First Subsea’s Pipeline Recovery Tool for Ichthys LNG Project

First Subsea Ltd has been awarded a contract by Saipem Portugal Comercio Maritomo Sociedade Unipresso Lda to supply a 42” PRT (pipeline recovery tool) for the Gas Export Pipeline on the Ichthys LNG Project.

The contingency tool is First Subsea’s largest modular PRT to date, and features a 400Te WLL; Hyperlast™ twin seal dewatering system, check valve, pig catcher, pig signaler and an ROV deployment arm.

The INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project includes an offshore central processing facility (CPF) and a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Facility (FPSO) located in the field with a number of satellite manifolds and subsea wells tied back to the CPF. Saipem is installing 889 kilometres of 42-inch-diameter subsea pipeline, in water depths of up to 275 metres, connecting the CPF to an onshore processing facility in Darwin.

The modular PRT system is suitable for pipe or tubular diameters of 42”, 48”, 54” and 60” using First Subsea’s patented Ballgrab® ball and taper grip technology for loads in excess of 1,200Te WLL. Guided by an ROV through deployment by the vessel crane, the PRT is inserted into the pipe and a secondary lock system activated through a hydraulic ROV hot stab. After the connection between the A&R wire to the PRT is established, the pipe and tool are then ready for recovery back to the surface.

The Ichthys LNG Project is a Joint Venture between INPEX group companies (Operator), major partner TOTAL and the Australian subsidiaries of Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas, Chubu Electric Power and Toho Gas.