Welding is the predominant method for fabricating steel pipe systems across the subsea industry either from Reeled pipelay vessels or S-lay barges. But there are several applications where traditional welded pipelay methods become uneconomic or technically challenging.
Reeled pipelay becomes difficult or impossible in very shallow water and requires a nearby spool base. There is limited availability of S-lay vessels in some regions, including the UKCS. The short project schedules required to address current energy shortages demand ready access to cost-effective pipelay assets, which can be challenging as market conditions tighten.
The Cortez Subsea, Modular Pipelay System (MPS®) in conjunction with the NOV-Tuboscope Zap-Lok™ connector, allows rigid steel pipelay using standard API-5L carbon steel line pipe (2-16 inch diameter), to be performed from widely available vessels.
This talk will provide an overview of the Zap-Lok™ connector system, showing how it has been qualified and applied to onshore and offshore pipeline projects in the past. The modular pipelay system will be described, and case studies presented. Line pipe material requirements, applicable water depth ranges, typical lay rates, and implications for the project schedule will be presented. Considerations for pipeline design, certification, regulatory approval and overall project execution strategies will be discussed.