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Cost-effective new three-piece subsea umbilical clamps

Innovators in buoyancy, insulation and elastomer products Balmoral Offshore Engineering’s patented distributed buoyancy clamping options are specifically designed to reduce costs and lead times for subsea operators. Their three-piece subsea umbilical clamps minimise system creep and employ a reinforced polymer that provides increased stiffness in extreme depth applications. PIF takes a deep dive into the features and benefits of these new clamps.

High-performance subsea umbilical/riser clamps

Subsea development continues at an ever-increasing rate, opening new markets and offering new design opportunities. As the use of flexible risers and umbilicals progresses into deeper waters, the requirements of the clamping system used to maintain the buoyancy’s position along the line has become more challenging.

The range of variables encountered through the design life of the clamping system includes variation in flowline/umbilical diameter due to changes in internal pressure, flexing, temperature and tension fluctuation. Balmoral leads this specialised market by offering innovative and reliable solutions that address extreme depth operations by utilising high-performance clamps that have an uncompromised track record.

Three-piece subsea clamps

Complementing its patented integral and premium clamp products, Balmoral recently improved its three-piece design to enhance the range of clamping options available. The upgraded clamp comprises a unique, patent-protected, reinforced polymer layer that reacts across the opposing faces to provide increased stiffness and reduce the effect of system creep over the installation lifetime.

The configuration of the three-piece clamp allows for standardisation across a range of design criteria that assists with product selection, is cost-effective and minimises product installation time. Complementing this low-cost product solution, the clamp can be supplied with a simple and effective installation tool that utilises Balmoral’s patented direct-loading clamping methodology.

Accurate clamp installation tool

In contrast with relying on displacement and controlling load application through gap monitoring between segments, Balmoral’s three-piece clamp installation tool applies the clamp load directly. This method is far more accurate regarding the final system load as it remains constant, regardless of pipeline tolerancing, expansion and contraction.

Whilst the clamps are fitted directly onto the outer layers of the riser/umbilical, they are normally required to transfer the clamping load through the outer layers to the internal armour layers. This load transfer is designed to prevent slippage between the layers (caused by in-service and deployment loads) with an acceptable safety factor.

Creep-resistant clamp solutions

Engineering and projects director, Fraser Milne, said: “Our unique creep-resistant three-piece clamp solution, combined with the direct-loading installation tool, is ideally suited to short lead-time projects. Its highly competitive performance and availability will establish the three-piece clamp as a key option in Balmoral’s comprehensive clamping product range.”

Balmoral Offshore Engineering’s unique generation of distributed buoyancy clamps ensure optimum performance for specific subsea operating conditions. For more information, visit www.balmoraloffshore.com.

Company Profile

Balmoral Offshore Engineering logo
Balmoral Offshore Engineering

Balmoral Offshore Engineering focuses on composite and polymer solutions driven by technology for the demanding subsea and deepwater oil and gas industry.

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