical in the South Belut field at the start of mobilisation. Each Overall project execution, along Energy is at the core of Technip. With engineering, technologies and project management, offshore Indonesia for ConocoPhillips. length was connected to the next with the engineering and build of on land and at sea, we safely deliver innovative energy solutions for our clients. using mid-section connectors, each the subsea control systems, will As the installation contractor, Kreuz 8m long. be carried out at Proserv’s Great Subsea, engaged Aquatic Asia Pacific Yarmouth facilities. The company’s To find out more about Technip, its projects to mobilise the modular carousel The entire operation from dedicated manufacturing facility in and available vacancies, please visit: system onto the Seamec Princess equipment mobilisation through to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, will deliver the vessel and transpool the umbilical transpooling, offshore laying and accompanying hydraulic power units. www.technip.com prior to sailing to the field and laying demobilisation was completed Find us on: off the vessel starboard side. within three weeks. The systems will be delivered to the client in a phased approach throughout 2015 in line with key project milestones.

NASNet Nautronix has secured an order from HHI, Korea, to supply a NASNet DPR reference system which will be used on the Bollsta Dolphin drilling rig.

NASNet DPR provides robust mitigation against many of the risks associated with both acoustic and satellite positioning systems, allowing multiple users to benefit simultaneously from the same array New Carousel with no risk of interference.

Trelleborg DBRM Trelleborg has been awarded one bare joints and auxiliary lines from of its largest single orders for drill installation and handling damage. riser buoyancy modules (DRBM) by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine DRBMs are fitted around the length Engineering in Korea. of the riser pipe in order to reduce the drilling riser’s net weight in water. The contract is for a four-rig package They also ensure that the structure of RiserGuard and riser buoyancy and drilling vessel are supported, 141421 units, two rigs each for Seadrill and improving the riser’s buoyancy and Sonangol. protecting it from service damage. Around 4000 DRBMs will be supplied RiserGuard is a bare or slick joint for the four rigs. system specifically designed to protect Risers with buoyancy modules

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 North and South

NordStream Extension South Stream Plans to pipe Russian gas across the construction and decommissioning route investigations, level surveys In addition to the export network in Baltic to Europe first began in 1997, of two additional gas lines running and other assessments. Once Northern Europe, Russia has also however, after commercial changes, between Russia and Germany. the pre-lay component has been laid plans to deliver gas to South and seeking approvals, conducting Like the first pair, each will have a completed, the extension project Central Europe with the SouthStream environmental impact assessments, transport capacity of around 27.5 will follow an outline construction project. This is based on a gas carrying out dredging operations billion m3. schedule running from 2016–2018. pipeline carrying 63 billion m3/year and actually designing the line, the across the to Southern and first joint was not laid until 2010. The New Lines “The share of natural gas demanded Central Europe NordStream pipeline was finally The new lines will have similar by Europe is predicted to grow inaugurated two years later. properties to the existing Nord from 25% to 30% by 2035” said a The first gas will be supplied through Stream arrangement. The steel spokesman. “Even with the amount SouthStream in late 2015. The gas The twin pipeline system now runs pipes will have a 48in diameter, with from power from renewables rising pipeline will reach its full design 1224km between Vyborg, Russia to internal flow lining, external 4.2mm from 10% to 23%, this should not capacity in 2018. Lubmin near Greifswald, Germany. corrosion protection and a 60mm– have a huge impact on gas demand.” The lines have a combined carrying 120mm concrete weight coating. The offshore component of the capacity of 55 billion m3 (bcm) of gas SouthStream pipeline will start at the a year and will operate for at least 50 Like the original two lines, the Russian Black Sea shore in the area of years. designers have specified a change Anapa. Crossing the Turkish Exclusive in wall thicknesses along its length One of the main gas sources for the (34.6mm, 30.9mm and 26.8mm) NordStream is the Yuzhno-Russkoye in accordance with the differing Blue Stream gas condensate field, Western pressure ranges (220bar, 200bar and Siberia. The 1100km2 area is the 177.5 bar). gained key insights in Economic Zone of the Black Sea, it the Black Sea. For example, each will biggest natural gas field developed building a major trunkline system will land on the Bulgarian coast near be externally coated with three layers in Russia to date. Proven recoverable While the environmental assessments across the Black Sea when it laid the Varna. of polypropylene to protect them gas reserves of more than 600 billion formulated during the development Russian landfall options offshore section of the Blue Stream against corrosive agents in the water. m3 of natural gas. of lines 1 and 2 will be a useful pipeline in 2001. South Stream The 931km offshore section will reach resource, their ‘route corridor’ The new pipelines have two is ostensibly a replacement for a a maximum depth of 2200m. At this In late January, South Stream The developers are now looking at pertains to a spread of the seabed of proposed sites for a landfall on proposed Blue Stream II project. depth, the water pressure builds up to Transport contracted OMK, Severstal the NordStream Extension project only 2km in width. The new lines will, the Russian side – Kolganpya and a massive 2200t/m2. Although pipelines and Europipe to supply pipes for which will focus on the planning, therefore, require their own detailed Kurgalsky. The latter has a smaller have been laid at such depths before, the first line. By March, pipe supply pipeline route length. The proposed these were of smaller diameter and contracts for the second line were route in the Gulf of Finland broadly capacity. signed with Marubeni-Itochu & mirrors that of the existing line, Sumitomo Consortium, OMK Steel however, there are three routing Surface currents in the Black Sea and Izhora Pipe Mill. options for the main Baltic section. form two closed circles, while currents caused by the exchange of waters “The design of these pipes address One route takes between the Black Sea and the Sea the specific conditions and technical the new lines Blue Stream of Marmara, flow both ways. The challenges,” said a spokesman “The north and west deep Black Sea, however, is also engineers developed exceptionally of the existing characterised as a hydrogen-sulphide- resilient pipes by combining high wall NordStream line. The 55–47in Blue Stream onshore rich environment and in fact, there thickness with special heat treatment The other two line was reduced to 24in when is little to no oxygen below depths of and coatings. involves crossing continuing offshore. Using the around 100–200m. This means that the existing lines Saipem 7000, this section was laid at little or no life is found at the bottom In addition, each pipe segment will and running south depths of up to 2150m and as such, of the Black Sea where the longest be tested with water at high pressure and east of them. still stands as one of the deepest stretch of the pipeline will be laid. before it leaves the factory floor to These routes pipelines in the world. ensure it is of sufficient quality to be differ further south Danish routing South Stream Transport has used for the offshore pipeline.” in that one offers options High-grade corrosion-resistant undertaken more than 16 000km of a more direct steel pipes were used to combat offshore surveys, including video In many ways, South Stream is a route than the the aggressive hydrogen sulphide surveys of the deep seas to determine progression of the earlier Blue Stream 161621 other when they enter Danish waters. environment present in the deep the most suitable route for the pipeline. project (in which Gazprom and Eni 17 waters. It also required internal and where both shareholders. The other The lines will arrive in Germany at external polymer coatings. The The pipes have been especially two South Stream shareholders are a landfall, probably at Greifswalder offshore part of the project cost designed to address the specific EDF and Wintershall), and as such, US$1.7 billion. Nord Stream Extension Pipeline Bodden. conditions and geological features of has benefitted from the considerable

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014

experience of building and operating There will be four pipeline strings in Saipem won the contract to offshore pipelines, total, each with a diameter of 32ins, construct the first line of the South and an annual transport capacity of Stream Offshore Pipeline, from Blue Stream demonstrated that it 15.71bcm. When operational, this Russia to Bulgaria across the is possible to lay a pipeline at this will enable the South Stream offshore Black Sea, for a total value of depth in the Black Sea. The South pipeline to transport 63bcm/year. approximately €2billion. Stream route, pipeline diameter and capacity are very different, so In 2011, Gazprom carried out a Saipem will perform the installation the technical challenges are not feasibility study to assess pipeline design and will construct the entire identical. routes through the Black Sea, as well first line, including the shallow as landfall options. This was followed water parts, the shore crossings, South Stream Transport appointed by front end engineering and design the landfall and the associated Det Norske Veritas (DNV), who will (FEED) which was conducted by facilities for the four pipelines. be involved across all stages of the INTECSEA. This was used to further project’s implementation in order develop, optimise and define the Saipem will use its pipe-laying to issue a Certificate of Conformity, offshore part of the project. vessels – Castoro Sei and the showing that the pipeline complies Saipem 7000 to lay the pipeline. with the norm DNV-OS-F101. DNV- In January, South Stream Transport Offshore installation of the OS-F101 is a leading international signed a contract and launched a remaining lines will be tendered at standard for offshore pipelines to tender among Russian and German a later stage. ensure that projects are designed, pipe plants for the procurement of constructed and operated with due more than 75 000 12m joints with a Pipe-laying will be performed regard for safety and environmental diameter 32in, for the first string of from Russia to Bulgaria. Offshore protection. South Stream’s offshore section. construction will start in autumn 2014. In September 2014, the first pipes will be welded together

Cyclonic Rim Current Sebastopol in batches of four on-board the jet current anticyclonic eddy Castoro Sei vessel to form quad- joints of 48m long.

Rim Current meanders In November 2014, the Cyclonic eddies Castoro Sei vessel will move to Russian waters to start shallow water pipe-laying. Batumi At the end of the year, the larger Crimea anticyclonic anticyclonic eddy pipelay vessel S7000 will take over eddy pipe laying and the Castoro Sei Central Gyre21 will move back to the Bulgarian Western Gyre Eastern Gyre harbour to continue quad-joint welding.

1821 The construction of the first line Anticyclonic eddies will last until the third quarter of 2015 and the pipeline will be taken into operations by the end Black Sea Currents of that year.

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014

T.TSS UT2-Detection.p.indd 1 04/03/2014 14:55 Control System Compressor Pump Uninterruptible Compressor variable variable speed drive speed drive power supply A Separator and B Cooler

