CACT "Hyperlast"® Syntactic 512

CACT "Hyperlast"® Syntactic 512

Keywords Hyperlast, Pipelines, Polyurethanes, Coatings

Hyperlast Limited informs us that for over30 years it has been at the forefront of engineering high-performance polyurethanes for the offshore pipeline industry, protecting and insulating over 600 kilometres of subsea pipelines. The company considers that by advancing its technology and building on its expertise it now provides the service that pipe coaters, lay contractors and operators enjoy today.

In particular, the performance of "Hyperlast" Syntactic 512 has reportedly been proven in the field and has been selected by over 20 operators for in excess of 40 applications worldwide during the last 13 years. This success is said to be derived from the properties of "Hyperlast"Syntactic 512 that benefits the pipe coater, the lay contractor and the operator.

"Hyperlast" Syntactic was the chosen material for coating pipeline sections of a current development in the South China Sea on the Huizhou HZ 26-IN project.

Jointly operated by the China National Offshore Oil Co., Agip China BV,Chevron Overseas Petroleum Limited and Texaco China BV (CACT), the project called for an insulation material with a K value of 0.12 W/mK, high compressive modulus and low compressive creep that would display minimal oxidative and thermal ageing at temperatures of up to 100C.

Bredero Price Coaters Limited (BPCL), at its Leith site, moulded "Hyperlast"Syntactic 512 onto 10.75" diameter pipe lengths to a thickness of 38mm for this project. In addition the material was rotationally cast onto 4.5" diameter pipes to a thickness of 10mm at the Ellon plant. The work was carried out towards the end of last year using a plural-component dispensing machine. No heating was required to cure the materials and fast gel times meant fast cycle times for BPCL.

Hyperlast Syntactic 512 claims excellent mechanical properties to withstand the rigors of laying. Characterised by impressive elasticity. Hyperlast 512 is said to be suitable for reeling and its abrasion resistance is reported to shrug off impacts as it is positioned on the seabed.

Stolt Offshore Limited, based in Aberdeen, were contracted to install the pipes, which were transported to the Huizhou HZ 26-IN project and laid by the Seaway Falcon vessel. The field jointing operation for the 10.75" pipeline will be carried out in the South China Sea onboard the Seaway Falcon by Eupec France,at the end of March 2000.

In addition, field joint coating for the 4.5" pipes was carried out using Hyperlast 2851239 by Pipeline Induction Heat Limited (PIH) in Lancashire last year. SOCO-RIL SA (International Pipe Coating Contractors), based in Argentina has recently completed coating pipe sections for this project using Hyperlast Syntactic 512.

Technical director Tony Wright comments, "The secret to the success of 512 lies is the formulating expertise of Hyperlast's technical specialists that has produced a material that is simple to process, yet astonishingly robust for the environments it must work in."

Details available from: Hyperlast Limited, Tel: +44 (0) 1663 746518; Fax: +44(0)1663 746605; e-mail: help@hyperlast.co.uk;Web site: www.hyperlast.co.uk