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Subsea Pipelaying – SPIRALLAY Technology
Eurospiraal has developed a method to produce pipelines onshore and to transport the prefabricated pipeline to the installation site where it is laid on the seabed. In other words, the golden rule in off shore contracting is to construct as much onshore as possible. What’s more, onshore operations are easier, safer and more cost effective than offshore.
The Company uses a new technology for the offshore pipelaying, known as SPIRALLAY. The SPIRALLAY method is protected by various patents and patent applications. It complies with international standards and can lay any pipeline, ensuring quality, reduced costs and creating a safer working environment.
Using the Floating Spiral™ method, with Pipe Quick System offshore pipelines can be welded and tested onshore, be transported in a compact package to the offshore installation site and be laid down more efficiently and effectively.
Spirallay Services (HK) Limited organises the whole process, from production to transport and installation on the seabed. It uses an experienced crew and works with proprietary equipment designed for the job. Local specialists take care of the welding. The system is offered commercially by Spirallay Services (HK) Limited.
With this as our core, SPIRALLAY™ maximizes the onshore production of offshore pipelines. All its processes; fabrication, wielding and the testing of the pipelines are completed onshore.
Using the SPIRALLAY™ method, pipelines are welded and tested onshore and fitted with floating devices. The pipes are then towed to the installation site. This part of the process has been successfully exercised many times to install pipelines up to some 10 kilometres in length.
We can go beyond conventional lengths and levels of control with our Floating Spiral method. The pipe is produced onshore and bent into a large Floating Spiral on the water. Subsequently, the floating pipeline is guided and bent to form a large Floating Spiral.
Materials such as steel and concrete, and other materials used on offshore pipelines allow for elastic bending. Therefore the pipe material remains fully within its elastic limits during the winding process. The resulting Spiral is compact and strong.
After production of a Spiral, one or two tugboats can easily transport a Floating Spiral over some 1000 km. This essentially means that the Spiral can be produced at a great distance from the installation site. Prior to towing the Spiral to its installation site, it may remain at the spiralling site for several weeks (without great cost).
At the installation site the floating spiral will be unwound and the pipe tip will be gradually guided to the target box using the spiral lay pipe guiding system, the floating spiral will further unwind as it is towed to the second target box laying the pipeline carefully at the seabed.