Circuit Breaker Subsea Gas Compression

Liquid pump Long step-out power supply Ormen Lange Norway’s second largest gas field, Ormen Lange, came onstream in September 2007. Lying 120km Components of a subsea compression (75 miles) offshore in water depths train Image: Aker Solutions of 850–1100m (2790–3600ft), the gas condensate from fifteen wells provide the same wide range of The wellstream is normally cooled flows directly to shore through two impeller design as the ones found before entering the scrubber and 30in (760mm) diameter multiphase on typical gas platforms,” said Knut compressor. On Ormen Lange, this pipelines. Nyborg, Vice President of Emerging cooling takes place in the infield Subsea Technologies at Aker Solutions. flowlines between the wells and Reservoir engineers at production the compressor station. Systems operator Norske Shell and “This secures the highest possible flow lower the gas temperature to around Most offshore oil and gas fields have the form of pumping. Adding external grow in size as it ascends towards development partner Statoil rate and compression ratio as well as 10–15oC. some form of platform. This can energy confers a number of other the surface where the pressure on predicted that declining pressures the highest possible efficiency, which be basically considered as having advantages. the gas bubble is lower, the location would necessitate some form of gas is important for both field economy and The gas is then passed through a two main functions. It separates the of a compressor can make a big compression by 2015. environment. However, a tremendous scrubber. This 3m (10ft) diameter wellstream into its component parts l Some remote fields are developed difference in efficiency and overall effort has been put into making the vertical separator removes the and then it pumps the processed by being tied back into existing production effect. By locating it at the In 2006, Aker Solutions was awarded entire machine rugged enough to suit condensate and water while also stream ashore. infrastructure. Pressure boosting wellhead, the pressure in the flowline a $143 million EPC contract to the subsea environment and cope with acting as a buffer for any liquid effectively allows these tie-back and riser become higher and thus the develop the Ormen Lange subsea the long maintenance intervals. ” slugs coming from the wells. The Subsea processing broadly distances to be increased. This may gas volume become smaller. Smaller compression station pilot. Vetco scrubber works with an inlet vane comprises the technologies required ultimately result in surface facilities volume flow means lower friction loss Aibel, (now GE Oil & Gas), was Aker Solutions started work on this back to separate the bulk of the gas and to relocate these functions onto being eliminated entirely. and thus higher efficiency. contracted to develop equipment to in the mid 80’s when it developed the liquid, and hydrocyclones to remove the sea floor. Subsea liquid or gas power it. so-called Kvaerner Booster Station. the smaller droplets. boosting focuses on this second l Increasing flow could save money So, by locating the compressor function of the platform. The by reducing the number of wells close to the reservoir (at wellhead) In total, four compression trains would Compression requires gas volume The liquid stream enters an Aker movement of liquid or multiphase required to develop a field. the entire flowline and riser can be be required to boost the pressure fraction to be around 95 –100%. A Solutions 400kW multi-stage materials is normally called pumping operated at a higher pressure than by from around 1160 psi to 2030 psi typical gas wellstream, however, centrifugal LiquidBooster pump, or boosting. Moving gas is normally l Adding energy produces the suction from the platform end of the (80 bar to 140 bar). This was later may include occasional slugs of where it is injected back into the called compression. resource at an accelerated rate, giving riser. Being located underwater, the reduced to two trains. One of these condensate, natural gas liquids and high pressure gas export line greater up-front financial returns, often system is less sensitive to adverse trains would be constructed as a even sand. As these compressors are downstream of the compressor. At the start of a field’s life, the when they are needed the most. weather than a surface platform. pilot project and tested in controlled traditionally specified to tolerate limited Sand is also removed from the reservoir pressure is typically circumstances. In addition to the amounts of liquid in the gas, it was wellstream and pumped through the sufficient to drive the hydrocarbons While this may, although not always, The seawater temperature ensures compressor, the train would consist decided to install an upstream scrubber pump. up to the surface. Throughout result in a shorter field life, the total that any machinery is cooled and of retrievable subsea modules to secure robustness for the first pilot. the life of the field, however, this volume of hydrocarbons recovered that the entire system operates at containing process, control and high The gas stream, meanwhile, is fed pressure naturally tapers off. can be considerably larger than stable temperatures. Placing large voltage power systems, scrubbers Later testing has proved that also into the main compressor which There comes a point at which the without boosting. It may be possible, structures on the sea bed can release (gas-liquid separator), pumps and centrifugal compressors can tolerate stands at the heart of the system. pressure is no longer great enough therefore, to convert smaller marginal valuable space on topsides facilities. coolers. relatively high liquid loading. This consists of a compact 5m for the hydrocarbons to reach their fields into economically viable destination, even though significant developments. Relocating pressure boosting The pilot system was assembled volumes may still remain in the systems to the sea floor, however, throughout 2010 in a new Anti-Surge line reservoir. Some fields may have low But where to place this pump or presents challenges. Because of purpose-designed ‘clean space’ pressures to start with. compressor? the costs of equipment retrieval in fabrication, assembly and test Compressor the remote subsea environment, hall at Aker Solutions’ Egersund Venturi Fields may lie in waters tens of the system has to robust and very Relocating the classical booster offshore construction yard. After Flow Scrubber thousands of feet deep. In order for pump to the seabed has a number of reliable. This can only be proven by several months of dry testing, this Meter the wellstream in these wells to reach inherent advantages. From a technical conducting long-term tests prior to was dismantled and transported Discharge the surface, the reservoir pressure point of view, the most efficient deployment. to Nyhamna, on the west coast of Inlet Cooler also has to overcome the significant location is within the reservoir itself. Norway. There, the 1000t package, Cooler Condensate weight of this liquid column (water Failing that, as close to it as possible – Two operators that pioneered measuring 36m (120ft) long, was Pump 2021 and oil). on the seabed. This is especially true developing boosting systems for reassembled in a 14m (46ft) deep 21 of wellstreams with high percentages gas fields were Norsk Hydro with its test pit (basin). Minimum Control Valve In such circumstances, it may be of gas. Ormen Lange and Asgard fields, and flow line necessary either from the start, or at Statoil at Gullfaks. The development “High-duty and high-efficiency some time during the life of the field, Due to the same phenomena, as of their similar, yet subtly different subsea gas compressors like those Control Valve to add more energy into the system in when a small gas bubble rapidly systems was continued in parallel. on Ormen Lange and Åsgard can Flow diagram of a subsea compression train on Asgard

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Subsea Gas Compression Åsgard Gullfaks 2x11,5 MW centrifugal compressors 2 x 5 MW multiphase axial contra- with upstream scrubbers rotating compressors 40 km step out 16km step out Water depth 250–325m Water depth 135m Size: 74m x 45m x 26m Size: 34m x 20m x 12m Åsgard Weight: 4752t Weight: 950t (16ft) high and high-efficiency, Åsgard has two subsea satellites, compression station is 26MW. This and will be ongoing throughout 2014. Production: 21 mill Sm3/d Production: 10 mill Sm3/d high-capacity vertical centrifugal Midgard and Mikkel, located some will be provided by from the two The two 11.5MW subsea compressors Tonnes/mboe: 17t Tonnes/mboe: 48t compressor driven by a high speed 40-50km away in 240-310m of water. existing gas turbines on the Åsgard will be installed in a 74m x 44m x electric motor at 11 000revs/ min. These gas condensate fields are tied A floating production storage and 20m high, 4800t, subsea station. With The direct drive obviates the need for back to the Åsgard B floating platform. offloading (FPSO) vessel, however, startup of the compressor station (separator) and a recirculation control Power and control modules will gears and couplings. this has required a new large scheduled for first quarter 2015, system. The unprocessed gas is fed be integrated on the Gullfaks C Due to a decline in production, these module to be built and installed. Åsgard will become the first full-scale into a flow mixer which helps suppress platform. “As the drive and rotors are housed fields will have insufficient gas pressure This contains the necessary high subsea compression project to come slugging and provides a more in a single, hermetically sealed to produce steadily by 2015. Apart from voltage components as transformers, onstream. homogenous feed to the compressor. OneSubsea is responsible for enclosure, the complex shaft end a drop in revenue, a minimum gas flow variable speed drives for pumps and the engineering, procurement seals against the environment are is necessary to avoid the accumulation compressor switchboards, as well as Gullfaks Gas from the will be cooled and construction (EPC) of the unnecessary,” explains Knut Nyborg. of liquid. It will be necessary, therefore, cooling and other HVAC equipment. Gullfaks South is a satellite of the in “tube-and-sheet” cooler units that compressor station, including to boost the gas pressure in order to main Gullfaks field. It lies in water are based upon free convection topside power and control systems This makes the unit more compact maintain stable production rates. In late 2010, Aker Solutions was depths 130m–220m. The first phase between gas in the cooler tubes for Gullfaks C. and gives it a smaller footprint. awarded a NOK3.4billion contract (oil and condensate) of the field came and the sea water outside. The Magnetic bearings levitate the shaft Statoil began looking at the possibility for the design and construction of onstream on October 1998, which was gas then enters the integrated and Nexans was awarded the EPC and facilitates the shaft movement. of subsea gas compression in the Åsgard subsea compression followed by the second phase (gas fully encapsulated counter-rotating contract for the power and control 2005. The two options were a system. The engineering procurement and liquids) three years later. The gas multiphase compressor with each cable from Gullfaks C to the subsea The action of the compressor heats subsea compression station and a and construction (EPC) included is piped from Gullfaks to the Statpipe impeller shaft running at a maximum compressor station. up the wellstream so the discharge compression platform. the subsea compressor station as trunkline and on to Kårstø. speed of 4500RPM. stream has to be cooled back down. well as the manifold station and It is routed through a cooler in which In 2007, the operator began a related topside control and power Field operators Statoil predicted This consists of three main the heat is exchanged by surrounding comprehensive technology equipment. that by 2015, the natural pressure of components – an upper electric motor, seawater. qualification program (TQP). By late Gullfaks South’s Brent reservoir would the compressor section, and 2010, it had decided to opt for the The pipeline EPC was also awarded fall to a point where compression will lower electric motor. The The system, particularly the rotating subsea alternative and an EPC contract at the end of 2010. This involved be required to bring the field back to shafts are supported by equipment, requires a total power to deliver the subsea compression extensive work to reroute the its plateau. axial and radial bearings. A demand of around 25MW (2x12.5). This system was awarded to Aker Solutions. production in an optimum way. The barrier fluid system is used is supplied from shore through a 132 kV The plan for development and majority of this work was carried out This prompted the company to embark to provide overpressure subsea power cable. A transformer steps operation (PDO) was approved by the in 2013, including the installation on planning a wet gas compression protection. Because of the this down to 22kV at the subsea station. Norwegian Parliament in 2012. Subsea of more than 60km of new pipe, 11 system. This would increase the low specific blade loading, compression on Åsgard is expected to pipeline end manifolds, one new recovery rate from South Brent from the design is sand-tolerant. The power cable, with its integrated improve recovery from the Mikkel and riser-base, and 50 tie-ins. 62 to 74%, adding 22 million barrels of fibre optical control lines, enters a Midgard fields by some 278 million oil equivalent (mboe) to the reservoir Furthermore, no anti-surge circuit breaker module. There, it also barrels of oil equivalent (boe). The subsea manifold station and the (compared to the 278mboe for Åsgard) facilities are required. charges the pilot’s two uninterrupted template for the compressor station, at an investment cost of NOK 3bn. The impellers have an power supply (UPS) systems. These are The testing programme to verify with total weights of approximately angle of attack and designed to kick in should power fail, integrity of the submerged 1000t and 2000t respectively, was While Åsgard featured a liquid- blade loading that avoids to ensure a controlled shut-down and compressors required a new large installed with heavy lift vessel mid- intolerant compressor, the engineers phase separation. This black start. While these circuit breakers scale facility at K-lab in Kårstø. summer 2013. The installation of on Gullfaks opted for a slightly reduces both the size and have been developed for use in 900m The testing programme for the pilot the modules within the compressor different design. The flowrate and weight of the compressor (2950ft), Aker Solutions has conducted compressor will be completed this station will be initiated later this year. pressure-boost at Åsgard are station when compared further research into a similar version year. considerably higher than for Gullfaks. to a high duty centrifugal able to operate in 3000m (9840 ft) The final testing of the various parts of The technology selections each suited compressor station like waters. The total power demand for the subsea the new system was started late 2013 their respective applications. that on Åsgard.

Gas production rates and reservoir Statoil turned to what is now The Gullfaks project will pressures of a typical field change Recirculation loop OneSubsea, for a multiphase wet see two 5MW wet gas over time. Liquid slugs within the line gas compressor able to work on an compressors installed in a will result in surges and pressures Multiphase unprocessed well stream. subsea template at 135m Inlet Compressor Outlet will also change during start-up or Unprocessed Processed depth. They will be tied 22 shut-down. The compressor therefore, Unlike the high capacity and high in to the existing L and M 23 will require variable speed drives Flow mixer Flow efficiency centrifugal designs, there is manifolds and pipeline (VSDs). Varying the supplied voltage Slug Suppressor Divider no auxiliary anti-surge control system, systems 15kms and current frequency in response to Flow diagram or inlet scrubber. Instead, it requires from Gullfaks signals sent from shore, will regulate Bypass Valve on Gullfaks an arrangement with an upstream C by a pipeline the speeds of the drive motors. flow mixer, downstream flow divider bundle. Wet Gas Compressor Image: OneSubsea

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Geotechnical Survey

New Generation Geotechnical Surveys Using ROV-Deployed geoROV Systems Jon Machin and Jim Edmunds of UTEC Geomarine

