The first shrink-fit riser flanges

20/08/2009

Subsea Riser Products (SRP), an Acteon company, has successfully attached the first flanges to pipe sections that will make up a unique ultra-high-pressure drilling riser for use by Venture Production in the North Sea.

The flanges were joined to the pipes at SRP’s premises in Sheffield, UK, using a novel shrink-fit process that the company developed specifically with the fabrication of risers like this one in mind.

SRP managing director Simon Luffrum said, “The development of the shrink-fit flange has been the key to this entire project. We have had a good deal of interest in the technique from a number of other operators. Now that we have proved the technique it is likely to find application in a variety of riser-related projects in the future.”

The flange is first heated using induction coils to over 400°C, which causes it to expand sufficiently to fit over the end of the 19¼-in ID riser pipe section. The flange and the pipe are then carefully brought together – this part of the process takes no more than 30 seconds – using a purpose-built jig to ensure the precise alignment of the two parts. Simply allowing the assembly to cool down creates a high-quality structural connection and a gas-tight seal.

[For more background and detailed information about this project, please refer to the press statement first released in August 2008 when the contract was awarded, which is reproduced below.]

The accompanying photographs are available in higher resolution if required. Please contact Bill Clewes for details or for additional photographs.

For more information contact
Simon Luffrum, Managing Director, Subsea Riser Products
Tel +44 (0)1483 745030

Bill Clewes, tes
Tel +44 (0)7770 787625