FES International, a global provider of fluid transfer systems, has announced the completion of the first phase of a major new project with Saipem Drilling, in which it supplied a range of products, enabling fluid flushing and pressure testing to support the delivery of the Nord Stream consumer gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea.
Worth over $1M (£800K), the ongoing project saw FES supply international drilling contractor Saipem Drilling with 24 bespoke hotstabs to connect two main systems at the pre-commissioning stage.
Earlier this month, European leaders formally opened the Nord Stream gas pipeline which connects Russia and the EU via twin pipelines under the Baltic Sea. At full capacity, it will provide 27.5 billion cubic metres of Russian natural gas annually to Western Europe, enough to supply 26 million households with heat and hot water.
A hotstab is a high pressure subsea connector used to link into mud systems for intervention or emergency operations on offshore sites. Suitable for use with subsea pigging, chemical or gas injections including floor and vent operations, the connector can be used on new and retrofit offshore rigs enabling an alternative entry point into a mud system.
FES hotstabs provided fluid coupling and flushing preventing debris from passing through the pipeline and are currently the only products of their kind in production.
Managing Director of FES International, Rob Anderson said:
“FES International is delighted to have been chosen to work with Saipem Drilling on the high profile Nord Stream project. FES is at the forefront of hydraulic hotstabs installations and it is testament to our pedigree that we were chosen to deliver work on this high profile project.
“It is a further affirmation of the quality of FES International’s products and services; the completion of the work illustrates our capabilities to deliver timely and flexible solutions on a global scale.”
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , February 17, 2012; Image: FES International