TechnipFMC and Cetim signed a technological collaboration agreement to support TechnipFMC ongoing effort to develop new generations of flexible composite pipes for the transport of hydrocarbons in deep water.
These new generations of flexible pipe are leveraging the benefits of composite materials in terms of lightness, corrosion resistance and high mechanical performance, to meet the technical, economic and ecological challenges associated with the production of hydrocarbons from the growing development of ultra-deep water subsea fields.
These new generations of flexible pipe aims
to provide operators with a differentiating solution for the most demanding
applications, such as offshore pre-salt fields in Brazil, having to face three
major challenges:
– the ability to resist mechanical stresses at great depth
– the highly corrosive nature of the gases and fluids transported
– the growing cost of installing the subsea pipes required for these deepwater fields
Both technically and economically advantageous, these new generations of
flexible pipe also aims to
significantly reduce the carbon footprint compared to conventional flexible or
rigid pipe technologies.
As part of this agreement, CETIM is providing its expertise in composite material behavior and ageing as well as in the design and manufacture of complex composite systems. This agreement is in the continuity of a collaboration between the two companies, which began in 2015 on the development of complex composite applications.
The multidisciplinary skills of CETIM, particularly in materials, associated with its subsidiary ETIM, the leading European laboratory for tests in composites, represent a major asset in this development.
Jean-Francois Niel, Vice President Engineering Subsea Flexibles & Umbilicals for TechncipFMC, commented: ”We have been working for several years with CETIM as part of our strategic “Hybrid Flexible Pipe” development and have been able to appreciate the extent of the expertise that its specialists bring us. This multi-year agreement will allow us to strengthen this collaboration, in particular to work on composite R&D topics aimed at extending product performance as well as manufacturing productivity.”
Philippe Poncet, CETIM Deputy General Manager, added “We are delighted to contribute to the development of this major innovation project led by TechnipFMC for the Energy sector. Cetim has been working for more than 15 years on composite materials, which have already convinced many industrial sectors such as aeronautics, naval, chemicals, transport and renewable energies. The more recent use of thermoplastic composites (CTP), with fully automated and reproductible manufacturing processes, optimized cycle times and more environmentally friendly materials, allows a major technological shift offering new perspectives for the energy sector. “
For more information on our solutions and services to support the Energy market, please contact :
Jean Le Coz / sqr@cetim.fr / +33 (0) 970 821 680
