Cabot Aerogel, a business of Cabot Corporation, today announced its patented and patent-pending Nanogel(R) aerogel Compression Pack(TM) product has been selected to insulate a 60 km subsea pipeline in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Energy Resource Technology (ERT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Helix Energy Solutions Group (NYSE:HLX) , is the operator of the pipeline located in Danny field development, Garden Banks block 506.
The 8 inch-in-12 inch pipe-in-pipe tieback will be the longest aerogel- insulated pipeline ever constructed and the first time that aerogel has been used in an S-lay application. It will also be the first pipe-in-pipe system to be installed by Helix's new state-of-the-art 480-foot long DP S-lay pipeline installation vessel, Caesar, that is under construction. The Caesar can lay pipe from 6-inch to 42-inch OD and with its 400-ton tension capacity, the vessel can install pipe in water depths in excess of 6,500 feet, and install large diameter trunk lines in shallow water.
The ultra-low conductivity of Nanogel aerogel is a key enabler of ERT's pipe-in-pipe system design, which has a low U-value of 0.15 BTU/hr.ft2·degrees Fahrenheit (0.85 W/m2·K) while maintaining a 12- inch outer jacket pipe. Additionally, the rugged design of the Nanogel Compression Pack packaging system makes it well-suited for pipe-in-pipe applications where weld slag, scale, and other factors can pose significant challenges or create delays for systems using less durable products.
The Nanogel Compression Packs that will insulate the ERT Danny pipe-in- pipe system consist of packs of compressed Nanogel aerogel with an integrated protective outer layer of high-density polyethylene. These packs are applied to 40-foot sections of inner pipe and expanded to their precise final forms prior to insertion of the insulated inner pipe into an outer pipe. The completed pipe units will then be transported offshore where they will be welded together aboard the Caesar.
"We are delighted to be working with Cabot on ERT's first aerogel project and consider this technology to be a critical component in achieving the performance that is required in today's deepwater environment. The mechanical strength of Nanogel combined with the durable form of Cabot's Compression Pack system provide added benefits during pipeline fabrication and installation," says Majid Al-Sharif, ERT subsea manager for the Danny field development project.
"Helix is a worldwide leader in deepwater technology innovation, making them a perfect fit for projects with Nanogel aerogel," said Aaron Johnson, global oil and gas business development manager for Cabot. "We are very excited to be supporting Helix on this project and look forward to more collaboration with them in the immediate future in the Gulf of Mexico and other basins around the world.