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