Allspeeds develops ROV cut loop cutter

Hydraulic cutters and systems provider Allspeeds, the designers and manufacturers of Webtool, has developed a compact remotely operated vehicle (ROV) cut loop cutter for emergency activation of a blowout preventer (BOP). The Webtool cut loop cutter will sever the cutting loop to activate the BOP in the event other measures have failed. 

Subsea intervention involves the use of remotely operated tools that often include cut loops as a redundancy measure to prevent a blowout once all ‘topside’ solutions have failed to work. The cut loop prevents pressure lock in the hydraulic system needed to activate the BOP.

During intervention, the Webtool cutter is held in position over the cut loop by an ROV in case of an emergency situation. The wide mouth, open sided design of the Webtool cutter allows for easy positioning of the tool on the stainless steel, hydraulic cut loop pipe. The blade has been optimized for cutting stainless steel tube and developed so the cut loop will fully release pressure immediately after the cutter is activated. 

This is Webtool’s smallest hydraulic guillotine cutter, with corrosion resistant stainless steel body and cylinder, and is useful for operation in confined spaces.  

The Webtool cutter can be used at any water depth, with pressure compensation on the hydraulic supply. Weighing 7kg in water, the cutter uses 700bar maximum input pressure. An optional hydraulic intensifier is available. 

Image: Cut loop cutter/Allspeeds