Airborne O&G, Subsea 7 Aim to Qualify TCP Riser in South America

Oilfield technology firm Airborne Oil & Gas has started a qualification of a TCP riser for deepwater and dynamic applications for an operator in South America in collaboration with Subsea 7.

The TCP riser qualification programme, believed to be a world first for fully bonded composite risers, aims to provide a disruptive new riser pipe technology for operators with international deepwater applications, Airborne explains.

According to the company, its TCP riser design delivers the lowest cost solution for total installation in comparison to existing solutions.

Henk de Boer, CTO with Airborne Oil & Gas, explained: “With our knowledge of materials and experience, we are able to work with the supply chain to develop the optimal material combination for each application, resulting in a fit-for-purpose approach. For this qualification in Brazil, we set out to develop a material that would allow operators to use a free hanging catenary configuration, to be installed by suitably available pipe-lay vessels.”

Subsea 7, a minority shareholder in Airborne Oil & Gas, is involved in the qualification programme through providing global riser behaviour analysis, as well as installation analysis, for the TCP Riser.

Ivan Cruz, technology manager at Subsea 7, added: “We believe that the TCP riser can become a compelling solution for future deepwater fields. The technology has a disruptive potential as a fundamentally simple pipe, and a straightforward solution that equally removes the need for buoyancy requirements. Working with Airborne Oil & Gas, the collaboration with Subsea 7 brings together both design and installation technology expertise for the provision of complete riser solutions for our clients.”