Ecosse Subsea Systems has this week unveiled a game-changing pipelay technology at Subsea UK 2013 in Aberdeen.
The subsea technology firm has developed and patented a rigid pipelay system which can be deployed from smaller, more readily available vessels and which will slash schedules and installation costs for pipe-laying projects
The new technology follows on from the success of Ecosse’s SCAR subsea trenching plough, which has exceeded performance targets and established the company as an innovator which can transcend both the traditional oil and gas sector and the emerging renewables market.
Traditionally rigid pipelay projects rely on very expensive pipelay systems which are embedded into dedicated and sophisticated vessels which command hefty hire rates in the region of £250k plus per day. These large systems require extensive deck strengthening on the vessel and the systems usually take a minimum of 14 days to install, more normally the major components have to be designed into the vessel from the outset.
Ecosse Subsea’s PREP (Plastic Reeled Elastic Pipelay) system is a modular system used for the laying of reeled rigid pipe (on a project by project basis) from smaller vessels and can be installed within 48 hours.
PREP uses many of the same components as a conventional pipelay system but its innovative component assembly avoids the need to be mounted on a specialist pipelay vessel, while offering flexibility, mobility and reduced cost, both in terms of the pipelay system itself and also associated vessel costs.
The PREP system takes advantage of the underutilised elastic properties of steel pipe to be able to lay pipe from smaller vessels and the huge fleeting tower that is the dominant feature in conventional systems is not required.
PREP’s flexibility addresses one of the major barriers to entry into the conventional pipelay market - capital investment in suitable pipelay vessels, spool bases and global infrastructure.
Ecosse Subsea Systems managing director, Mike Wilson, said: “PREP is an enabling technology which will allow market entry for a wider range of participants, principally the Tier 2 Contractors. The real value however is for Operators who will have access to an expanded choice of contractors and control over installation schedules.
“The PREP system it is not restricted to spending a full pipe-laying season within one geographic region in order to make any trip financially viable. It is easily transported, containerised, and can be deployed to various geographic locations within the same pipe-laying season, leading to significant cost savings for Operators who would otherwise have to wait six months or more before their pipe-laying requirements can be met.