What are your options?
As the requirement for flexibles and steel catenary risers (SCR) progresses into ever deeper waters, the performance of the clamping systems required to maintain the buoyancy, ballast or tethers in position has changed significantly.
On occasion, flexibles and SCRs also have an insulating layer which in many cases will be subject to creep over the service life of the riser.
The range of variables encountered through the design life of the clamp includes variation in diameter due to changes in internal and external pressures, flexing of the flexible/SCR, allowable clamping pressure, as well as temperature and tension fluctuation.
Whilst the clamps are fitted directly onto the external layers, and this is typically the critical interface for SCR, when dealing with flexibles they are normally required to transfer the clamping load through the outer layers to an internal layer where the lowest COF exists. This radial load transfer is required to prevent slippage caused by in-service and deployment loads with an acceptable safety factor.
Balmoral has designed a unique generation of clamps to ensure optimum performance across varying operating conditions.
High performance
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
Standard 3-piece
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
Integral module
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)
Integral module plus
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
High performance
This patented product is designed for high clamping load situations to resist the axial movement of large buoyancy and ballast modules.
The high performance clamp is designed to control the contact pressure onto the flowline allowing the accommodation of large diameter expansion/contraction due to its low spring stiffness properties. The clamp is installed directly onto the flexible or SCR using a specialist tool allowing accurate loads to be generated whilst minimising installer fatigue.
Recent developments have adapted this solution to provide increased contact areas between the clamp’s rubber pads and the flexible/SCR. This provides a more even load and distributes the clamping pressure across a larger area.
Typically this means that the opening at the front of the clamp has reduced from 54° to less than 45°, however this is dependent on the design and project specific parameters.
The high performance clamp in summary:
- Suited for high loading/large buoyancy applications
- Flexible or SCR outer diameter tolerance accommodated by patented hinge technology which also provides high abrasion resistance to the clamp body
- Flexible or SCR diameter variations during operation accommodated by excellent spring properties of clamp assembly
- Structurally reinforced with patented technology to enable market-leading uplifts and installation forces
Standard 3-piece
The patented three-piece device is designed to clamp directly onto flexible pipes, umbilicals and SCRs to prevent the module assembly from sliding along the length of the flexible/SCR whilst allowing the module to rotate freely.
This clamp is best suited for umbilical or small diameter flexible pipes where low clamping pressures are required.
The standard clamp in summary:
- Optimised for low clamping pressure applications
- Riser outer diameter tolerance readily accommodated while retaining consistent clamping load to resist slippage
- Recent product developments improve clamp performance during installation and service
Integral module
The integrally clamped module removes the need for a separate clamping system by attaching directly onto flexible flowlines, rigid pipelines, umbilicals and risers.
Custom designed pads placed within the recess of the module accommodate flexible or SCR diameter expansion and contraction while generating consistent clamping loads to resist slippage.
These pads also allow the module to accommodate upper and lower deviations of the nominal outer diameter of the flexible or SCR. Balmoral’s patent protected integral clamped modules and installation methods can be installed using hydraulic cylinders, removing the need for manual bolting of modules and minimising installer fatigue.
The integral clamp in summary:
- Variation in riser outer diameter is readily accommodated while generating consistent clamping loads to resist slippage
- The clamping load can be generated by hydraulic tool, minimising installer fatigue
- Using patented installation methodology, the performance of the clamping system can be improved with minimum components enabling reduced installation time, improving the cost of ownership to purchaser
INTEGRAL MODULE PLUS™
High capacity integrally clamped buoyancy system with optimised clamping interface
Our latest innovation sees the introduction of a newly patented integrally clamped buoyancy system that provides reduced and evenly distributed line contact stresses at high capacity uplifts.
We believe the new system, Type Approved to API 17L standards, will be used on a minimum of 80% of DBM requirements where a separate clamp solution would traditionally have been specified. The market applicability of ‘INTEGRAL PLUS’ includes flowlines, rigid risers, umbilicals, flexible risers etc. Significant savings will be introduced by a reduction in shipping costs, deck space requirements and product installation times.
Ready to optimise your distributed buoyancy project?
Contact us to find out more | +44 (0)1224 859000
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Balmoral Comtec Ltd
A Balmoral Group company
Balmoral Park, Loirston, Aberdeen AB12 3GY | +44 (0)1224 859000 | surety@balmoral.co.uk
Registered number SC301819