Conducting offshore geotechnical acquired. Multiple in situ tests can deliver up to about 400kg reaction The geoREACT tool skid utilises two l Obtaining geotechnical data for surveys has always been a be completed on a single dive – for force using a combination of negative suction cans to provide additional and foundation design in an area of gravel necessary requirement in order example in excess of 50 tests have buoyancy and vectored down-thrust. temporary reaction force in suitable dump adjacent to existing subsea to obtain the engineering soil been completed in a single 12 hour seabeds (most seabeds except infrastructure – the test location could parameters that enable designs shift. Experience shows that 400kg is gravel or strong clay). The geoROV be positioned in between individual for subsea structure foundations. sufficient to penetrate up to 3m in loose drive unit is mounted above the pair gravel pieces to ensure reliable data; Important design issues which rely The geoROV unit is capable of sands or low to intermediate strength of suction cans and the chassis is several locations were adjacent to or on the data gathered during such delivering around 1.5t of thrust force clays, but for deeper penetration in attached to the underside of the ROV beneath a live platform and all were surveys include pipeline seabed but in order to use this force without stronger soils the more reaction force via a standard four-point tool-skid adjacent to subsea structures. “friction”, on-bottom stability, jacking the ROV off the seabed the better. Therefore, UTEC Geomarine connection. excavation assessments and sufficient reaction force must be has also introduced another innovative l Cable and pipeline pre-lay route geohazard evaluations, etc. available. Some large vehicles (such component to the system, called the The system has proved particularly investigations mounted in a standalone as trenching machines) are sufficiently geoREACT tool skid, which increases successful where other conventional frame. There are a number of methods in heavy to provide the full reaction, but the capabilities of the free-flying ROV types of deployment may be common use for acquiring the soils a free-flying ROV can typically only deployment. technically challenging, hazardous, l Mounted on a variety of trenching l As part of a multi-task ROV data including in situ test methods, expensive, or simply impossible to machines to trencher campaign in the Gulf of Mexico, such as cone penetration testing undertake. The system is also gaining performance, to quantify unexpected geoROV was used to investigate (CPT) and T-bar testing, as well a reputation for efficient operation trenching behaviour, or to enable newly appeared seabed anomaly as the recovery of actual soil core compared with conventional methods. real-time route and trenching machine features (possible pockmarks) samples for subsequent logging adjustments to be made. and obtain engineering data, and laboratory testing. Historically Additionally, it is often convenient including pipeline seabed friction geotechnical surveys have been for a contractor to have the ability l ROV-deployed acquisition of data factors, for pipeline design. conducted using large standalone to recover high quality geotechnical for design of foundations for subsea seabed samplers and in situ test data during their offshore campaign manifolds offshore Vietnam. l During a major development machines deployed from surface on without dedicating the entire spread project West of Shetland in 2013; lift wires or using a drilling ship. to this sole purpose. In fact, geoROV l ROV-deployed seabed investigation geoROV CPT and Sampler were can be installed and removed from for a planned large gravity base used together with geoREACT to UTEC Geomarine has recently an ROV in less than an hour allowing platform on the North West Shelf acquire around 300 CPTs, cyclic introduced a new ROV-deployed for flexible mission planning in of Australia– over 200 CPTs were T-bars, and push samples; an geotechnical survey tool to the response to events and evolving conducted on a tight grid spacing to intensive programme of advanced market, the geoROV CPT and requirements. verify the absence of localised pockets laboratory testing followed Sampler. The geoROV system is of soft material. enabling optimised design of the designed to be a plug-and-play Since their introduction to the market subsea facilities using cutting addition to a work-class ROV in 2010 the geoROV systems have l As part of a multi-task campaign edge analysis techniques for spread comprising a linear drive undertaken a wide and notable range gathering data for the decommis- flowlines and seabed structures. unit with control and real-time data of projects including: sioning of a large platform in the acquisition. Central North Sea, geoROV CPT was UTEC Geomarine plan further l Delineating the thickness of sand used to conduct a series of 50 tests advances and innovations in the Once mounted to the ROV, the cover above soft clay along a planned on the drill cuttings mound beneath geoROV tool product range in system can be flown to the required pipeline route in the Norwegian sector a live platform; due to a number of 2014, including a heavier duty location in water depths up to 3000m. for design of the pipeline against the operational constraints the work had to linear drive unit, electric drive It can then be precisely positioned unusual phenomenon of down-heave be completed in a single 12hr window version, and ultra-deep water and in situ test data or soil cores geoROV buckling. and this was successfully acheived. (6000m) capability.

• Construction Support • Geophysical/Geotechnical • Site Investigation • ROV-Based Inspection Surveys • Subsea Positioning • Metocean • Industrial Measurement • Hydrographic

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Australia • Brazil • Canada • Indonesia • • Singapore • UAE • UK • United States Equipment S-Boom Geophysical

4000m Depth Rating for 2D Sonar MSM Environmental Protection Systems

Teledyne BlueView has “The main drawback of this Offshore oil and gas and hydrocarbon sniffers released the second sonar arrangement, however, fields are increasingly were developed by in the 2D Forward Looking is that the pressure often being developed using Kongsberg Maritime partner By harnessing the combined power of three of their Sonar M Series family. has a deleterious effect on subsea technology. This is CONTROS. AA202 Boomer Plates to provide a single pulse, the The M900-D, it is rated to the electronics inside the particularly applicable for Applied Acoustics’ S-Boom System is re-defining working water depths of chamber,” said Robertson. use in deep waters, remote The HUB also incorporates the boundaries of shallow seismic surveying. Already up to 4000m. locations and especially in power management systems recognised for producing high resolution seabed “Electronic components environmentally sensitive to ensure MSM’s ability “There are two main often incorporate areas. to deliver critical sensor profiles, the fusion of these three transducers delivers strategies in designing air bubbles during data continuously, for long a source level high enough to significantly increase deep water electronics,” manufacture. These high In recent years, the offshore duration missions. sub-bottom penetration without loss of data quality. said Jon Robertson, field pressures within the oil may industry has become very operations and technical cause the air bubbles to sensitive to oil leakage and Rather than sensing from Shallow water seismic reflection surveys sales manager at collapse and components’ pollution in general. It is a single point, the system Deep penetration >200mtr Teledyne BlueView. structure to fail.” vital, therefore, that these also accommodates remote Ultra high resolution <0.25mtr remote subsea locations nodes that can be placed Clean, stable, repeatable pulse signature “Ambient pressures In order to improve system are closely monitored. near critical structures. Single and multi channel streamer compatible increase with water reliability for the M900-D, These site-specific nodes depth, and these must be therefore, BlueView opted to In a remote subsea also contain a full range of +44 (0)1493 440355 : [email protected] : www.appliedacoustics.com accommodated for. One have an air-filled chamber environment, it is not only sensors (methane sniffers, of the most common ways and resist the outside important to detect leakage, oil in water sensors, etc.) of accomplishing this is pressures by specifying a but also to be able to relay They communicate with main S-Boom ad_UT2.indd 1 08/02/2012 16:58:28 to house the electronic thick aluminium housing. the information back to a HUB using Kongsberg’s components in an oil-filled control station that may well-established cNODE chamber. Oil has a very The compact size of the be large distances away. technology. low compression rate.” M900-D is maintained by It also needs to employ Applied Acoustics and iXBlue Announce Formal Co-operation BlueView’s third-generation highly reliable field proven Similar in the set-up to the This chamber will electronics package, which equipment nodes, are remote stations from very early leak detection Applied Acoustic Engineering in the joint customer base.” incorporate a pressure is smaller, lower power, and that are used to provide and condition monitoring around UK and iXBlue have released details compensator. With produces improved imagery Kongsberg Maritime has baseline data from outside subsea structures to environmental of a formal working relationship According to Christian Giroussens, increasing depth, over previous models by met this subsea monitoring the field. These monitor monitoring on the seabed and in between the two companies, VP of iXBlue’s acoustic a correspondingly applying techniques such challenge with the gradual changes in the the water column. permitting cross compatibility products division, “The strengthening pressure as automatic transmit power development of the Modular environment that could between their acoustic positioning established cooperation pushes on one side of the adjustment. Subsea Monitoring-Network trigger false alarms. This flexible solution is deployable products to create a greater degree between our companies freely-moving pressure (MSM). It is designed to on projects of all types and scale. of flexibility across a wide market allows the variety of GAPS compensator. This ‘The M900-D is the first offer continuous monitoring Advanced data processing The first MSM systems will be area. compatible beacons to pressure is opposed by expansion of the next of the subsea environment algorithms within the hub delivered in 2014. expand, for instance with the low compression rate generation of Teledyne and the alerting of events analyse and evaluate the Conceived during 2013 and high directivity / high of the oil on the other side, BlueView’s 2D sonar such as oil and gas information. If an alarm is Communication approved earlier this year, the source level beacons, system Sensors (not the two sides perfectly family, the M Series,’ said leakages from subsea triggered, a message is sent protruding agreement allows Applied Acoustics’ and therefore outside the complete range of 1000 Series provides our equalising. Ted Germann, Teledyne installations, pipelines and to the topsides. The message frame when in BlueView’s chief of sales risers. is received by existing operation) transponders to operate with iXBlue’s customers with This means that the outer and marketing. HiPAP systems or mobile GAPS USBL systems using a jointly an enhanced skin of the body does not At its heart is the HUB. Protective developed set of acoustic protocols. solution in deck units. The topsides unit frame need to be particularly It is a lander system also provides basic tools for very difficult thick as it does not have to equipped with a range of further analysis. Speaking on behalf of Applied environments. withstand any differential sensory tools to detect Acoustics, managing director Adam pressures. dissolved gasses such as The modularity and Darling said, “This collaboration “For sure, the represents a significant step forward joint experience hydrocarbons and CO2, as scalability of the MSM well as oil in water. allows for easy deployment for both companies, giving us the of both and adaptation to different ability to service new clients whilst companies will These chemical sensors monitoring tasks, ranging adding extra versatility to our create value 2621 existing product ranges. for the entire 27 The Modular Subsea Monitoring-Network is deployable on community of projects of all types and scale. The hub will be typically larger “I look forward to a long and USBL users.” successful partnership and to The M900-D than depicted by the model, with the sensors not protruding, A 1000 series transponder but housed within the body during operation. providing long term benefits to our and a GAPS USBL

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Equipment The FLEXUS ROTV

FLEXUS

When carrying out oceanographic For some time, however, the company turbidity and dissolved oxygen aboard the FLEXUS vehicle, it can surveys, there are many vehicle has recognised a gap in its product meters. The large amount of sensory also be easily dismounted for use types able to convey physical and portfolio between the profiler moving in equipment requires a subsea with other applications on other chemical measuring equipment one dimension and the ROTV moving multiplexer to bring the large amounts sensor and instrument carrying through the water, gathering in three dimensions. of information to the surface. This can oceanographic platforms, including information. be performed by MacArtney’s NEXUS CTDs, landers, corers, drop camera This prompted the development of MK E electric multiplexer. systems and custom bottom tow At its most fundamental is the profiler a towed device able carry the same sledges. This makes the investment which moves vertically through the large payloads of its existing tools, but While the NEXUS MK E can be used more cost-efffective. water column. At the other end of the moving in two dimensions. The smaller spectrum are autonomous and towed costs would bring the survey device vehicles which can move around in within more budgets. three dimensions. A cost-effective Saturn Family of Fog-Based AHRS and INS Systems example of this is the remotely “The new vehicle is called the FLEXUS, operated towed vehicle (ROTV). said a spokesman. “This versatile, Following a two-year development are designed to support the offshore A vertical user friendly system is designed for a programme, Teledyne TSS has developed construction, ROV, surface navigation and profiler A typical example of this consists multitude of mission types including a complete new family of advanced multibeam survey sectors where reliability, of a box-shaped frame with four effective and detailed mapping of Attitude and Heading Reference Systems competitive pricing and performance are hydrodynamic carbon fibre hulls physical and chemical parameters in (AHRS) and Inertial Navigation Systems essential. that contain the survey equipment, the water column. (INS) The family has been named ‘Saturn’. connected by rigid struts. The pitch The Saturn 30 systems are designed as a of these struts can be changed The vehicle can be controlled vertically The Saturn family is based upon fibre- solid-state attitude and heading reference to steer the vehicle. Propulsion is with an operational envelope of optic technology developed and system (AHRS) for primary surface and provided from a surface vessel by 0m–200m and is able to operate at a manufactured by Teledyne TSS. The family subsea navigation. Tritech Starfish for Z-Boat 1800 means of an tether through which the tow speed of up to 10kts with a vertical also incorporates advanced digital signal data can be received in real time. speed of up to 1m/s.” processing and algorithm design to deliver They are compact and highly reliable units The Oceanscience Group has a highly accurate and reliable product to which make them ideal for all sizes of unveiled the first Z-Boat 1800 MAcArtney offers two such devices The keynote of the design is its meet the demanding needs of the marine vessel and especially for smaller craft such remotely-operated survey vessel with – its Focus-2 which is aimed at the flexibility. It is able to carry out a broad market. as fast ferries, yachts and small patrol craft an integrated side scan sonar from pipeline inspection, cable route variety of different scientific monitoring where space is at a premium. Tritech International. The new portable surveys and seafloor mapping tasks and can easily be reconfigured All units are compact, lightweight in both The Saturn 10 has a heading accuracy 1.8m surface vessel provides a shore market, and the Triaxus which for new applications. It can carry a air and water and provide a unique of 0.1° sec. lat. RMS, with a pitch/roll operator with real-time high definition is more used for ocean science, range of instrumentation including alternative to competitive accuracy of 0.01deg. Heave accuracy is side scan imagery from Tritech’s fisheries research and environmental CTD packages, transmissometers, products. 5% or 5cm. StarFish 990F side scan. impact studies. fluorometries and sensors for PAR, As a leader in gyro Saturn 30 has a heading accuracy of 0.3° The StarFish side scan is attached and motion sensor sec. lat. RMS with a pitch/roll accuracy of to a special skeg (keel fin) under Tritech’s StarFish 990F Automatic Roll Correction on the FLEXUS technology, Teledyne 0.2deg. Heave accuracy is also the Z-Boat, eliminating the need side scan and the Z-Boat To improve towed stability, the its body as well as a horizontal tail fin TSS has used its 5% or 5cm. for a dedicated hull mounted Flexus incorporates side wings along with self-adjusting fins. significant in-house transducer. In addition, the “The StarFish has been highly expertise, coupled Both subsea versions use compact size of the StarFish successful in wreck location, shallow Aileron changes During tow, vehicles are subject to with feedback from titanium casings rated to topside box means that a water survey and search and as the weighted arm roll where the attitude of the tail (blue) industry, to design 4000m as standard. single or dual frequency recovery applications,” said Mike swings away form the tail swings away from the vertical (red). and manufacture the single beam echosounder Broadbent, Tritech, Sales Manager. A weighted arm at the rear, however, product at a price the The Saturn product family can still be accommodated on Teledyne TSS Saturn 30 Weighted arm maintains its downward position due market requires. has been specifically the Z-Boat. The Z-Boat represents a new Inertial Navigation and remains vertical to gravity. This arm is mechanically designed to fulfill demanding fast and convenient way to carry due to gravity Heading System for coupled to fins on the horizontal tail As the first tranche maritime operations at a truly “Adding side scan capability out imaging surveys where the surface craft Angle of tail section. of a comprehensive affordable price and to be was a natural progression deployment of a manned boat may changes with product development routine maintenance free. for our development of not be possible, vehicle roll The relative change in angle between programme, there are four versions of the Z-boat,” said Adrian the arm and the tail causes ailerons the Saturn family with two basic grades The Saturn 10 systems are McDonald, Oceanscience Z-Boats with single beam 2921 28 in the horizontal tail fin to raise or of accuracy available in both surface and designed to support the Group, Z-boat. “The Tritech echosounders are in operation lower. This, corrects the roll, returning subsea configurations. offshore construction, ROV, side scan sonar was around the world and can perform the tail to the vertical. As the tail and surface navigation and selected owing to its small shallow water hydrographic surveys weighted arm realign, the ailerons There are two models –Saturn 10 and multibeam survey sectors size and good shallow-water in natural and industrial water The FLEXUS self-correting tail return to normal. Saturn 30. The Saturn 10 systems performance.” environments.

