4Subsea receives research grant for corrosion in flexible pipes

SMEDSVINGEN, Norway -- The Research Council of Norway has through the “Petromaks 2” program has awarded 4Subsea funding for a research initiative on corrosion in flexible pipes. The initiative aims at developing new and improved ways of assessing structural integrity, and close the industry’s technology gaps on understanding of corrosion mechanisms within flexible pipes.

The analysis work will enhanced by laboratory testing with IFE (Institute for Energy Technology), a key partner, and is supported by Norske Shell, ExxonMobil Norway and Statoil as participating industry partners. The duration of the research work will be two years.

“With the current track record and failure rate of flexible pipes in the North Sea and the rest of the world, this project will contribute to more safe and cost effective operation of flexible pipes“; says Nils Gunnar Viko, head of the Flexible Pipe Technology department in 4Subsea. “We see this initiative as a direct continuation of many years’ effort on understanding the complex mechanisms that drive the integrity of flexible pipes. We look forward to working with our partners in enhancing this knowledgebase,” Nils Gunnar Viko adds.

The increased knowledge of the diffusion and corrosion processes in the annulus of flexible pipes is important for the development of improved 4Subsea services and products, including the annulus monitoring system AMOS.