Tata Steel Progresses Pipeline Contracts
Tata Steel has been awarded three major contracts, worth around GBP 20million, providing pipeline to Subsea 7 to support three North Sea projects including BP’s Andrew Area and Apache’s Bacchus developments. The contracts will see delivery of almost 17,000 tof steel from Tata Steel’s Hartlepool site, England, to Subsea 7’s pipeline bundle fabrication site in Wick, Scotland. Pipeline bundle technology is unique to Subsea 7.
Pipeline bundle technology allows efficiencies to be generated by neatly incorporating all the structures, valve work, pipelines and control systems necessary to operate a field in one single product. The company will supply the large outside diameter double submerged arc welded (DSAW) carrier pipe from its 84″ pipe mill in Hartlepool. Close control during the three roll bend manufacture process ensures pipe is supplied to tight outside diameter and wall thickness tolerances giving accurate control over the final weight of the carrier pipe and bundle system.
Tata Steel also supplies small outside diameter sleeve pipe, manufactured in the high frequency induction (HFI) 20″ mill. The HFI manufacturing process allows tight control over dimensional tolerances, which are key to the overall weight of the bundle for tow out and installation. The company supplies 27 m lengths of pipe, manufactured from three 9m lengths girth welded together, and applies a glass flake epoxy coating.
All pipelines will be transported by rail from Hartlepool to Georgemas junction, in the Scottish Highlands, then by road to Subsea 7’s pipeline bundle fabrication site at Wick, North Scotland. The three contracts represent a combined length of 43 km. Tony Walker, key account manager from Tata Steel said: “We have a long track record of success with providing linepipe for Subsea 7. This relationship has seen significant investment in enhancing dimensional tolerance to aid weight control and coatings provision for Subsea 7 pipeline bundle systems.” Steph McNeill, vice president UK, Subsea 7 added: “Subsea 7 has a proven track record in successful ‘bundle’ design, fabrication and installation. This achievement is supported by the strong and long standing partnerships we build with our suppliers, such as Tata Steel, who we have been working with for around 17 years.”