Umbilical, flexible, riser buoyancy

API 17L CERTIFICATION

• Third party verification

TYPICAL APPLICATION

• Uninsulated flexible risers
• Insulated flexible risers
  
  

MODULE COMPONENTS

• Internal clamp
• Foam filled rotomoulded shell
• Foam filled GRP skin
• Module straps and fasteners
• Integrated lifting holes

BENEFITS

• Globally established clamping technology with exposure to a wide variety of subsea environments
• High degree of familiarity with operators and installation contractors leading to optimised installation campaigns
• When multiple designs are required, standardised parts and tooling can be utilised (where possible)
• Large uplifts (>5te) can be accommodated on rigid lines where conditions allow
• Suitable for large modules (>2te)
• Suitable for small modules (<2te)
• Can accept large line variations
• Optimised distributon of contact pressure
• Increased circumferential coverage

API 17L CERTIFICATION

• Third party verification

TYPICAL APPLICATION

• Umbilicals
• Steel risers/flowlines
• Uninsulated flexible risers

MODULE COMPONENTS

• Internal clamp
• Foam filled rotomoulded shell
• Foam filled GRP skin
• Module straps and fasteners
• Integrated lifting holes

BENEFITS

• Low cost separate clamp
• Lightweight clamp segments leading to improved handleability
• High strength low creep material utilised for clamp body
• Suitable for small modules (<2te)
• Optimised distributon of contact pressure
• Increased circumferential coverage

API 17L CERTIFICATION

• Third party verification

TYPICAL APPLICATION

• Umbilicals
• Steel risers/flowlines
  
  

MODULE COMPONENTS

• Integrated clamp
• Foam filled rotomoulded shell
• Foam filled GRP skin
• Module straps and fasteners
• Integrated lifting holes

BENEFITS

• Low cost integrated clamping solution
• Minimised number of components
• Minimised vessel space
• Minimised installation time
• Minimised deck real estate
• Improved delivery time
• Minimised subcontracted components
• Suitable for small modules (<2te)

API 17L CERTIFICATION

• Third party verification

TYPICAL APPLICATION

• Steel risers/flowlines
• Uninsulated flexible risers
• Insulated flexible risers

MODULE COMPONENTS

• Integrated clamp
• Foam filled rotomoulded shell
• Foam filled GRP skin
• Module straps and fasteners
• Integrated lifting holes

BENEFITS

• Low cost integrated clamping solution
• Minimised number of components
• Minimised vessel space
• Minimised installation time
• Minimised deck real estate
• Improved delivery time
• Minimised subcontracted components
• Suitable for large modules (>2te)
• Suitable for small modules (<2te)
• Can accept large line variations
• Low resultant max clamping pressure
• Even distributon of contact pressure
• Increased circumferential coverage

Optimised buoyancy system with built-in clamp

The new integrally clamped module, Type Approved to API 17L standards, removes the need for a separate clamping system by attaching directly onto flowlines, rigid risers, umbilicals, flexible risers, etc.

Customised pads placed within the recess of the module accommodate expansion and contraction generating optimal clamp load distribution around the pipe providing an extended contact area, low clamping pressure and high levels of slippage resistance.

The pads also accommodate deviations of the outer diameter of the host line while the integral modules and installation methods can be installed using hydraulic cylinders, removing the need for manual bolting, minimising installer fatigue and reducing installation time.

Unique benefits include:

• Attaches directly onto flexible flowlines, rigid pipelines, umbilicals and risers
• Generates optimal clamp load distribution around the pipe providing an extended contact area, low clamping pressure and high levels of slippage resistance
• Removes the need for a separate clamping mechanism
• Installed using hydraulic installation tool (provided)
• Reduced shipping costs
• Reduced deck space requirement
• Vastly improves deck installation time

Balmoral’s buoyancy range generally uses symmetrical buoyancy modules sharing the same axis as the flexible or SCR. When this is not possible, due to the deployment method over a stinger/roller, Balmoral developed a piggyback clamped buoyancy design for use on steel catenary risers. This prevents the buoyancy module enduring excessive compressive loads as result of the weight and tension loads applied by the riser during deployment.

