NKT boldly goes back to deepwater

NKT Flexibles which at an earlier time embarked on a deepwater product development programme has launched a new initiative in this important technology area under the moniker the Hafnia Project.

More than five years ago, NKT offered the market its FLEXTREME deepwater technology for taking flexible risers and flowlines beyond 2,000m. At that time, it seems the market didn’t want to know when the oil price was still relatively low.

There were only a few projects beyond those waters, existing flexible configurations were too heavy for such depths and riser towers and scrs were the ‘flavours of the month’ then. Also, flexibles are an expensive product with only some of the costs offset by easier installation.

It is no surprise then that NKT abandoned FLEXTREME when even Technip, perceived as the market leader, wasn’t pursuing ultra-deepwater flexible solutions then. The only comparable technology was Aker Solutions’ ultra-dw umbilicals which used graphite rods to reduce weight without losing strength.

Things have changed. There are more projects in 2,000m plus waters, the oil price is considerably higher and the manufacturers have come to realise that they could not just abandon this market segment. They had to at least try to find a technical solution to challenge rigid risers.

NKT is not saying much at the moment, particularly about materials, about where it is going except that whatever the solution developed it should be valid to 3,500m. There is likely to be a distinctly different cross-section to the pipe and the use of some exotic steel, but the dedicated development team is said to have ‘an open mind’ on what any new design will look like.

What is planned is that there should be a prototype - either 6in or 8in - ready for testing by the end of the year. NKT is not saying how much money is being devoted to this project, but part of it will be targeted at a new deepwater test rig at its manufacturing plant at Kalundsborg.

Like its competitors and other suppliers in the deepwater market, NKT is carefully watching developments offshore Brazil where Petrobras and others have new gigantic reserves in the very deepwaters of the pre-salt area. And NKT is nothing if not brave, because it wants to make a run at the Gulf of Mexico market which has been notoriously disinclined towards flexibles.

FROM SUBSEA ENGINEERING NEWS

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