Subsea
Designed for Water Depths of up to 100 Meters
FlexSteel pipe’s resistance to corrosion is a major benefit in its use for offshore applications. Compared to steel pipe, FlexSteel’s competitive advantage lies in its corrosion resistance, without any corrosion prevention or inhibition programs. The HDPE and PERT liner and shield not only protect the pipeline from corrosion, but also insulate the pipeline from external temperatures.
Subsea Line Comparison
 FlexSteel |
 Steel |
 Other Subsea Flexible Pipes |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistant | NOT Corrosion Resistant | Corrosion Resistant |
| Welding Is NOT Required | Welding Is Required | Welding Is NOT Required |
| NDT Is NOT Required | NDT Is Required | NDT Is NOT Required |
| Specialized Lay Equipment Is NOT Needed | Specialized Lay Equipment Is Needed | Specialized Lay Equipment Is Needed |
| Lower Total Cost For Product and Installation | Low Material Cost – High Installation Cost | High Product Cost |
| Fittings Can Be Installed Quickly on the Vessel | Each Field Joint Requires Extensive Labor | Fittings Installed Only at the Factory |
| Short Order-to-Delivery Time | Short Order-to-Delivery Time | Long Order-to-Delivery Time |
| Rapid Installation | Extended Installation Time | Rapid Installation |
| Can Be Cut to Length on the Vessel | Not Available in Long Continuous Lengths | CANNOT Be Cut to Length on the Vessel |
Corrosion Resistant Fittings
Since the scope of API 17J is for offshore applications, FlexSteel has continued to qualify marine grade products to API 17J.
Allow for quick top-side commissioning prior to deployment
Longer pipe lengths mean fewer connections
Connections can be supplied in multiple corrosion-resistant materials.
Easy installation:
Cost effective
Pipe and connections are corrosion resistant
Cathodic protection is available
Steel reinforcement allows for electrical continuity
Designed to resist corrosion, the polymers that make up the liner and shield are very corrosion resistant and protect the steel reinforcement from corrosive elements from both the well and marine environments. Many designs are negatively buoyant, eliminating the need for weights.
Specific Gravity
Marine Grade pipes are available for deeper water applications. These products are designed to have specific gravities greater than 1.0, such that they will sink even when empty. In applications where floatation during installation is beneficial, FlexSteel can also provide pipes that float when empty, then sink into place when filled with water.
On-bottom Stability
An on-bottom stability analysis can be conducted on submerged flowlines in open waters to verify pipe stability. Stability calculations determine if the pipe weight is sufficient to assure the pipe does not move under the applied environmental loads. Since flexible pipes are more forgiving of bending stresses and spanning issues than rigid pipes, absolute stability of a flexible flowline is not necessarily required.
In marshy or swampy environments, FlexSteel pipelines are adaptable to shifting and uneven support without sacrifice of joint integrity. While the pipe can generally accommodate movement within the fluid-like soil envelope, the pipe can be weighted to prevent or minimize flotation.
Success Stories
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Innovative Steel-reinforced Pipeline Enables Caspian Sea Operator to Boost Production by 50%
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42-well Production Capacity Regained After 24 Miles of FlexSteel Is Installed in One Month
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Steel-Reinforced Dual-Gas Pipeline Installed Under Turbulent Congolese Coastal Waters in Three Days
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Steel-reinforced Pipe Replaces Corroded Steel Pipeline to Resume Operation in Less Than Two Days
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FlexSteel Pipe Installation Spares Malaysia Operator Costly Weather Delays
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FlexSteel Saves Indonesian Oil and Gas Producer $2.6 Million in Installation Costs