Breaking two world records! New technology for oversize subsea pipeline pavement was successfully applied for the first time

Date：2020-02-10

News from Nigeria said that a few days ago, “Offshore Oil 202” ship has completed the pavement of 3 pieces of 48-in subsea pipelines of project in Nigeria, with the cumulative pavement mileage more than 30 km. The size of the subsea pipeline (including also the cement weight coating) reached 58 inches, and the weight per subsea pipeline reached 27 t, breaking two world records.

The successful pavement of the subsea pipeline this time marks the first-time successful application of the new technology for pavement of oversize subsea pipelines independently developed by COOEC. Presently, the technology has successfully applied 1 patent for invention, 5 patents for utility models and 6 other technical achievements.

Setting up a new record in the world engineering field after project completion

It is said that 48-in subsea pipeline is presently the largest subsea oil-gas pipeline over the world. In 2019, the first non-self-propelled shallow-water lifting pipeline laying barge “Offshore Oil 202” that is independently designed and manufactured by China successfully paved 3 pieces of 48-in subsea pipelines in Nigeria sea area of West Africa. The outer diameter of the 48-in subsea pipelines (including a 120mm weight coating) reached 58-in, setting up a new record in the world engineering field.

Developing new technology for oversize subsea pipeline pavement by scientific research

In consideration of the world-class technical difficulty, oversize subsea pipeline pavement, COOEC set up scientific research teams and carried out a series of scientific research jointly with Tianjin University. They tackled the key difficulties including tension control for oversize subsea pipeline pavement, adaptation between oversize subsea pipeline and ship capacity, and how to improve construction efficiency, and successfully researched and developed the new technology for oversize subsea pipeline pavement. In addition, the scientific research team optimized the design tension for oversize subsea pipeline pavement from 220 t to 150t, greatly reducing the requirements for construction ship equipment, and making significant technical innovation and impact achievements. Presently, the technology has successfully applied 1 patent for invention, 5 patents for utility models and 6 other technical achievements.

Star project, fulfilling “the Belt and Road” initiative

The project in Nigeria is located in the Gulf of Guinea sea area of the Atlantic and is the first offshore transportation and installation project developed by COOEC in West Africa. The project covers the pavement of 8 pieces of 24-in subsea pipelines and 3 pieces of 48-in subsea pipelines as well as the installation of 5 SPM (single-point moorings) system. The diameter and weight per pipeline of the 48-in subsea pipeline are the largest over the world, with great construction difficulties and high operation risks, arising maximum requirements for the equipment comprehensive capacity of the major work boat “Offshore Oil 202”.

Nigeria is the foothold for COOEC to setting foot in West Africa, and the project is of extremely important strategic significance for making a good start of COOEC brand, exploring huge African market and furthermore radiating the potential surrounding areas, and what’s more, reflects intensively the fulfillment of COOEC for “the Belt and Road” initiative.

Fighting against novel coronavirus pneumonia, stressing both on NCP epidemic prevention and construction

The novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) outbreaks in China in the critical stage for subsea pipeline pavement. The “Offshore Oil 202” ship attached great importance to it, took active actions in preventing and controlling the NCP, and ensured the project construction progress on the premise of protecting crew’s safety, fulfilling stressing both on epidemic prevention and construction.

They organized at the first time a comprehensive investigation for all staff on the ship, in particular to the travel condition of constructors before boarding after January 11 to ensure no leakage and missing; publicized in time the prevention and control work of NCP by project regular meeting, department meeting, shift meeting and work group to reassure the staff and prevent them from getting panic; doctors on the ship carried out body temperature measurement and monitoring for all staff on the ship at fixed time each day; the logistics department increased the sterilization frequency for living quarter, public area, personal rooms, kitchens and dining hall, re-prepare disinfectant based on a scientific proportion and strictly implemented sterilization measures. Strictly controlled the boarding procedure, stopped shift work, prevented irrelevant staff from boarding, screened and surveyed staff requiring to get on board and wear masks through the process, ensuring safe construction.