Objective It is the aim of the current project to develop the existing Hydra -Lok technology into a piece of offshore operational equipment suitable for pile connection on jackets. This will be achieved by way of a review of the design of the prototype Hydra-Lok tool and its subsequent use in a field demonstration. The field demonstration will involve the installation of a Southern North Sea jacket from a semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV). This represents a totally new approach to jacket installation which has been previously dominated by grouting technology. The new technology offers a more economical and technically superior connection system.Final trials of both 72" tools have confirmed the ability of the Hydra-Lok equipment to satisfactorily swage 72" O. D. x 2. 5" W. T. pile, into the appropriate sleeve geometry and the built-in inspection system has demonstrated its effectiveness in measuring the resultant swage profile.The small scale tests are, from results to date, confirming the load/deflection, load distribution and safe working load capacity, predicted for multiple groove connections.The project is divided into a number of discrete areas of investigation. These cover redesign of the existing prototype tools , followed by the building of an offshore operational tool package, some further small scale testing to verify certain design parameters and a trial of the system on an offshore installation. The connection system is a swage pile connection system which serves as a replacement for more conventional grouting or welding off operations. The system offers substantial technical and economic advantages since it is performed by equipment which is reusable. Alternative systems tend to rely on extensive 'installed equipment' and are therefore very capital cost intensive. Hydra-Lok avoids these problems with negligible capital equipment being purchased by the Client.Initial work centres around the redesign of the tool and a programme of the small scale testing to verify certain design parameters. A back-up operational tool will also be built and suitable operatingprocedures developed. Subject to the successful completion of these phases the equipment is to be used in the installation of an offshore jacket with 72" piles in the Southern North Sea. Programme(s) ENG-HYDROCARB 1C - Programme (EEC) of Community projects in the hydrocarbons sector, 1973-1985 Topic(s) 1.10 - ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme DEM - Demonstration contracts Coordinator BUE HYDRA-LOK LTD EU contribution No data Address WALNEY ROAD BARROW-IN-FURNESS LA14 5UG CUMBRIA United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data
