Connector Subsea Solutions
Our Chief Technology Officer, Kristen Andrew Foshaug, will present a unique approach to holding back “walking” pipelines with thick thermal insulation.
Anchor and holdback clamps are specifically designed to grip onto the pipeline to retain its movement and prevent pipeline walking, which left unchecked can cause cumulative axial displacement leading to potential failures at tie-ins or risers. Traditional methods require the coating to be removed to enable a structural interface with the bare pipe. However, removing pipe coating and interfacing with the bare pipe in typical deepwater applications can carry significant risks associated with cold spots and corrosion, in addition to the challenge of removing coating in a deepwater environment. This paper describes a clamp solution that grips directly onto the pipeline coating, dealing with challenges of creep of the thermal insulation as well as thermal expansion/contraction during operation cycles. Features included in the CSS clamp solution:
- Radial creep compensation allowing a high load input and catering for thermal expansion/contraction
- HISC and corrosion protection of springs
- Radial creep compensation allowing a high load input and catering for thermal expansion/contraction
- HISC and corrosion protection of springs
- High degree of coating confinement leading to optimized coating behaviour
- Radial activation of gripping
- Precise load control of gripping force to avoid local collapse of the pipeline and overstressing the coating
- Possibility of in-service inspection to verify creep values during the clamp’s lifetime
- Deepwater ROV-installable and retrievable
An extensive full-scale test and qualification programme was performed to validate important principles of the solution. After successful completion of the test programme, the order of two permanent clamps was sanctioned. The two clamps were installed successfully at 830m water depth in December 2020.
Learn more from Kristen during his presentation on Thursday 22nd September at 4pm, in The Tower Hotel, London, UK.
For more information, please visit SPT Congress 2022
