Cel The objectives of the project were as follows :a) The project is to exploit a new application of laser welding techniques for which the research stage has been only partially investigated.b) The project offers the prospect of industrial economic, commercial and ecological viability.c) The project is presenting difficulties in respect of the finance required due to the considerable technical and economic risk involved. In this respect the further research and development is being seriously restrained.The weld trials were undertaken by United Technologies in the USA and confirmed the following :- The use of high energy lasers was a feasible method of welding oil pipes.- Acceptable weld quality was only achieved when using a "dual pass" weld system. The first pass was primarily used as a pre-heat operation.- The weld quality was significantly improved using a lower speed system. Higher speed welding produced considerable prorosity as a result of gas impurities.The subsequent commercial assessment revealed the following results:- To build a safe and technically capable welding system to operate in hazardous offshore conditions would require a major investment.- The cost of the initial concept design would be at least US $2 million.The total development cost of a working prototype was estimated at US $ 6.5 million.- Although the above costs could theoretically be recovered if a successful system could be eventually developed, it was very unlikely that any commitment to these costs would be made by an oil exploration company without virtually guaranteed success. In view of the very technical nature of the project such success could not be guaranteed.- The company sought a suitable joint venture company with a view to sharing the development costs. Discussions were held with Shell Exploration, BP, Conoco and, in particular, the Hunting Group.Although interest was shown in the project no significant financial investment was forthcoming.A decision was subsequently taken by the Board of Directors to abandon the project in April 1991. However, the patents which were taken out in respect of the project are to be held for the next 12 months in case interest should subsequently be revived from the offshore engineering companiesThe main costs for the abandonment of the project were as follows:- The subsequent development expenditure necessary to bring the laboratory trials was prohibitive.- The offshore industry was in relative recession as a result ofthe general depression in oil prices. Oil companies and major oil engineering companies appeared very reluctant to invest in high risk projects which could not guarantee a realistic payback.- Although NIS Limited has significant technical experience in the use of high power lasers, this was not successfully married with offshore engineering capabilities. The failure to find a suitable partner in a joint venture project severely inhibited its progress.- The scale of the imvestment necessary for NIS to continue with the project without any further assistance was beyond the Group's capabilities. Further funding from financial institutions was not feasible in view of the high risk nature of the project.The prototype laser welding facility is designed to reduce costs, improve safety and reduce the risk of ecological pollution.The facility will considerably increase the efficiency of hydrocarbon transportation both on land and off-shore at considerable depth and will utilise a semi-automatic pipe laying system.The project is :The investigation of laser parameter development and base line welds (laser power, speed, focusing and shielding provisions) and the comparison between single and dual pass welding procedures post and pre-heatment and the demonstration of repair procedures, to ensure the continuing feasibility of the prototype laser welding facility.The new process offers the potential to carry out significant improvements in pipe welding. The existing processes use multi-work station welding in the "S" mode only,involving considerable numbers of highly paid specialists. The technical feasibility of the process has been demonstrated in a number of alternative components and applications but there is as yet little experience of producing welds in pipes of the dimensions utilised in on and off-shore welding. Program(-y) ENG-HYDROCARB 2C - Programme (EEC) of support for technological development in the hydrocarbons sector, 1986-1989 Temat(-y) 1.6 - MISCELLANEOUS Zaproszenie do składania wniosków Data not available System finansowania DEM - Demonstration contracts Koordynator NIS LIMITED Wkład UE Brak danych Adres ACKHURST ROAD PR7 1NH CHORLEY Zjednoczone Królestwo Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych
