Delta SubSea and Zerlux Collaborate on Next-Generation Laser Based Hydrate Remediation Technology

Delta SubSea and Zerlux Collaborate on Next-Generation Laser Based Hydrate Remediation Technology

Delta SubSea (“DSS”), leading integrated independent provider of Subsea Services and Solutions, signed a memorandum of understanding with Zerlux Hungary Kft. (“Zerlux”) to intensify collaboration on Laser Based Hydrate Remediation Technology.

Delta SubSea, through a partnership with ZerLux, is exploring the use of laser based technology for the oil & gas industries flow assurances needs. The Laser Based Hydrate Remediation Technology is driven by the evolution of fiber and diode laser efficiency, reliability, and a large drop in laser costs.

Laser Based Hydrate Remediation Technology uses “focused warming” to create a relief path for pressure equalization and chemical flow across the hydrate plug. Pressure equalization is extremely important during Hydrate remediation operations, because depressurization can cause the hydrate plug to detach and move uncontrollably inside the pipeline, which can have catastrophic consequences. Similarly, Laser Based Hydrate Remediation can create a path for chemical flow across the hydrate plug. This enhances dramatically the effectiveness of the hydrate remediation methods based on chemical inhibitors, allowing the media to attack the plug on multiple sides.

Scott Dingman, Delta SubSea President – CEO, said “Our new Laser Based Hydrate Remediation Technology coupled with our already existing pipeline integrity technology, INCOTEST and EUREKA, will provide our clients with a suite of tooling solutions for all of their integrity and flow assurance needs.”

The tool is based on a string of laser heads that apply thermal energy to the subsea structure. Depending on the application the string can be composed of several laser heads, from a few units for short sections up to 72 for long sections of pipeline. The string is mounted on a ROV deployable frame equipped with syntactic foam for buoyancy and thermal insulation. The tool clamps on the pipe with hydraulic cylinders, and is electro-hydraulically connected to the ROV.

Benefits of Subsea Laser applications are:

• Relative to competing technologies for hydrate remediation, lasers benefit from precise thermal management, compactness and efficiency
• Higher efficiency as laser heats pipe surface directly
• It is completely carried by the ROV and operable up to 3000m
• Modular: same base modules, different applications for pipelines, flowlines, risers etc.
• Unique in the market