Rapid Response to Deliver Clean Coating Removal at 1 000 MWD

CASE STUDY

Connector Subsea Solutions (CSS) Coating Removal Tool deployed for urgent offshore campaign

01 // CSS Deepwater CRT offshore deployment

CALLED IN AT SHORT NOTICE AFTER ANOTHER TOOL FAILED ONSHORE TRIALS, CONNECTOR SUBSEA SOLUTIONS
(CSS) MOBILISED ITS PATENTED DEEPWATER COATING REMOVAL TOOL (CRT), ROV SKID, CONTROL SYSTEM
AND OFFSHORE PERSONNEL TO DELIVER CLEAN, DAMAGE-FREE COATING REMOVAL ON A 12″ PIPELINE IN
APPROXIMATELY 1 000 MWD. THIS RAPID RESPONSE, AIRFREIGHT MOBILISATION AND THE BARE-METAL FINISH
WERE CRITICAL TO KEEPING DECOMMISSIONING WORK ON TRACK.

Project Background

An operator in the US Gulf of Mexico needed coating removed on
a 20-year-old pipeline at two locations. The pipeline was coated
with 3LPE over FBE, with removal lengths of about 3 m and 2
m. The operation was initially planned using a tool supplied by
another party, however, during onshore trials that tool was slow to
remove coatings and damaged the parent pipe. In contrast, CSS’s
Deepwater Coating Removal Tool delivered a clean, damage-free
finish and operated about ten times faster, bringing the schedule
back on track. As a result, the scope was reassigned to CSS at
short notice, and the team mobilised from Port Fourchon.

Project Scope

Tooling: CSS Deepwater CRT with CSS ROV Skid and
Control System
Personnel: CSS field service technicians
Water depth: ~1 000 m
Pipe specifications: 12″ pipe OD, 3LPE coating with FBE
base
Removal lengths: ~3 m (Location 1) and ~2 m (Location 2)

Project Challenges

Time was the main constraint. The order came during a holiday
period in Norway, and airfreight was the only viable option to
meet the offshore window. The operator also demanded a clean,
undamaged finish, ruling out abrasive mechanical systems,
while traditional water-jetting would have been impractical at
these depths.

Connector Subsea Solutions (CSS) CRT preparing for onshore System Integration Test (SIT)

02 // CSS Deepwater CRT preparing for onshore System Integration
Test (SIT).

CSS's CRT with a retrieved pipe section after coating removal.

03 // CSS Deepwater CRT and ROV Skid packed and ready for offshore deployment

04 // CSS Deepwater CRT checked by CSS field service technician
prior to offshore deployment

05 // CSS Deepwater CRT during offshore operation

Solution and Approach

The CSS team moved quickly to complete packing and test
preparations to keep the plan on track. The team proposed its
field-proven deepwater CRT from its rental pool and mobilised
the equipment by air within days. The CRT’s unique mechanical
process removes insulation and corrosion coatings, including
FBE, at any water depth without harming the parent pipe.

“Key to the success of the offshore campaign was CSS’s ability to mobilise people and equipment at pace for this critical project, even while many of the team were on leave. Everyone went above and beyond—and that commitment kept the schedule intact and delivered a successful outcome.”

Rob Davies

Managing Director, CSS Deepwater Solutions

What We Delivered

Quality of finish: The scope demanded a clean, damagefree,
bare-metal surface, delivered consistently at around
1 000 mwd.
Time efficiency: The coating removal process is quick and
efficient, cutting offshore time and helping keep the wider
campaign on schedule.
Proven kit and offshore support: CSS provided a team of
engineers, including two personnel for onshore trials and
an extended contingent for 24-hour offshore operations.