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Equipment Outstanding Products Reliable imaging and ancillary equipment. We understand your underwater needs. Integrated HD Pan and Tilt Camera

Many small remotely operated designed, precision Gemini 620pd pro ler is ready to enhance your survey > machined, omega dome. vehicles (ROVs) have fixed cameras Gemini sonar image as post-processed in Hypack which allow the viewers to look at images immediately in front of where The domed port and optical the lens is pointing. Looking at a zoom provide a close-up inspection panorama involves moving the entire capability combined with the flexibility vehicle. of a 10x magnification for standoff #Gemini #pro ler #survey inspection. A smooth belt-driven Pan- Larger vehicles, however, often and-Tilt mechanism provides accurate Visit: www.tritech.co.uk employ the cameras on pan and and infinitely variable speed control to discover more. Kongsberg Maritime OE14-522 tilt units. This allows to user to head movement. Underwater HDTV PATZ Camera panoramically sweep across a wide field of view while the host vehicle The OE14-522 is a multi-standard It is possible to easily switch to high carrying it remains stationary. These camera with the ability to change 122 resolution composite video output if HD Visit us on Booth camera/pan and tilt units, however, video formats by IR remote control is not required for certain tasks. can become large. (RC) or by GUI. Long line drive can be set by RC or GUI at Oceans ‘14 and allows the component signal to The Kongsberg Maritime OE14-522 Video output is available as drive three matched coax cables with 14 - 19 September Underwater HDTV PATZ Camera Component (Y, Pb, Pr) and HD-SDI no degradation over 300m. UK • NORTH AMERICA • BRAZIL Visit us on: provides completely enclosed pan on coax or fibre connectors (single and tilt viewing angles, previously or multi-mode). CWDM alternative unobtainable, with its uniquely wavelengths are also available.

Unmanned Subsea Surveyor 6th Gen Camera Horn Shark There are numerous applications such as subsea Extension and retraction of the boom is driven by an Bowtech has released the Imenco has developed the high intensity lightweight 3000m rated lights inspection, marine sciences, defence and subsea mining array of guidelines that are controlled by hydraulic 6th generation of its colour Horn Shark HD-SDi fixed LED spotlights are ideal created a lot of interest etc, in which it could be useful to have instruments such pumps. Similarly, hydraulic pumps control the slew, lift and monochrome tooling focus camera, Weighing for small ROV fleets and for visitors in the subsea as lights, video, nondestructive testing (NDT) probes and andluff of the robot. This hydraulic system is driven by cameras with 720 TV only 305g in air, it has an diving equipment. As environmental survey, other Ethernet-cabled instruments permanently mounted electric system fed from the surface. lines with improved light output of 1080/60p colour with the Horn Shark, the ROV, and scientific arenas subsea. Such systems, however, are often static. If an sensitivity. video. Measuring only hard anodised aluminium in particular. Voltage image needed to be taken from a different viewpoint, The USS can be piloted over the internet in real time, 40mm diameter by 126mm housing of the SEA LED control and RS232/RS485 it would be necessary giving scientists, students, educators and policy The monochrome LCC- long, it is aimed at small 35 can be colour treated control are available of the employ a remotely makers better data on the state of the ocean at the 700 has been superseded ROV operators and at to match corporate colour floodlight. operated vehicle. sites being surveyed. by the LCC-720 and divers. schemes. the colour L3C-650 is Further new product This prompted Sydney- The system was developed at the Australian superseded by the L3C- Horn Shark is one of On the larger side Imenco launches from Imenco based WorleyParsons to Maritime Complex in Henderson, Australia, and 720. the smallest HD-SDi launched its third new are in the pipeline over develop the Unmanned offshore Port Hedland, Australia. cameras in the subsea product, the SEA LED 300L the next few months Subsea Surveyor (USS). These sensitive, higher sector offering such strip floodlight for use on with the SMART camera The subsea system is powered and resolution cameras high resolution. With pipeline scanners or on and data acquisition The system consists of a controlled from the surface via a tether are manufactured in a a 1000msw rating in a larger observation and work platform coming to market base, arm and information terminating in a buoy. The standard Titanium housing with hard anodised aluminium class ROV. before July and a new gathering head. The base hybrid umbilical provides fibre-optic Sapphire glass ports housing, customers can 6000m-rated HD-SDi USS tool is normally anchored to the communications and 240V to the and are rated for use to select the colour they wish With 12 high output LEDs tooling camera. seafloor, although, WorleyParsons has been investigating seabed. The has triple armouring 4000m ocean depth (with as Imenco can coat the with variable beam angle drill support and defence applications in which the device and a 44-kiloNewton breaking a 6000m option). housing using ceramic and output ratings, the is tethered to the land or a mother ship. strain. All cables subsea are technology. LCC-720 and L3C isolated and wet mateable. Unmanned Subsea 3030 720 cameras 3121 From the base, an articulated arm can extend a camera, Surveyor (USS) Imenco also launched light, sensor etc, up to 10m from the base, 12.1m When the camera system is not in use, the SEA LED 35 spot light high from the horizon and 5.4m below the horizon. The arm it retracts into a UV light docking station. Remotely rated to 1000msw. At can also rotate 360deg, giving an area of 300m2 over which controlled wipers can be employed to eliminate 40mm long and with only surveys can be carried out with repeatable precision. biofouling. 20mm diameter, these Horn Shark

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 CAPTURE THE FULL PICTURE WIDE ANGLE CAMERAS As a result of our continual product development policy Kongsberg Maritime now offer the new OE14-504 HD Wide Angle Colour Zoom Camera and the OE14-370 (PAL) and OE14-3711 (NTSC) SD Wide AngleAngle Remote Vehicles Colour Zoom Cameras with extended viewing angles while the zoom lens providesdes the flexibiliflexibilityty of up to 36 times optical magnification for powerful stand off inspections. Technology and Tragedy: Bringing Closure to Families Extended viewing angles

In recent months, the where the person was last Concentric Dome ports Seattle area has suffered seen. Two primary objects the loss of family and were located that were friends to deeper water considered the most likely Exceptional resolution drowning accidents. While targets to investigate. recovering from the loss of loved ones will never The next step was to get Titanium scalloped dome guards be easy, the recovery of a visual image. Remotely the victim often helps in operated vehicles (ROVs) bringing closure to family provide the ability to search and friends. Challenges at greater depths without Innovative design and technology, unrivalled build quality, exceptionalceptioonal iimimageage quality and world wide supposupsupport ensure arise as the water depths further putting human Kongsberg Maritime’s products offer the best price-performance andd reliability. li bili increase. This is where life in harms way. Seattle underwater search and Police, through colleagues, recovery technology reached out to SeaBotix to THE FULL PICTURE becomes a valuable asset. help. Telephone: +44 1224 226500 [email protected] www.km.kongsberg.com/cameras During Seattle’s annual A vLBV300 MiniROV system SeaFair hydroplane race and an operator was rapidly SeaBotix vLBV300 and Ocean Server Iver AUV event on Lake Washington, mobilised out to the site. a young male spectator programmed approximate image representing that tragically drowned while Operating from a RHiB coordinates of the victim, of a person. The operator aboard a small vessel in and a small crew of three, the operator was able to continued to manoeuvre the the ankle and were closed The entire process of setup, tragedy occurred where a were spread out over the middle of the lake. (one person at the helm, a visually navigate the vLBV vLBV until a clear visual was to provide secure grip. deployment, location, middle aged male drown thousands of feet. The incident occurred in tether handler and the ROV towards the location. recognised by the onboard The vLBV was then slowly identification, grasping and during a sailing accident on 143ft (43.6m) of water, operator), the equipment colour camera and LED recovered to the surface by recovery was accomplished the same Lake Washington. SeaBotix immediately exceeding the local was quickly onsite, holding Simple onscreen graphics lighting. means of the tether, able to in under 15 minutes. Unlike the SeaFair incident, mobilised its newly authorities’ diving limit of station over the primary including sonar range lift up to 220lbs (100kg) in a precise last known acquired Ocean Server 130ft (40m). contact found with the side rings and steering indicator With the victim located, the water. The medical examiner location was unavailable. Iver AUV that is part of a scan sonar. greatly simplified and vLBV looked for a suitable subsequently commented joint development project. Visibility in Lake improved efficiency for the grasping point. The victim’s Once at the surface, the that there was little bruising At the time of the incident, The Iver was fitted with Washington is regularly Setting-up the vLBV300 operator. arms were vertical in the police were able to attach a caused by the grabber. eye witness accounts from the new StarFish 452 side poor at less than 10ft system took less than water column, but the vLBV sling to the victim, allowing onboard the sailing boat scan sonar operating at (3m). When the accident 5mins and side scan GPS Within only a few short grabber jaws were set the vLBV to release its Over the winter following the offered three approximate 450kHz. occurred witnesses quickly coordinates were quickly minutes, a possible contact vertically. The operator, grasp. SeaFair incident, a further locations, however, these called the emergency transferred into the ROV was identified at the outer therefore, steered the vLBV A series of north to south services and maintained a navigation system. The range of the sonar. As the laterally to the right ankle. missions were run based visual reference to the last vehicle was then rapidly vLBV moved closer, the Gently thrusting forward, the on the three approximate seen location. deployed to the lake floor sonar produced a clear grasping jaws went around locations provided. Each 143ft (43.6m) below. was broken into 2-3hr SeaFair is a busy and segments so that the data congested event requiring Onboard sensors included could be downloaded and the support of several local a high resolution wide angle analysed. agencies to support. Once Tritech Gemini 720i multi- the call was received, beam sonar, a Tritech USBL Approximately half a local teams were able to positioning system, a Tritech square mile was searched respond very quickly to the Micron Sounder altimeter over a few days. Various site. Seattle Police was one and various data collection settings including range of the responders. sensors. Also fitted was a and height from bottom grabber arm equipped with (HFB) versus depth from Seattle Police mobilised limb grasping jaws. surface (DFS) were used. its Marine Sonic side Average depth was 160ft 32 scan sonar system, which Once near the lake floor East west (45m). 3321 produces high-resolution the Gemini sonar produced side-scan acoustic images of the lake a clear image with an transects With no initial success, bottom. It quickly carried initial range set out to 65ft the operators took out passes over the area (20m). Armed with the pre- The Ocean Server Iver AUV the decision to revisit

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Remote Vehicles

vLBV300 ROV

the areas around each A quick search with the approximate location and onboard Gemini multibeam run east west transects. sonar revealed the distinct body After the first mission was shape near the coordinate. completed, the data was analysed and a strong Maintaining an automatic BRING CLARITY TO target found. altitude above the lake floor, the vLBV closed in on the The following morning, contact and once in visual THE WORLD BELOW Seattle Police and SeaBotix range, held station. mobilised to the site and once on station deployed The victim was lying face the vLBV300 ROV. With down with his arms tucked the contact coordinated under his torso. Carefully imported into its SmartFlight manoeuvring to an ankle, automated navigation the victim for recovery to SeaBotix vLBV300 and operating equipment the vLBV automatically the surface where he was navigated to the target transferred to a back board a previous pass had covered a very small non-body like coordinates. for lifting into the boat. the area. profile that was missed. A lesson learned was to run Only a few minutes were The location and recovery With the orientation of the perpendicular transects over required to get to depth and had taken several days and in victim east to west, the each known area prior to at the target location. later review of the sonar data initial pass was provided expanding the search area.

