Croatian company Brodosplit, delivers a hydraulically operated pipeline lifting tool intended for handling of oil pipelines at 3,000 m of sea depth.
Device is fully operated by remotely operated vehicle (ROV), operated by a crew aboard a vessel. Practicality and usefulness of this device is best shown during regular maintenance of oil pipes, whether it is additional pipe bracketing, repair or erosion protection.
This device, with maximal cargo load capacity of 25T, can lift oil pipe of 4“ to 20“ in diameter, on sandy or sludgy bottom. When working on sludgy bottom, the device uses extensions on supporting legs that increase contact surface between the device and the bottom.
Supporting legs of the device can be separataly operated which enables simple adaptation to the bottom on which the intervention takes place. 0.5 m slope is no problem for this device. Device is powered by hydraulic power unit located on ROV and ecologically friendly fluid, that is not harmful for sea life, is used for execution of hydraulic functions.
Component part of hydraulic operating system is a valve emergency system that can disconnect the device from the oil pipeline in case of breakdown and lift it to the surface. Transport of device is made easier because of supporting legs that double in which makes it possible to transport it without difficulty in 10 feet off-shore container.
By using pipeline lifting tool, considerable time and money savings can be achieved in comparison with regular oil pipeline maintenance. Operations can be executed fast and efficiently and with maximal security by help of pipeline lifting tool.
Well-known innovator from Brač, Roko Zuanić, explained: “ This was a demanding work because we had to lift heavy loads with extremely fragile construction, so that device is tested on 37.5 tons. Our company has been working on this kind of product line for 12 years already. We made some other devices, in particular devices for cutting and processing pipeline ends. We have a whole array of products that we currently produce for this product line .”
“ With this project we have proved that we are capable of providing a product that top world oil companies need. Until now, Brodosplit, as a large system, has not always been able to recognize the needs of smaller companies, however, this is definitely a turning point and we wish to emphasise it .” highlighted Darko Pappo from Brodospilt
Press Release, February 13, 2014; Image: Brodosplit