Objective
The objective of the project was to manufacture and test the CUSP system; a unique, diverless flowline pull-in and connection system which can be universally applied to a variety of subsea oil and gas production scenarios.
The CUSP equipment comprising a 6" flowline connector, its installation tool, a flowline pull-in tool, bullnose and guidance structure was fabricated by Babcock Energy Ltd under a manufacturing and marketing licence agreement.
The system underwent full tests at Babcock's plant in Renfrew.L%
Stage 1 of the CUSP Project was successful in producing an innovative, efficient design of a system with the following key features :
- diverless/guidelineless installation and retrieval;
- simultaneous connection of several lines is possible due to cellular construction of installation tooling, thereby reducing connection time and associated costs;
- flowline alignment and clamping is achieved by the connector unit itself and is a separate function to sealing, eliminating any misalignment on seal make-up;
- all seals are easily retrievable in the event of a failure;
- only one linear hydraulic operation is required to make up a flowline connection. No hydraulics are left subsea;
- lightweight delivery system is easily adaptable to suit various subsea installations;
- the CUSP system can also be used for electro-hydraulic umbilical connections and also for pipeline repair and retro-fitting of valves and other equipment.
Stage 2, completed in September 1993, saw the successful testing, both in dry conditions and underwater, of the flowline pull-in equipment and novel connector device. The test programme was assessed and monitored by Det Norsk Veritas A/S which has issued a pressure test certificate and a design verification report, certifying the CUSP System.
The CUSP Project involved the development of a diverless flowline pull-in and connection system which is applicable to multi-connections of single, multiple or bundled flowlines, at subsea systems, manifolds, trees, etc, which significantly reduces installation time and associated costs.
The project has been divided into two stages :
Stage 1, Engineering Design and Detail :
- Initial Concepts;
- Embodiment Design;
- Engineering Detail.
Stage I was completed in June 1990.
Stage 2; Prototype Build and Demonstration.
Stage 2 has been successfully completed after the duration was extended to 33 months.
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
RM14 2SU Upminster
United Kingdom