Panther from Bluestream Following a year-long evaluation Bluestream, recently boosted its CCC’s ROV Manager, Tavis Letherby. of ROVs using European Union existing fleet to 16 Saab Seaeye “Pipeline operations use a plethora of tendering rules, the Dutch vehicles with the purchase of two kit that makes intensive demands on Government has selected the Saab Panther XT Plus, along with three the ROV,whereas platform work makes Seaeye Panther XT Plus for wreck additional Tigers, in an ROV investment greater demands on the pilot. removal, security and waterway plan for 2014 worth over £4million. maintenance. “During platform work the small size of Speaking of the Dutch Government’s the Cougar and its manoeuvrability, even Driving the bid, subsea operator decision, Bluestream’s managing in strong currents, makes it easy to fly

director, Rolf de Vries said that inside and around structures. Fenech Sandro © important in the decision, was the Image vehicle’s ability to handle heavy “The pilot also needs more information payloads and cope with strong during complex manoeuvres, which currents. Similarly, was the advanced is provided in simple form through the maintenance philosophy, linked to intuitive iCON system,” he said. Saab Seaeye’s training programme. Another appealing factor is that faults are Meanwhile, CCC (Underwater easily identified through the diagnostic Engineering) recently purchased a nature of iCON which makes it is possible Saab Seaeye Cougar XTi fitted with to isolate failed components and avoids the iCON intelligent control system for bringing the vehicle to the surface to LEADING TECHNOLOGY working in both platform and pipeline keep the ROV working. Kongsberg Maritime continues to be at the forefront of subsea technology. operations, as well as handling many Through an extensive portfolio of cutting-edge survey and inspection systems, from multibeams other different projects. In addition to incorporating the iCON control system into their Cougar, CCC to AUVs, we provide clarity to the world beneath the waves. Our solutions for hydrography, fisheries “It is the particular blend of compact has additional cameras including a and underwater navigation and inspection enhance precision and efficiency, giving you the edge in size, six powerful SMX thrusters and Seaeye wide-angle low-light camera, intelligent iCON control system that Kongsberg colour zoom camera and a operational performance. You can rely on our technology to deliver a clear view of the world below, makes such versatility possible,” said rear-facing camera. because with Kongsberg Maritime, you always have THE FULL PICTURE.

km.kongsberg.com Project Simulation by Bob Manavi, VMAX Product Manager

Over the past decade, the use of simulation technologies At the Subsea Tieback Conference in 2011, Petrobras mechanisms on bell-mouths), and and solutions in the Oil and Gas industry have grown. presented its project postmortem on one of the first diver- resulted in them saving an entire day This is due largely to strong supporting empirical data less umbilical installation projects for the field, and they of vessel time for the FPSO and two confirming the value proposition of this technology credited its success by employing cutting edge technology service vessels. through increased efficiency, reduced risk and improved throughout the project, including VMAX Project Simulation. quality. The use of VMAX Simulation Key constraints on the project were resulted in reduced engineering and Major oil and service companies have capitalised on this l Technical risks – this was one of the first of its kind operational cost, an improvement inherent value and have integrated simulation solutions operations in operational efficiency, reduced with the majority of their global offshore projects. l Scheduling risk – the lease of FPSO and the two service project and operation risk. vessels provided were limited in availability. All vessels had This article provides a case study on how simulation is other contractual obligations to meet immediately before The case study shows how being used by EPCI/M, engineering firms and service and after the project window simulation solutions provided by companies to advance offshore operational success while l Budget constraints. VMAX were successfully utilised increasing their margins. It also looks at solutions, such by one of the major operators, but as Forum Energy Technologies’ VMAX Project Simulator To help ensure their success, Petrobras looked to use an interesting trend has been the and Editor Software, employed by these organizations for simulation technologies from the beginning. The first adoption of this technology in- achieving this success. study using simulation was to determine what would be house by service companies and the optimal clearance at the bottom of the floating turret engineering firms. buoyancy, where a work class ROV would need to operate. Simulation technologies have been used within the oil and The industry is realising the most effective way to achieve system-wide gas industry for a number of decades now – primarily as Initial engineering models and drawings of the proposed Simulation can be cost effective a training medium. In the offshore arena, the added risk structure were provided to Petrobras. These were, in turn, optimisation on offshore projects of heavy equipment, fluctuating environmental conditions rapidly placed within the virtual simulation environment. hindrances or potential equipment simulated the entire operation, is for all players involved in these and the added element of human interactions have put Petrobras was then able to interactively pilot an ROV into clashes. including any intervention procedures projects to use the same language to emphasis on ensuring that the operators of these systems the operating zone and observe if there are any execution for contingency, and left no aspect communicate information and ideas. are following rigorous guidelines to ensure safety and After 6-7 multiple iterative studies of the installation operation to efficiency in execution. using different orientations and assumption. In the same sense that engineering lengths on equipment, in a very short and CAD drawings are set as The use of simulation to create virtual environments period of time, they were confidently Aspects such as the modular to mimic reality and create a safe environment to train able to report back to the supplier, installation of a key new operators and strengthen experienced operators the exact specification on what they subsea winching knowledge has been a rising trend. But the limitation of needed fabricated, thus avoiding any system, the ROV this technology has been its capacity to upscale to the unnecessary ECOs. override intervention rising demands of the market for a ubiquitous solution. using a torque tool, During the same phase of the project, and the completed During the last 5 years, the industry has displayed a shift Petrobras was also able to vet two umbilical installation from using simulation as a training tool to an operations different configurations of debris beneath the floating and engineering support tool. Simulation solutions are cover designs. These covers were buoyancy were now used as a tool for streamlining “System Integration mounted at the end of pipe to shield all independently Testing” or “SIT”– where fabricated and mock-ups of the bell-mouths where the umbilicals verified, revised, heavy equipment are hoisted from cranes and offshore were to be pulled in. They used and rehearsed in operating procedures are rehearsed on land, as if they VMAX simulation to assess which the VMAX simulation were being executed in a subsea environment. configuration would provide the environment. optimal interface to engage with the Traditionally, during SIT, all parties in an offshore project ROV, as well as identifying all clashes Ultimately, Petrobras would be able to identify engineering flaws, procedure requiring redesign. was able to achieve inefficiencies, and potential project show stoppers. This overall efficiency in was often done late in the project. Because the equipment One major technical risk with this all aspects of the was already fabricated, however, any identification of project was that it had not been project execution issues that resulted in Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) attempted before. New equipment to the point where 36 was potentially costly. Through the use of simulation at the was being designed that had no track an operation that 3721 initial Front End Engineering Design stage (FEED), these record or evidence of previous use. initially took 8hrs costly ECOs and project delays could be avoided. A Their feasibility study was left to the in the simulation successful example of the use of simulation properly from assumptions of the engineering teams was condensed to start to finish was on the Cascade and Chinook project for designing them. 15mins (latch-dog Petrobras. Impact of simulation on offshore operations To reduce this risk, Petrobras operations for locking Virtual SIT – the future of offshore projects

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Project Simulation

industry standard formats, and can Upon being awarded the contract, For this reason, they have been using be passed from one organisation they can build on top of the VMAX solutions offshore onboard to another, simulation solutions proposed simulated solution, their vessels to assist in rapid solution should also provide the same and conduct a detailed cycle of response in these unforeseen EX-MATE Fallpipe Vessel Simulator interface. This has been the engineering design and validation in instances. Over the years, the cornerstone of the VMAX software the simulation. decision to augment their vessels With ever increasing requirements Dredging and marine construction corresponding monitoring and control offering – to create the means with simulation solutions has proven for connectors to operate in company Jan De Nul awarded Tree functions are operated from dedicated to remove the middle-man, and During this phase, 7-step process to be irrefutable. harzardous environments and C Technology, a contract for the consoles equal to the ones on board. provide an industry-wide solution can be used to quickly identify many applications now requiring development and delivery of a Fall To this end Tree C will source the for simulation. issues in design and provide The prospects of simulation quick and safe disconnection of Pipe Vessel Simulator. This will be equipment from the same original corrective action. With this process becoming an industry accepted connectors to be used in these used for personnel training of the Jan manufacturers, Ingeteam (ES) and Today many service companies in place for engineering, the same solution for Oil and Gas projects is environments SEA CON has De Nul Group’s fall pipe vessel Joseph Seatools (NL). and engineering firms use VMAX effort can then be conducted on the no longer in its proving phase. It has developed a new robust range of Plateau and its sister vessel Simon simulation products to design, operation and procedure plans. At moved from a state of a nice-to-have Exd connectors due to be released Stevin. The first part of the project will focus demonstrate, particularly to their each step, the offshore operation technology to a must-have solution. soon. on the actual production process, clients, their capabilities, in a virtual can be evaluated against the 7 step At the tendering stage, more offshore With a rock carrying capacity of i.e. control by the FP operator of the medium, on a project that potentially guideline for proper design using the projects are requesting one form or The EX-MATE is based around 31 500t, these fall pipe rock dumping stones’ flow and control of the fall does not even exist yet! VMAX Project Simulator. another of simulation validation and SEA CON’s existing and successful vessels are the largest of their kind in pipe and fall pipe ROV position. The verification. SEA-MATE connector range and the world and two of the few vessels second includes the building up and One well established service As soon as the engineering design is therefore fully wet-mateable in equipped for rock dumping in water breaking up processes of the fall pipe, operator has adopted the use of and the operating procedures have Forum Energy Technologies VMAX addition to its suitability for use in depths of 2000m. i.e. managing the pipe storage area simulation studies in all of its subsea been fully tested in a virtual-SIT, the product line provides a suite of explosive environments. This new and inserting or removing successive units globally, where every project company can finalise its validation solutions for offshore operation, live range will be available in 4 shell The FPV (fall pipe vessel) simulator pipe pieces to build up or break up the tendered or awarded includes by doing the real SIT before and offline. This provides capabilities sizes (G, K, L, M) with between 2 & is designed for interactive training of desired fall pipe assembly. simulation from its inception to on- deploying the project offshore. to companies, from subsea to top 37 contact configurations, however FPV operators in the most realistic site aboard the vessels. side vessels and cranes, both in- like the SEA-MATE range this series conditions. It provides training facilities In future the facility can be further Once offshore, unforeseen house for long-term capitalisations, has interchangeable inserts so for a wide range of operators and extended to a full mission simulator, Their success with implementing circumstances can arise during the and external short-term cost effective can be adapted to a number of pin skills including the Fall Pipe operator, including the Work Class ROV operator simulation at the enterprise level actual installation operation. In some plans. configurations. Surveyor, Operations’ superintendent and DP operator tasks. was presented to the industry cases, equipment may be installed and the Ship’s electrician. All the in their IMCA 2012 presentation with minor deviations from the It has a proven track record of large In addition, the EX-MATE for the WROV workshop. In this proposed plan during SIT. industry leaders already utilising it. incorporates an Atex approved presentation, they demonstrated The time to stay on the cutting edge gland system for the cable which is Cable Enterprise a systematic approach where 7 The compound effect of these is here, and companies’ competitive encapsulated within the overmold, critical factors were assessed using deviations could result in significant advantage depend on incorporating making it suitable for a number Prysmian has been investing to further offer turnkey products and services simulation for integrity in design of lost time while the crew offshore the right technology for their long- of applications including Topside boost its submarine project execution (including design, manufacture and offshore operating procedures. devises ways around these new term needs, and VMAX can provide FPSO, Drilling Vessels or where any capabilities in the conversion of its installation) to the offshore wind farms issues. that leverage. potentially explosive environment vessel Cable Enterprise from a moored growing market for some time and The seven points were exists. cable laying barge into a DP2 now it is investing again in this field”. 1) Access cable laying barge able to use ROV requirements 2) Stability its own propulsion within the The vessel will be converted : 7 Rules for 3) Manipulation work site. into a DP2 ship that will operate structure & 4) Tooling Interface equipment design autonomously without the need of “Our objective is to have a 5) Tooling Visibility 1 - Access tugs during cable laying and will have 6) Marking and Monitoring, 2 - Stabilisation more comprehensive control a total of 9.2 MW of power supplying 7) Tether and Installation traps. 3 - Manipulation over the supply chain by 6 thrusters. 4 - Tooling Interface insourcing a greater part of the The idea is simple. During the bid 5 - Tooling visibility installation work and extending Upgrade works include new decks phase, they quickly assemble their 6 - Marking & our installation range to the for accommodation and operation solution together in a simulated monitoring visibility MV sector, such as inter-array areas purposes and a new cable environment. They can then test 7 - Tether snag cable installation between tank for future HVDC projects. Most their proposed solution and present points & other ROV turbines”, explains Marcello importantly, the vessel will keep its 3839 3838 this to the end client. traps Del Brenna, CEO of Prysmian ability to ground out and operate in This immediately reduces risk by PowerLink. shallow waters. showing an actual execution as opposed to an artistic animation of “The Group has been aiming Conversion works contract has been what they intend to do. at expanding its ability to awarded to Viktor Lenac shipyard. EX-MATE

