Weldlink® connection system brochure

WeldLink速 Connection System The benchmark for weldable connectors

WeldLink速 Connection System The benchmark for weldable connectors

Contents

1-2

Introduction

3

Typical Onshore and Subsea Applications

4 - 5 End Termination - Spoolpiece Fabrication 6

Tie In Welding Using WeldLink速

7

Cutting Pipeline to Length Using End Termination Spoolpiece

WeldLink® Connection System The benchmark for weldable connectors Introduction

7 1 Connector technology that changed an industry.

The WeldLink® connector was designed

Deepwater, huge swells, remote location and

the development of Swagelining® technology.

a water injection pipeline system that needs

Since those days, polymer lining and weldable

to last over 25 years without maintenance.

connector technologies have been applied

As the installation method is by reelship, the

together on many ground-breaking – and

PE lined carbon steel pipe strings need to be

ordinary – projects onshore and subsea.

welded together to form the flowlines. Quite a series set of design inputs for any project.

to satisfy those demands successfully by

The WeldLink® Connector has many ‘firsts’

engineers from the organisation responsible for

to its credit since it entered service:

Since its first application in that remote subsea field development in 1995, the

Until then, no one had needed a connector

WeldLink® has been used more often than

that would enable PE lined strings to be

any other connector to join PE lined carbon

joined by welding in any industry, onshore or

steel flowlines for installation in the subsea

subsea. In 1994, there was no such device in

environment.

existence. Never mind the added challenge that it would have to be capable of being reeled and straightened several times as part of the Pre-Qualification Testing plan and for installation. Necessity is often the mother of invention and sometimes, from the toughest of challenges emerges the most rugged of solutions.

As a testimony to its originality, the design has stood the test of time and the connector remains in use today in onshore and subsea projects. Over 3000 WeldLinks have been installed in subsea projects completed in the Atlantic Frontier, UK and Norwegian North Sea, Nigeria and Angola. Onshore use includes

• First weldable connector used in reeled subsea water injection • Installation in subsea pipelines by reel- lay, CMDT (bundle), J-lay and HDD • Installed in double joints and in 1500m strings • Smallest WeldLink® Connector used to date is 4” • Largest WeldLink® Connectors used to date is 24” • Post reeling, the WeldLink® has been hydrotested to 476 bar (7000 psi) • Installed by J-lay in a riser system in 2000m (6500 ft) water depth • Approaching 20 years in continuous subsea service

Middle East, West Africa and North Africa.

Email: enquiries@swagelining.com • International calls: +44 (0) 141 404 8011 • International faxes: +44 (0) 141 404 8029 • www.swagelining.com

WeldLink® Connection System The benchmark for weldable connectors Introduction

2 Proven reliability underpins its longevity in service

The full condition assessment was delivered

enable flowline to be accurately cut to length

in a conference paper which is available

without the need for CRA end termination

for download via www.swagelining.com/

pipes. This is an example of using weldable

In 2007, a PE lined section from the end of

effectivenessf.html. In summary, the detailed

connector technology to enable pipelay route

a water injection flowline was retrieved from

inspection found that the carbon steel

variation with increased flexibility and lower

the seabed when the system architecture

flowline remained in excellent condition

costs. This plan is illustrated herein.

was being modified. The spool comprised

despite the harsh service environment. In

a WeldLink® connector that was welded to

particular, the WeldLink® seal was found to

a clad flanged end termination. The pipe

be intact by physical testing and this was

section was lined with a PE80 (MDPE) and

supported by the condition of the internal

terminated by a compression ring inside the

wall of the carbon steel host pipe which had

WeldLink®.

suffered almost nil corrosion.