As oil and gas fields venture into new frontiers and ever deeper waters and steel catenary risers are used to transport hydrocarbons to the surface there will always be a need to control riser tension, reduce weight and control the shape of the catenary on the rise. This is traditionally done using distributed buoyancy, especially in the ultra-deepwaters of South America, Gulf of Mexico and Africa.

When using cylindrical pipes with traditional buoyancy in deepwater systems, VIV can be a catastrophic issue. Traditional distributed buoyancy modules typically use internal clamps that can potentially spin round the axis of the clamp which is unsuitable for VIV shedding as a continuous helix would be impossible to achieve.

Benefitting from its vast subsea experience, Balmoral designed a product to reduce excess weight and mitigate the effects of VIV on the riser. When combined with the company’s patented integral clamping device and installation methods this unique solution sets the company apart in the market place.

Balmoral also offers rotomoulded PE shells with retro fitted PU fins, or a more integrated system where the strake fin is cast into the outer coating of the module, both of which benefit from patent protected installation methods. It is essential that the stiffness of the PU fin does not endure permanent deformation while being deployed over a stinger roller.

Extensive testing and qualification demonstrated that the fin recovered its original shape as it left the roller meaning the VIV performance is maintained as designed. Additionally, the compressive loads applied by the risers and roller boxes on the modules required an extended testing regime to simulate the bending loads during deployment to ensure catastrophic failure of the modules would not occur.

Load transfer shims from the module into the riser were developed to ensure the bending loads were minimised and supported during deployment.

Balmoral jumper buoyancy comprises two rotomoulded polyethylene half shells with integral clamping devices and is used to provide uplift on connecting sections of subsea pipe or flowlines.

The modules can be produced with or without moulded helical strakes and are injected with high performance syntactic foams that are tailored to meet exacting performance, strength and installation requirements in water depths of 100-3000msw.

The modules are attached to the pipe or flowline using Balmoral’s patented integral clamping system.

Modules with moulded strakes are used where vortex induced vibration (VIV) challenges need to be addressed.

Balmoral has listened to feedback from customers and developed a range of modular based products which maximise uplift and maintain the same design ethos of its buoyancy systems. Working with standard clamping systems Balmoral provides a range of incremental buoyancy modules using standard foam systems from 0-3000msw.

These ready made solutions provide cost effective options and are always considered where time and budget constraints are of utmost importance.

A major drawback to traditional strakes is increased drag relating to the fin diameter. Balmoral was inspired by nature, and the sea turtle in particular, to develop a low drag VIV suppression system that, combined with the company’s patent protected integral clamp system, provides an alternative to traditional strake systems.

Following a significant R&D programme, investment and comprehensive tank testing Balmoral designed an innovative solution that provides VIV shedding efficiency with a comparative significant reduction in drag.

• Patented Installation method for the integral clamp which is quick and effective
• Patented installation method is compatible with automated installation systems
• Build on Balmoral’s market leading reputation as a solution provider in the DBM market
• PU coatings provide added impact and abrasion protection

If a pipeline is carrying high temperature product it is inevitable that expansion will occur along the steel pipe. Although the pipe may expand in diameter, most occasions see the pipe increase significantly in length. If both ends of the pipe are fixed this longitudinal expansion can potentially transform into a buckle situation with catastrophic results.

To mitigate this phenomenon pipeline design engineers incorporate pre-determined buoyant zones along the pipeline so that expansion, or buckle, is allowed to take place in a safe and controlled way. These buoyancy modules are designed to maintain their integrity as the pipeline “bends” during installation and operation.

Balmoral distributed buoyancy modules are based on high performance syntactic foams which are designed to meet exacting performance, strength, and installation project requirements through life of field and in water depths of 100-3000msw.

In a typical 25-year design life, buckle mitigation modules may travel over 15km of sea bed as the pipe oscillates through expansion and contraction. For this reason the external shell must be highly abrasion resistant and materials such as polyethylene, elastomer or GRE are ideally suited to this purpose.

Balmoral’s unique range of clamping systems is used in conjunction with its distributed buoyancy products ranging from integral clamps, particularly suited to steel pipelines and umbilicals, to a patented composite clamp design for flexible flowlines as well as steel and composite stop collars.