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 SUT Subsea Pipeline Design for based on a ‘friction’ coefficient of few have failed. For stability, there Challenging Seabeds, which followed 0.37, intended to be suitable for use have been a couple of instances of on from a preceding half-day session on calcareous soils that are endemic movement but very much less than is Evening Meeting, Aberdeen on pipelines and ocean sediments. to the field developments around predicted. Australia. Subsea HPHT Developments – A Case Study The original call for presentations In terms of pipeline buckling, there is yielded so much interest, that it was He also announced DNV’s plans to comparatively much less experience Wednesday, 12 March 2014 By David Kaye also possible to create a dedicated launch a JIP to revise DNV-RP-F109 to (especially on calcareous soils) to pipeline slugging session at AOG, apply and calibrate strain-based rather draw on for where engineered lateral The Aberdeen branch evening all combine to give a very complex The final presentation of the evening plus a subsequently held SUT than displacement-based limit criteria, buckling or axial walking mitigation meeting discussed subsea HPHT and technically challenging design was given by Angus MacRae of technical evening on pipeline-related as proposed by Tornes et al (2009). schemes have worked, or where field developments with particular problem. Ian concluded that many Technip. Technip will install the structure foundations. they have not. In this context, the reference to the Chevron Alder of the challenges are common to 10in/16in pipe-in-pipe system using Alastair Walker (INTECSEA) challenge of correctly predicting project. The Alder field is in the all HPHT projects, but each field the reel installation method. Angus The seminar kicked off with Nino contributed some insights into the the lifetime performance of a central North Sea and is being invariably requires a bespoke discussed how Technip has integrated Fogliani (Woodside) setting the scene effects rate dependent ‘friction’ has pipeline system is compounded by developed by Chevron through design in order to meet the specific reelable pipe-in-pipe bulkheads into and providing a keynote address on pipeline lateral buckling response, the question of long-term regional a 27km subsea tie-back to the operational conditions over the life of their reeled pipe-in-pipe systems. titled What’s your Paradigm?, which together with the effects of different sediment processes. Britannia platform. the asset. challenged the audience to consider static and dynamic FE modelling Angus summarised the initial the underlying assumptions we make techniques. That concluded the It was recognised that in many ConocoPhillips is a partner in the The second presentation was given engineering design, development and in pipe-soil interaction engineering, morning session, which I was very respects, the industry is still not development. The meeting was by Ian Stewart of Chevron. Ian gave testing (which was carried nearly a summarising the findings of the honoured to be able to chair. yet capturing key interactions such chaired by Steve Duthie, Shelf a very clear and concise summary decade ago) before describing recent STABLEpipe JIP to illustrate this point. as diagonal buckling, or the inter- Business Stream Manager at of the Alder development. The Alder projects where these reelable bulkhead This paradigm related to whether The afternoon session was chaired by dependent effects of scour induced Technip. Technip has the contract for field was discovered in 1975 in UKCS solutions have been installed. the pipeline or the seabed would Ian Finnie (AG), with Professor Dave spanning and hydrodynamic forces the installation of the subsea system Block 15/29a. be stable under extreme metocean White (UWA) as the next speaker. on buckling and stability. from wellhead through to the riser These projects include end bulkheads, conditions. Dave described some of the results base. The field lies in approximately 152 m intermediate bulkheads, and bulkheads of testing from the lab and from the A couple of Operator perspectives of water and will be developed as a installed to provide a mid-line methanol While the large majority of delegates field on the rate dependence and were voiced, including “if we put The presentations started with a single well tie back to Britannia. The injection capability. Alder will be the were in favour of adopting the new history dependence of axial ‘friction’, enough ZRBs in, does the problem review of the key considerations reservoir lies at a depth of 4480 m fourth Technip project with reelable paradigm, it represents a marked focussing on calcareous soils and the become deterministic again and in HPHT subsea pipeline design, and contains gas condensate at a bulkheads. Angus finished his change from present industry effects soil state has on response. go away?” to the more challenging presented by Ian Matheson of Atkins. closed in tubing head pressure and interesting presentation to face a large practice! “have we got the right paradigm – Atkins performed the FEED and flow temperature of 690 bar and 150 °C. number of questions from the audience. Ben Anderson (WGK) spoke next, with more inventive thinking, can we assurance work for the Alder project. Ian described some of the engineering James Taavale (S2V Consulting) describing the effects hydrodynamic get rid of all the structures by better Ian has substantial experience of challenges on Alder, including tree The chairman Steve Duthie called the provided us with some useful insights forces can have on pipeline lateral understanding these pipe-seabed HPHT pipeline design projects and selection, pressure management, meeting to a close with a round of into the implications and challenges buckling, including inversion of interactions?” used his knowledge to present a thermal management, flow assurance, thanks for three very interesting and of very wide value ranges between engineered seabed buckles during clear and accessible summary of pipeline integrity management, and professionally delivered presentations. lower-bound and upper-bound cyclonic conditions. The organisers of this event gratefully the different HPHT pipeline design the subsea facilities which have been An audience of 115 people joined with ‘friction’ factors in pipeline lateral acknowledge the sponsorship of challenges and solutions. Ian took designed to address them. Steve in their appreciation, and then buckling, with strategies for revising Amin Rismanchian (Fugro) then RMT Valvomeccanica, and the the example of design for pressure retired for another enjoyable buffet the upper bound value back to values discussed the question of drained ever-tireless organisation and event containment to illustrate the different The development makes use of an meal provided by the Hilton Treetops at which buckling can still occur, versus undrained responses in pipe- management by Joyce Bremner and design options available to the HPHT existing riser on Britannia but will Hotel. and therefore making a controlled soil-interaction and conditions under team. pipeline designer and the additional include a new topsides processing buckling scheme viable. which drainage has a significant engineering complexity when module. The subsea facilities include Our thanks are due to the chairman, effect. The final presentation for the In wrapping up this seminar, I was compared against conventional the first use of a vertical monobore the presenters and also the SUT Joe Tom (AG) described how SCIPE day was from Mark Marley (DNV) who struck by how well this event had pipelines. tree (rated to 15ksi) in the North Sea, a Aberdeen event sponsors (GE Oil and (SCour Induced Pipeline Embedment) described progress and challenges in exemplified the principles for which subsea HIPPS, a complex double loop Gas, Nautronix, OneSubsea, Technip, can have significant implications the efforts to unite the SAFEBUCK and SUT had been formed as a learned Design for pressure, design for cooling spool, a corrosion monitoring Wood Group Kenny, BPP-Tech and for pipeline lateral buckling design, DNV-RP-F110 design methodologies. society – to bring together academia, thermal strains, and design for flow spool, and a highly insulated 10in/16in KD Marine) for their support of a very dramatically increasing the pipeline Operators and engineers to assurance and fluid management pipe-in-pipe system. enjoyable event. embedment prior to initial operation. Following the conclusion of formal collaborate and share technological presentations, the day’s speakers achievements and challenges in Andy Rathbone (WGK) followed were then invited to form a panel, the context of a non-commercially with a description of how an elegant with the proposed theme of “how can focused environment. and efficient approach to Structural we improve the interfaces between AOG Subsea Conference 2014 Perth Branch Reliability Analysis (SRA) can be pipeline and geotechnical engineering To this end, and with great thanks used at each phase in a project’s life when it comes to challenging seabeds, from Ian and myself, the day’s cycle, including sensitivity studies and in that context, how can we success stems from the enthusiasm Adapting & Optimising Subsea Pipeline Design for Challenging Seabeds during FEED and to capture complex improve the balance between ‘cook- and involvement from each of the book’ versus ‘descriptive’ design speakers, together with the active by Terry Griffiths, Wood Group Kenny statistical distributions and parameter 4240 covariance during detailed design. codes?”. participation of the audience. Now, 4121 SUT have again actively participated the management and branding of the Society of Underwater Technology’s how on earth can we beat this for next in the annual Australasian Oil AOG conference, with subsea-focused Perth Branch. Olivier Royet (DNV) then informed The observation was made that the year?!!! and Gas (AOG) Exhibition and technical content still arranged with the us about DNV’s progress in revising evidence for how we are doing as Conference. This year saw the collaborative partnership of Subsea One of SUT’s streams was a one-day the stability design curves in DNV- an industry is in the failures. When The next AOG Subsea Conference Subsea conference integrated into UK, Subsea Energy Australia and the seminar on Adapting & Optimising RP-F109 to provide an alternative it comes to pipeline spans, very will be held 11 & 12th March 2015.