The water injection flowline had been

From its origins in the harshest of service

flowlines would not have been possible

installed by reeling followed by 13 years in

in 1994, the WeldLink® design is subject to

without this pioneering connector.

high pressure service (280 bar) before being

continuous review to ensure the product

retrieved from the seabed. The PE line spool

remains compliant with current pipeline

and connector were subjected to a detailed

design codes whilst being adapted for

condition assessment that looked at every

changing installation and operational

part of the corrosion protection and the end

conditions. One example of this review

connector details.

process is a plan to fabricate end termination

The WeldLink® is a registered trademark.

spoolpieces onshore using WeldLink®

The WeldLink® Connector is protected by

Connectors. The PE lined spools would be

a range of patents globally

The WeldLink® Connector changed the way that PE liners are used subsea. It is an example of truly enabling technology.

The reliability and cost effectiveness of delivering internal corrosion protection by polymer lining in high pressure subsea

welded to the PE lined flowline offshore to

Email: enquiries@swagelining.com • International calls: +44 (0) 141 404 8011 • International faxes: +44 (0) 141 404 8029 • www.swagelining.com

WeldLink® Connection System The benchmark for weldable connectors

Typical Onshore and Subsea Applications

3

Tethe r

Typical tie in connection Sea bed

Reel Lay

CRA completion Girth Weld

Controlled Mid Depth Tow

Non-lined surface protected by CRA Cladding

J - Lay

Onshore

Email: enquiries@swagelining.com • International calls: +44 (0) 141 404 8011 • International faxes: +44 (0) 141 404 8029 • www.swagelining.com

WeldLink® Connection System The benchmark for weldable connectors

End Termination - Spoolpiece Fabrication COMPONENTS Carbon Steel Project Pipe or Forging

4

FABRICATIONS End section machined and inlaid with CRA Cladding

CRA Cladding CRA Cladding

• Project matched pipe

Weld Prep

• End section machined and inlaid with CRA cladding

CS to CS Weld

Profile

Project Pipe Cut to Length Machined Castellations

• CRA cladding machined to form castellations and cut to length spool connected with CS to CS weld

Email: enquiries@swagelining.com • International calls: +44 (0) 141 404 8011 • International faxes: +44 (0) 141 404 8029 • www.swagelining.com

Continued on next page

WeldLink® Connection System The benchmark for weldable connectors

End Termination - Spoolpiece Fabrication

5 COMPONENTS

Polymer Liner

•

FABRICATIONS

Liner Swagelined to steel fabricated spool

Polymer liner pipe supplied from project stock

Compression Ring in place

CRA Compression Ring

• CRA compression ring fabricated to engineered design

•

Compression Ring installed and liner machined back to expose CRA section

Email: enquiries@swagelining.com • International calls: +44 (0) 141 404 8011 • International faxes: +44 (0) 141 404 8029 • www.swagelining.com

WeldLink® Connection System The benchmark for weldable connectors Tie In Welding Using WeldLink®

6 Carbon Steel to Carbon Steel Weld

CRA Girth Weld

Carbon Steel to Carbon Steel Weld

CRA Inlay

Detail View CRA Girth Weld

Castellations

Carbon Steel PipeLine

Compression Ring

CRA Inlay

Polymer Liner

Email: enquiries@swagelining.com • International calls: +44 (0) 141 404 8011 • International faxes: +44 (0) 141 404 8029 • www.swagelining.com

WeldLink® Connection System The benchmark for weldable connectors

Cutting Pipeline to Length Using End Termination Spoolpiece

7

The PE Lined Flowline is cut to length offshore

CS to CS Girth Weld

LinerBridge Connector enables carbon steel tie in welding in the field

The end termination spool is completed onshore

•

If the PE lined flowline is terminating in an in-line facility (PLET, Tee, Valve etc.) the PE lined End Termination Spoolpiece may be pre-welded to the in-line facility onshore. Offshore tie in remains a carbon steel weld using the LinerBridge®

Email: enquiries@swagelining.com • International calls: +44 (0) 141 404 8011 • International faxes: +44 (0) 141 404 8029 • www.swagelining.com