Subsea industry firm Subsea 7 has agreed to make an investment in Dutch themoplastic composite pipe (TCP) manufacturer Airborne Oil & Gas (AOG). Subsea 7 joins Shell, Chevron, Saudi Aramco and Evonik as shareholders in AOG.
Manufactured out of a composite of fibers and polymers, TCP is light-weight, non-corrosive and non-permeable composite pipe. The fully bonded can handle pressures up to 15,000psi/1050 bar design pressure (and 40,000psi/2800 bar burst pressure) and temperatures up to 121˚C/250˚F. TCP is flexible and spoolable with continuous lengths up to 4km and higher.
"The investment by Subsea 7 entails a partnership of strategic importance to both parties providing the oil and gas industry with cost effective pipe technology solutions that are non-corrosive, light-weight, simpler and faster to install," says AOG.
TCP offers a lower cost solution with improved asset integrity properties, says AOG, for greenfield and brownfield developments in all regions and water depths. "TCP pushes the boundaries of deepwater development and unlocks further significant savings through its lasting influence on subsea architecture and floating production facilities," says the firm.
Marnix Boorsma, CEO Airborne Oil & Gas says Subsea 7 will contribute to AOG's overall value proposition, given the role that installation contractors are increasingly taking in the industry.
"Subsea 7 is optimally positioned to advise energy companies at an early stage on the best pipe structure and set-up," says Boorsma. "Their significant presence in Brazil, a key region for Airborne Oil & Gas’ activities, supports our business – especially regarding deepwater opportunities. We look forward to collaborate with Subsea 7, also on the development of other innovative pipe solutions for the industry.”