简介：Trelleborg 公司和第一海洋石油联合研发出一种钢性连接器，可以使用ROV进行安装。

A partnership between Trelleborg and First Subsea has produced a bend stiffener connector that can be installed using an ROV. 

Trelleborg Offshore, a part of Trelleborg Engineered Systems, has teamed up with First Subsea, a leading supplier to the offshore oil and gas industry, to develop a diverless bend stiffener connector (DBSC). The DBSC provides a safe and reliable solution to the challenging problem of how to install crucial bend stiffeners without risking the lives of divers. Because the new connector is installed using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the effect of weather interruptions is minimized as well.


Problems usually arise when bend stiffeners need to be affixed to risers at somewhat greater depths, an operation traditionally performed by divers.

Bend stiffeners are used to support flexible risers. They are fixed to the end of the tube through which the riser runs beneath the platform. Made of polyurethane, bend stiffeners restrict the movement of the riser or cable. They are essential in reducing the fatigue that risers would suffer if left swinging free in the current.

The primary function of the stiffener is to extend the field life of the risers. “If a bend stiffener fails, it can reduce the life of a cable by a factor of 20 or more,” said Antony Croston, senior design engineer for Trelleborg Offshore.

Problems usually arise when bend stiffeners need to be affixed to risers at somewhat greater depths, an operation traditionally performed by divers. “The operation is hazardous as well as time consuming and subject to weather interruptions,” said Paul Hughes, First Subsea business development manager.

Oil companies such as BP and Shell were becoming increasingly unhappy with using traditional methods, specifically divers. So Trelleborg Offshore decided to develop a diverless solution and began looking for a partner.

“We saw that First Subsea had a good track record and a trusted solution in a similar application, so we went to them,” Croston said.

The solution developed by the partners works on the principle of a connector/receptacle connection. The connector is pulled up into the receptacle of the tube. To accomplish this, the connector with the bend stiffener bolted to it is lowered into the sea and attached to the riser or cable that passes through the tube. The riser is pulled up into the tube, taking the connector with it.

When the connector is fully inserted, it engages with the tube, releasing the attachment to the riser. This simple underwater operation is performed by an ROV; so no divers are involved in the operation.

“Not only is safety improved,” Hughes said, “but the operation can be performed in a matter of hours instead of the days required when using a diver. A unique feature is that this connector can be fitted to all existing tubes. We don’t know of any other supplier that can do that.”

BP carried out the first field installation of the DBSC on its deepwater Horn Mountain spar in the Gulf of Mexico 100 miles (161 km) southeast of New Orleans in Mississippi Canyon blocks 126 and 127.

“A vast amount of development and testing took place, as BP thoroughly examined our solution,” Croston said. “This was good for the development. If you can satisfy BP, you can satisfy most people.”

A second order for four DBSCs is due to be delivered to the Neptune LNG Deepwater Port Terminal off the coast of Massachusetts in the US.

For Trelleborg Offshore, the No. 1 supplier of bend stiffeners, finding a reliable solution was crucial.

“We’ve got an outstanding track record in reliability and expertise for our bend stiffeners,” Croston said. “It’s very important to protect this.” 

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