Chukar Waterjet has developed an ultra-high pressure subsea waterjet capable of cutting and blasting at depths of more than 3000m.
The system, presented at UTC in Bergen this week, was developed following Chukar's involvement in providing a system to clear a clogged containment system 1500m underwater during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in 2010.
Minneapolis-based Chukar and parent company Jet Edge provided ultra-high pressure waterjet equipment to blast away hydrate ice crystals that had formed inside a containment cap at the spill site, clogging the containment system.
The new system, which has been tested in the Great Lakes in North America, is capable of cutting 250mm thick steel or waterjet blasting at pressure up to 3800 bar or 55,000psi, says Chukar.
It is powered by an 150hp electric motor, running at 3000 volts and is aimed at cutting and cleaning, for decommissioning, maintenance and salvage as well as emergency response use. Sea water, plain water or methanol can be used, along with abrasives added for cutting applications.