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 SUT Evening Meetings

Evening Meeting, London Evening Meeting, London Inhibitor Dosage Rates and Corrosion - A CFD Model Investigating Inhibitor Development of Diving, Yesterday to Today Over-Dosing and Increased Corrosion Rates in Subsea Pipelines Thursday, 16 January 2014 By Fabien Martinez Thursday, 13 March 2014 By Derek Nobbs The London SUT meeting was the top wall of the pipe and how it validation of the results through The Chairman, Dr Bob Allwood, tunnels when Isambard Kingdom Brunel helmet to the suit gave rise to the opened by Chief Executive, Dr can slide down the side walls. comparison with experimental welcomed the audience and repaired a collapse by throwing clay filled standard diving dress which was to Bob Allwood who introduced Turbulence in the flow induces observations provided by Imperial introduced the speaker for the bags into the breach (1827). revolutionise diving for use in civil Dr Deng-Jr Peng, senior flow splashing which transports inhibitor College and benchmarking with evening, Dr John Bevan, an authority engineering, salvage and naval assurance engineer at Intecsea particles which aggregate and build other CFD analysis. on the history of diving. This changed when two brothers, Charles operations. and speaker for the evening. scale on the existing protective film. and John Deane, invented a diving helmet The talk was focused on dosage Intecsea plan to use this type of The history of diving as presented fed with pumped air. Unfortunately the Limitations to diving depth were of chemical inhibitors in subsea If these scale build-ups become modelling in the future to provide kicks off at the time of the industrial air was only retained in the helmet which attributed to the hand operated carbon steel pipelines. too heavy, they can drop off the advice on a system by system revolution when diving bells were was not sealed to a waterproof suit. This air pumps, but as these obstacles walls or create discontinuities in the basis to establish the maximum used to clear harbours and rivers of meant that the head had to remain vertical were overcome and diving depths Corrosion cannot be avoided protective film that can be washed allowable dosage of inhibitor to wreckage and recover valuables. otherwise water came in. However, this increased, effects of decompression in subsea pipelines therefore away by flow shear forces. maintain the required corrosion Operating in these conditions was apparatus was successful in recovering sickness became apparent. preventative actions are protection efficiency. akin to being in space – so little was canon and other artefacts from the Mary essential. Pipelines can be made Over-dosing the chemical inhibitors known of the working conditions due Rose and Royal George shipwrecks. Alexander Lambert, whilst recovering inherently corrosion safe using may accelerates the build-up of After a round of questions from the to visibility being so poor. This was boxes of gold worth £25m in today’s corrosion resistant alloys (CRA) scale on the pipe walls and as a audience answered by Dr Peng a labour intensive operation with Refinements made during the course of money from a wreck, suffered from but this option is very expensive. result significantly reduce their together with some colleagues, the cast iron bell weighing 5t being this work saw the advent of the waterproof the “bends” as it was to become Alternatively, the use of chemical protective effect. participants enjoyed networking manipulated on cranes all manually canvas suit and a non-return valve added known. This problem was studied corrosion inhibitors can prove to over the traditional wine and worked. A most notable use of a bell to the helmet. These modifications along extensively and as its causes were be an efficient way to reduce the Dr Peng has undertaken some cheese. was the repair of one of the Thames with various methods of attaching the identified, the Admiralty, in 1904, corrosion rate of internal carbon published decompression tables steel pipe walls. which form the basis of those in use today. Injected in small concentration in a pipe fluid stream, inhibitors Evening Meeting, Newcastle Diving developed to include adsorb themselves forming a military operations, notably the use protective film on the internal pipe Well Intervention of ‘chariots’ to place explosives walls. By Sophie Wiehl, Atkins and in civil engineering for such Wednesday, 19th March 2014 applications as building caissons Efficiency of inhibitors can be 42 people attended the seminar Category C is used for heavy opera- of Severn Subsea Technologies tool is a modular design, meaning that for bridge foundations generally. affected by the presence of focussed on well intervention, which in- tions such as complete change out or (SST) focused on SST’s partnership it can be manufactured in pieces at dif- Inspection of port facilities and debris in the pipe but they are cluded an introduction to the topic and repair of a well and a full drilling rig is with the Badger Explorer project in ferent locations. pipelines as well as underwater also sensitive to flow rate and flow a more detailed look into new products required. Norway. The Badger Explorer is in fabrication and repairs became regime. In presence of high flow and technologies. Dr Jerry Baker was development as an alternative to A full prototype has been produced routine. Early noteworthy feats rates, the protective film is often the chairman for the night and opened After a brief overview of the system current subsea exploration methods and is currently being tested but the include the underpinning the stripped from the inner surface of by introducing the speakers. and the history of RWLI, Drummond to map hydrocarbon resources and current limitation of the Explorer is the foundations of Winchester Cathedral, the pipe by shear forces exerted explained that, for category A and B provide long-term field surveillance. length of the cable, as it can only carry all dug by hand until sealed with by the flow, thereby reducing the The first speaker was Drummond well intervention, the entire vessel, 200m. cement bags and pumped dry, to corrosion protection. Lawson from Subsea Technologies including all the services, is contracted The Badger Explorer aims to remove allow masons access to complete (STL). Drummond explained that well as one. This means that if one element the need for conventional drilling In addition to the Badger Explorer, their work. Dr Peng’s research highlights intervention is the process of re-enter- fails then the whole system goes off- rigs that are expensive and may SST is developing valve technology for how inhibitor dosage can also ing existing subsea wells and can be hire, so all components need to be not give the same level of detail. It processing in deepwater fields. The In the current age, diving support influence corrosion rates. The divided into three categories, A to C. reliable but easily repaired. is designed to drill autonomously, valves need to be as small, light and vessels (DSVs) are high technology results of a computational fluid monitor continuously and bury itself reliable and so are subject to extensive ships with control systems dynamics (CFD) model were Category A, Riserless Subsea Well This has led to the development of the by passing cuttings through the tool testing. The mechanical HIPPS valve is continuously supporting saturation presented demonstrating the Intervention (RLWI), is the cheapest STL Stackable Lightweight Intervention which it then compacts to create a currently being developed and will be diving crews at the pressure of the counter-productive effect over- method and can be used as a diag- Connector (SLIC) which sits at the top seal. used between two pipelines of different worksite. Two three-man diving dosing of inhibitors can have on nostic tool but pumping of fluid is not of the RLWI system, and is simple to pressure in order to protect the lower bells with crews living at pressure corrosion protection. possible. RWLI vessels are dynamical- repair. Additionally, STL have devel- The tool is designed to be launched pressure pipeline. It is simpler than the performing shifts have rest periods ly positioned and are used on projects oped the Xtreme Release Connector from a small vessel and there will current valves used, as well as having like any other shift worker, except Two-phase fluid (air-water) such as Christmas tree change outs. for the Workover Riser Intervention be several of them buried at various a higher resistance to wax deposition. that after 28 days on duty they 4321 4242 behaviour was investigated for System which will still be able to places across the reservoir. The Ex- decompress and are replaced by the common pipe configurations Category B, Workover Riser Interven- release at high angles between the plorer will constantly transmit back Subsea Technologies and Severn Sub- next crew. ROV back-up provides (horizontal, vertical, bent). It tion Systems, can be used for pumping connector and the riser. to an office and can measure real sea Technologies sponsored the event. lighting and support from the topside provided an understanding of of fluids and long tool strings, as well time resistivity, distributed tempera- Thanks are extended to the speakers and adds to the safety of today’s how the inhibitor is distributed on as RWLI activities. George Hall and Cameron Marshall, ture and strain, and pressure. The for their contribution to the evening. diving industry.

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Subsea Awareness Course at TAMU Outstanding quality,

By Stephanie Koenig, secretary of SUT-TAMU

The Society for Underwater Technology–Texas A&M University student chapter (SUT-TAMU) has excellent customer continued to improve and grow in popularity since our inaugural event held on September 27, 2013. With over 150 attendees at our first official event, and growing attendance in our seminar series and board service, exceptional and general meetings, our student chapter continues to foster excitement regarding our upcoming activities.

On March 21st, SUT-TAMU held its first-ever one-day SUT Subsea innovation and great Awareness Course. Designed to be an introduction to the subsea industry and the latest underwater technology taught by industry professionals, the Why a subsea awareness course? course is normally offered by SUT as a five-day course. This one-day version The ten sessions covered a variety and Ocean Flow Intl. for sponsoring was offered free of charge to students of subsea-related topics: subsea the mid-morning and mid-afternoon value for money. and TAMU affiliates. field architecture, offshore site refreshments; and INTECSEA for investigation and geotechnics, sponsoring lunch to the nearly 100 The one-day course featured ten mooring and subsea installations, attendees. Imenco is an EPC contractor to the maritime sector sessions and the following speakers: AUV/ROV system for long-term providing mechanical and electronic equipment along Roger Osborne, Zenon Medina-Cetina, deployment, mobile offshore Additionally, we wish to commend David Cobb, Chris Roper, Bruce production systems, networking Roger Osborne, John Allen, and with bespoke engineering solutions to major oil, Crager, Don Wells, Ron Ledbetter, Phil and job hunting tips, the role Zenon Medina-Cetina for their subsea and drilling companies worldwide. Walsh, David Lauer, and John Allen. of engineering analysis, pipe ongoing contribution to SUT-TAMU technology, intervention equipment, and their essential collaborative The event sold out weeks in advance; and subsea processing/flow efforts; and to Jodi Roberts for imenco.com the audience of over 50 people assurance. Anyone interested in her help in identifying interested included Texas A&M University viewing the course’s presentations recruitment companies. The One-Day undergraduate and graduate can find them at http://sut.tamu.edu/ SUT Subsea Awareness Course is students from five different campus events/onedaycourse/presentations. sure become an anticipated annual departments, Texas A&M University event at Texas A&M. faculty, and students Directly adjacent to the one-day from the University course classroom was space for SUT- Be sure to stay updated with of Texas at TAMU to hold a recruitment fair. Open SUT-TAMU at sut.tamu.edu or our Austin. to all Texas A&M University students, Facebook page, and feel free to the event included recruiters from contact us at [email protected]. the following underwater technology companies looking for interns and All photos by Lise Sieber, Historian job applicants: Astrimar Consultants, at TAMU This is what our reputation has been built on. FMC Technologies, Geoscience Earth & Marine Services, Inc. (GEMS), Helix Energy Solutions, Hunting Subsea Technologies, For further information about Imenco products and services either InterMoor, INTECSEA, Saipem, SUT-Houston, and Unitech. The contact our US office +1-713-480-7777 [email protected] or our UK office companies, collectively, received nearly 100 CVs and interviewed over 120 interested students. +44 (0)1224 701749 [email protected] quoting OTC14 or visit imenco.com

The SUT-TAMU Student Chapter would like to thank BP Chemicals

UT2 April May 2014 AVIATION | DIVING | ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT | LIFTING & HANDLING | SUBSEA | WORKSHOP UT2 April May 2014

IME-14-0007-UT2-pub-1-apr-2014.indd 1 18/03/2014 13:48 Open Access to Underwater Technology Project Simulation

Geotech Trenchers

As of the first issue of Volume Green OA. Gold OA means that costs of publishing are recovered 32, published in March 2014, the publishing journal provides through the APC. In completely the Society for Underwater immediate and unrestricted online shifting the funding base for the Technology’s academic journal, access to the final published journal, the publisher will have to Underwater Technology, is being version of the paper without any balance the level of the APC with the attractiveness of the specific journal published as an “Open Access” additional restrictions on how that Rentals journal. paper can be re-used. for publishing in.

Open Access (OA) means that Because this type of publication The journal may be one that is the full journal content is being essentially removes any need to central to a particular research published online in a format subscribe to the journal, the costs area and so will remain attractive to that is free to download by any can be retrieved by the researcher publish in. Alternatively the journal reader. In addition, Open Access having to pay an “article processing may have a high Impact Factor to Underwater Technology is charge” (APC) to the journal. Some (IF); researchers gain credit for being granted immediately on APCs can be significant amounts, publishing in higher IF journals. LARS publication of every issue of the ranging from several hundreds, to There is also the probability that journal. several thousands of Pounds per at this stage of the shift in how VisualSoft article. academic publishing is being This may seem an odd choice financed, just being a Gold OA to take from a business point Green OA refers to journals that journal may be enough of an of view, but the decision to do consent to depositing published attractant. this is being driven by a number papers into a repository where, of directives. The principal finally, there will be no restriction Gold OA does open up a series of Work Class ROV TMS driving factor has come from the on non-commercial re-use within questions related to the quality of Research Councils UK (RCUK) a defined period. The RCUK’s peer review when income to the and the UK Government’s target for the period of restricted journal is based on acceptance commitment to ensure that access is no more than six months, of the paper. There is now a huge published research findings although there is a transition period number of Open Access journals should be freely accessible. of 12 months for some areas of available to publish in, at a fee. research. Pig launchers and receivers This commitment is being The level of peer review in some implemented through the RCUK This permits journals that still rely of these journals is lacking and Observation ROVs Personnel Policy on Open Access (http:// on subscriptions to charge readers the inference is that some OA www.rcuk.ac.uk/RCUK-prod/ to access papers when they are journals are operating simply to assets/documents/documents/ first published, but there must be generate income through the APC. RCUKOpenAccessPolicy.pdf) a commitment to make the papers (Interested readers are directed which expects all researchers Open Access within the limits to the article “Who’s Afraid of receiving Research Council expected by the RCUK. In these Peer Review?” by John Bohannon funding to publish in open access types of journal an APC would not – https://www.sciencemag.org/ journals. be expected. content/342/6154/60.full.)

Although the policy is based at There are a limited number of Remaining Green OA gives the Moffat Hot Stabs Tooling Buoyancy ROVdrill the level of “expectance” there technicalities surrounding the publisher some control of income are already signs that this policy Green route for OA but, in the through subscription but this looks will be audited in the near future. vast majority of cases, if a journal like a publication route that will And it’s not just the UK, the offers neither a Green nor a Gold increasingly come under threat European Commission is pushing compliant route, it is not eligible to through directives from funding for a growing amount of research take RCUK funded work. And there bodies, in addition to the potential funded through its Framework can be no doubt that preference is for opening competition between 7 and Horizon 2020 research being shown for the Gold route. Green and Gold OA journals. programmes to be published in 46 open access journals. So journal publishers are faced with The potential saving grace for Green 21 a number of options. Gold OA is OA journals at present comes from www.f-e-t.com/subsea So what is Open Access? obviously the preferred option for the lack of APC on the researcher. It research funders and researchers will be interesting to see if Green OA There are, in fact, two forms of but this means the publisher has journals maintain their impact factors OA, sometimes termed Gold and to remodel the business to ensure in the short- to medium-term.

