STATS Group, an Aberdeenshire-based pipeline technology company, has developed a flangeless subsea launcher (FSL) which can be positioned at any given position in depths of up to 2220m.
The flangeless solution, can be lowered to the seabed and introduced to an open pipe end without the need for hyperbaric welding.
“We are currently designing and manufacturing an ROV compatible launcher as part of an intervention and repair project on a damaged subsea pipeline for a major operator in the South China Sea,” said Dale Millward, STATS Group director of EPRS and subsea services.
Once the ROV operated launcher is lowered to the seabed at location and introduced to the open pipe end, a manipulator clamp mounted at the front of the launcher is positioned and secured onto the pipe, and retracted towards the launcher pulling the launcher centrally on to the open end of pipe until fully installed.
The launcher housing incorporates the lock and seal module which, when actuated, provides a secure connection to, and seal against, the outside diameter of the pipe.
Currently, temporary subsea launchers are designed for flanged pipe connection to allow maintenance pigs and isolation plugs to be deployed and recovered for pipeline maintenance or repair operations, however, flanged connections limit the location of where a subsea launcher can be attached.
STATS Group has recently supplied a FSL with a total of six 32in Remote Tecno Plug isolation tools for a project in the Black Sea.
This equipment will enable pipeline flood prevention and wet buckle recovery solutions during pipe laying operations, providing contingency equipment to isolate the pipeline in the event of a wet buckle.
Once the Remote Tecno Plug is deployed into the pipeline the FSL can be removed from the pipeline and recovered to the surface.
Image: Flangeless subsea launcher/STATS group
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