First Subsea Ltd, has announced the integration of Hyperlast™ 101 Twin Sealing system with its range of pipeline recovery tools (PRT) used to recover subsea flowline and gas export production pipelines to the surface.

The twin polyurethane seals increase the PRT’s resilience and scope for long-term deployment in deepwater and ultra-deepwater.

The twin seal system follows an 18 month research and development programme with a leading subsea plug OEM. Key features of the sealing system include the primary and secondary composite Hyperlast™ 101 seals in combination with an internal check valve for shallow and deepwater applications. The tool’s patented Ballgrab pipe grip mechanism is suitable for loads in excess of 1,200mT.

Powerful and Modular PRTs

First Subsea’s pipeline recovery tools are designed for handling both new and existing API 5L and DNV 450 pipelines ranging from 2 inch to 48 inch diameter, and loads up to 1,200mT at both low and high sealing pressures. The PRT’s are sized and built for a given pipeline and typically deployed on an emergency standby basis and or wet buckle recovery. The tool’s modular design allows a number of optional modules to be added, as required, including a dewatering seal, ROV friendly hot stab, pig catcher and check valve.

“As operators go further offshore and to deeper waters they are looking for pipe recovery tools able to handle the high loads and pressures, as well as offering greater deployment flexibility – First Subsea is committed to meeting this need,” says John Shaw, managing director, First Subsea Ltd. “The twin seals tool is just the latest in a series of enhancements to our pipeline recovery resources. We are now focusing on developing this market further to include a 20FT DNV2.7-1 / EN12079 dedicated PRT workshop during 2014.”

The core First Subsea PRT tool elements include the pipeline recovery tool, ROV friendly deployment arm and handling skid. First Subsea offers a range of PRT delivery options including warehouse storage for shipment when required, and shipment to the nearest mobilisation point. In all cases a First Subsea qualified offshore technician is on hand to supervise deployment of the tool.

Press Release, February 13, 2014; Image: First Subsea