Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK – Balmoral will highlight a new bend stiffener connector (BSC) next week at its booth at the Offshore Europe exhibition.
Bend restricting devices, which include stiffeners and restrictors, are used in offshore oil and gas and wind projects where there is a need to control the bend radius of a pipe, cable or umbilical.
Normally they are attached at topside or seabed connection areas, and they are typically conical-shape polyurethane mouldings with a cylindrical bore that fits over the affected component.
The new Balmoral development comprises a lead-in cone, BSC and dynamic bend stiffener. The BSC is drawn through a bellmouth located beneath a floating platform: as the BSC latching system engages with the bellmouth, the anchoring mechanism comes into action.
This latch then secures the mechanism during descent and maintains system stability as the anchors fit into place on the tapered neck of the bellmouth.
The system is designed for diverless installation, and the design and manufacturing process is said to comply with API 17L standards. Incorporation of a reusable pull head is said to improve installation timelines and add practicality to the overall process.
08.31.2023