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 Monitor.

So what does this all mean for the non-SUT members was only available In addition to the new issues Maintain. journal Underwater Technology? through payment of a fee. This meant of Underwater Technology, the This is the academic journal that that the journal was neither Gold nor SUT has decided to make a is published by the Society for Green OA compliant. back-catalogue of journals, from Underwater Technology (SUT) as part Volume 21 Issue 1 (Summer 1995) Maximize. of its operation as a learned society. Through a series of discussions, onwards, all Open Access. variously based around whether to The journal has had a varied life follow the Gold or Green route to OA, –The full SUT Open Access and although, at present, it doesn’t the Society decided on adopting Gold catalogue can be found at http:// A whole new approach have an official Impact Factor, it is OA from the beginning of 2014. In www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ now being published regularly with addition, while the journal does not have sut/unwt. a growing publication and citation an official IF, there will be no APC for to production performance. record (Sayer, 2013 – dx.doi. publishing in Underwater Technology. There will be ongoing monitoring org/10.3723/ut.31.161). of the effects Gold-route OA This policy is aimed at promoting publishing has on the journal. The journal is provided to all SUT the journal as an attractive route for In the meantime, readers are members and also attracts a limited publishing while acknowledging that, at encouraged to make full use of subscription income. Until recently, present, the current status of the journal this new, free to access resource the journal was also available in does not make APC appropriate to for all researchers in and users of electronic format but access for researchers. underwater technology.

New technologies. New analytics. New vessel-based intervention capabilities. FMC Technologies brings them all together in an integrated package we call Life-of- Field Services. Now, for the first time, you can monitor 100% of the data your subsea system produces, schedule repairs before equipment fails, and reduce intervention costs by 40 - 50%. That means better information and better control for you to maximize your field’s production.

Copyright © FMC Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

www.fmctechnologies.com

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 UT2 University A permanent feature, UT2 looks at aspects of the industry assuming no prior knowledge. In-line inspection (ILI) is a fundamental flow 1 Pipeline Pigging assurance practice. Paul Otway, Senior Subsea Engineer at engineering firm Jee Ltd talks to UT2 about the technique and aspects of its operation.

Gauge pigs Steel pipe degrades over time due to which push against the pipeline wall These incorporate thin metal plates pipe they are used in. A growth corrosion, erosion etc. ILI is a method to remove solids and wax. near the disc seal. Any restrictions in tool size, therefore manifests of collecting data on its condition to within the pipe result in these plates as in increase in length. This may allow an assessment of its fitness for “It is important that debris is picked becoming dented. They do not compromise the ability of the pig purpose. This is achieved by passing up in a controlled manner,” said specifically note the location of a to move round a bend. A solution a tool called an intelligent pig through Otway, “especially in pipes requiring restrictions, but an undeformed disk is is to design the tool in numerous the pipeline’s bore and reviewing the multiple cleaning runs. sufficient to approve the subsequent sections, connected together by return data to identify material loss use of an ILI tool. universal joints, in a train. and other anomalies. There may be “If too much debris is gathered, it can many other operations that have to be create a blockage in front of the pig, Calliper pigs “In the past,” said Otway, “it was carried out prior to such a tool being A number of brush cleaning pigs All images: Jee Ltd causing it to possibly stick. The best When more detailed information on common that tools were designed run. way to manage this, therefore, is by a a restriction is required, an operator to negotiate a bend radius of 5D Inspection Pig progressive cleaning campaign. The can use a calliper pig. Calliper arms (five times the diameter of the “In-line inspection has great value at An inspection pig typically consists pipe wall necessary to collect good application of increasingly aggressive running along the pipe surface can pipe). many stages throughout the life cycle of a body containing the functional quality, meaningful data. tools gives greater confidence that track the position and magnitude of of a project,” said Paul Otway. “Early component, housed between two the line is passable.” any deflections. “Nowadays, most tools can work in in the pipeline’s life, particularly prior plastic disc sets. These discs form At the very start of a pipe, the operator 3D bends and some in 1.5D bends. to start up, it can be used to detect a near-seal with the inner wall of the may run commissioning pigs. Fitted Scraper or pin pigs can be used “The diameter of a pig must be One problem, however, is back- manufacturing defects. This provides pipe. A differential pressure applied with magnets, these pick up ferrous to dig into the hardened debris of matched to pass through the pipe,” to-back bends when the same an original record against which across the pig, large enough to debris (welding rods, hammers, etc). the pipe wall. Such tools need to said Otway.“Some pipelines, however, tool passes through two bends of future inspections can be correlated overcome frictional resistance, can This may be followed by a foam be selected with care to avoid pipe consist of sections with different different planes at the same time.” to show which features were original move it along the pipeline. pig. These low-risk devices are damage. diameters. Any pig has to be able to and which subsequently developed. particularly used in pass through the smaller bore without Inline Inspection. Inspecting a line every 2–5 years Many pigs are also fitted with early cleaning stages, Some pig designs have a pressure being stuck yet be able to travel There are two main methods of allows growth rates to be assessed. odometers and orientation sensors especially for pipelines bypass feature through the pig. This through the larger bore and maintain inline inspection – magnetic flux such as gyroscopes. These allow that have not been can control pig velocity while the flow the seal. leakage (MFL) and ultrasonic “ILI may also be used on pipelines the position of anomalies in the pigged before. through the pig generates turbulence detection. that did not originally envisage pipe to be pinpointed in terms and keeps sand and particulates “A sudden flow bypass around the pigging. In mature fields, for example, of distance and position on the “Foam pigs are used entrained within the main flow, not seal’s edge can stop the pig from Magnetic Flux Leakage increasing water cut, not present at pipe circumference. Pressure, to sweep liquid and allowing them to settle. moving. Step changes can also cause Tools are characterised by finger- the startup, may change conditions temperature and tool velocity solids,” said Otway. tool damage.” like arrays protruding from the within the pipe.” properties are also typically Diameter tool’s main body. These arms have measured as they have an effect on “Their main positive Before inline inspection tools can The industry has developed pig magnetic flux detectors on the tips. Pigging is equally useful in mature the quality of the data detected. factor is that they be employed, it is vital to prove that designs to work in multi-diameter The rest of the tool accommodates areas, especially where improved are able to negotiate the internal diameter of the line is pipelines. One such consists of an the power and data storage recovery or tie-ins has meant that the Before running an ILI operation, bends and restrictions sufficient to allow the pig to pass. overlapping disc that can seal at systems. line may be required to be operated it may be necessary to clean the with a low risk of them There are two types of pigs that allow both diameters. An alternative is a beyond its original design life. pipe. This is carried out to remove getting stuck. If they this - gauge pigs and calipers. single seal composed of a material The permanent or electromagnets Inspection can prove its fitness for any restrictions in the pipe bore that do stall and pressure that allows it to collapse into a folded magnetise the pipe wall. Any purpose, and for how much it can be might prevent the inspection pig builds up behind them, petal formation. Desanding pigs may changes in pipe wall (from cracks, operated. It can also suggest when from passing through, while also they simply disintegrate, feature discs with segmented cups corrosion, etc) alter the shape of a change in the operating regime is ensuring a good contact with the returning to the trap, in a Gauge pig with three that are allowed to collapse. the magnetic field. This is picked required such as increasing corrosion number of pieces. These differently sized up by an array of sensors. inhibition. pieces are collected in a gauge plates “The length of the pig is also filter and removed. important,” said Otway. “The more “In a non-corroded section, two “Running ILI tools, however, can be complex the inspection system, brushes form an electric circuit with a high risk activity and should be “Foam pigs can also be fitted the larger the electronics package. the resulting magnetic flux passing treated accordingly,” he warned. “Pig with wire brushes to carry out Similarly, tools, used in long distance through the pipe wall,” said Otway. traps, for example, are ostensibly active cleaning duties without pipelines typically require a larger “In a defect, however, there is pressure vessels that need to be increasing the risk of getting onboard power supply.” less metal through which the flux operated with care. Debris brought stuck.” can pass. Consequently, some back from a pigging run can be toxic The size of the tools, however, are of it, leaks out and it is this that is 4848 or radioactive. From a commercial Cleaning pigs are a more restricted by the diameter of the detected by the sensor.” 4921 perspective, running anything through efficient method of removing the bore of a pipe carries the risk of a debris around the line. These MFL tools can measure internal stuck pig, which can potentially stop incorporate bushes on the disk edge Cleaning pig after being run and external corrosion defects and through a pipeline production flow.” Foam and wire-brush foam cleaning pigs or on spring loaded arms on the waist, travel at a rate of around 1-5m/sec.

UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014 UT2 University: Pipeline Pigging

OptoLink Fibre optic connectors

NDT Global High Pressure High Temperature (HP/HT ) Ultrasonic inline inspection tool images: Jee Ltd

Ultrasonic tools (UT) A common alternative to magnetic flux leakage is to use ultrasonic this and the second returning wave tools. These are made up of is proportional to the metal thickness various modules (batteries, sensors of the wall. Combining the two traces carriers, etc) that can be used in results in an internal and external pipe at 30-45deg. This returns different different numbers and combinations surface plot. features in the wall than would be depending on the type of survey. revealed by normal UT inspection, “As with all tools, it is necessary to especially external stress or corrosion “Surveying longer lengths of pipe, have a clean line,” said Otway. “Wax based cracks.” Available worldwide for example, requires more battery and debris will absorb the acoustic modules than others,” said Otway. signal and not enough information will HTHP “While sensors carriers can be reflected back to register with the The growing development of High be changed depending on the detectors.” Temperature/High Pressure (HPHT) characteristics of the pipe.” fields has resulted in a response from Standard depth rating Ultrasonic tools also need to be run the inline inspection industry. The ultrasonic tool consists of a slower than MFL tools in order to get 6,000 metres number of probes that transmit an good quality data, 0.5-1m/sec. Their “Most tools are rated at 120–150 bar,” acoustic signal into the pipe wall. accuracy is also diminished when said Otway, “but in water depths of This is first reflected back by the passing through tight radius bends around 1500m water, pressures of inner wall surface and then again, because the signal is not always 400 bar are possible when liquid by the outer wall surface. Both the reflected back to the sensor and can when liquid static head and pump returning waves are then detected manifest as a dropped signal. pressure are considered.” by a sensor. The same is true for a valve body that The industry has responded with the “This method requires a liquid is too thick. Sensors may temporarily development of larger, more robust couplant to conduct the signal, come away from the wall when it pressure vessels, although it can which in turn means that ultrasonic passes across a girth weld. cause difficulty in tool sizing with less tools are generally applicable to space available within each module, liquid-filled lines,” said Otway. “They “Ultrasonic tools are more sensitive eg, for batteries. The relatively can be used in gas lines if the local than magnetic flux leakage systems, heavier tool can make loading the area containing the probes are and can reveal metal losses down to pig launcher and receiving the pig, encased in a slug of liquid. a fraction of a millimetre,” said Otway. harder. “It is important, however, that the Expanded beam “If you know the acoustic properties liquid that the signal passes through High temperatures also affect Unlimited number of the medium that the tool is being is homogenous, or the data can be tooling design. The polyurethane in lenses driven in, it is possible to calculate skewed. Ultrasonic data is also often sealing packages rapidly degrades of matings distances from the time of flight.” easier to interpret than MFL data. at temperatures over 80degC. Alternative materials such as The first pipe reflection comes off “It is conventional to direct the sensor neoprene, nitrile or Viton seals can the inner wall surface and is known 90deg to the pipe wall, however, it operate in 100–120 degC, however, as the stand off. The time between is also possible to angle the sensors these are not as durable.

2150

Worldwide solutions A gas magnetic flux leakage GMFL and spiral magnetic flux leakage SMFL configuration pigging tool Image: TD Williamson Denmark Norway United Kingdom USA France Netherlands Germany Bahrain Australia Singapore UT2 April May 2014 UT2 April May 2014