TDW Offshore Services Develops Innovative Pipeline Repair Solution for StatoilHydro in Wake of Kvitebjorn Field Shutdown
24 April 2009
TDW Offshore Services AS announced today that it has successfully designed and delivered a customized pipeline repair solution for StatoilHydro.
The Kvitebjørn field, which resumed exporting liquids and gas on January 27, 2009, was shut down in August 2008 when a gas leak was discovered approximately 10 km from the platform. StatoilHydro contacted TDW Offshore Services, as one of its suppliers with which it shares a frame contract, to develop one of several alternative solutions to repair the gas pipeline between the platform and the Kollsnes processing plant near Bergen. The pipeline had been dragged out of position and damaged by a passing ship's anchor.
Subsea Clamp Weighing 44 Tons Plays Key Role
TDW Offshore Services was awarded a contract by StatoilHydro to assess the situation, and develop a solution to repair the subsea pipeline. Working in close cooperation with StatoilHydro, TDW Offshore Services set to work. Extensive testing - including an onshore installation of a special subsea clamp system (Patent Pending) onto a mock-up of the affected portion of the Kvitebjørn pipeline - was carried out at its base in Stavanger. The purpose of the clamp would be to secure integrity for the pipe connector in the event that it was not possible to obtain adequate holding power with the primary solution. The clamp, which is one of the key features of the Kvitebjørn field pipeline repair solution, was specially designed, developed and produced by TDW Offshore Services engineers as part of StatoilHydro's solution for repair of the Kvitebjørn.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the damage inflicted on pipeline systems in the Gulf of Mexico, there is a growing trend in the industry to thoroughly prepare for the possibility of natural disasters and potential pipeline disruption, especially subsea. “During recent years, the offshore industry has experienced several pipeline shutdowns caused by anchor drags or similar,” said Rune Haddeland, Managing Director of TDW Offshore Services. “In such situations, TDW Offshore's engineered solutions have proven to be highly beneficial for our clients. We were extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with StatoilHydro to develop an innovative, customized solution for repair of the Kvitebjørn pipeline. I applaud StatoilHydro for their efforts to prepare for a wide range of pipeline repair eventualities.”
