Flexible pipe

A broad range of flexible pipe systems with advanced

integrated solutions.
TechnipFMC
Flexible pipe
TechnipFMC offers a broad range of services in
engineering, manufacturing, installation and retrieval of
flexible pipe systems with the most advanced integrated
solutions for any field developments.
TechnipFMC is the most experienced provider of Our products are versatile, corrosion resistant and
integrated solutions for subsea field developments compliant and are easy to install, retrieve and reuse for
based on a broad range of field-proven products and marginal or evolutive field architectures, making them
services. In the early 1970s, TechnipFMC pioneered environmentally friendly.
flexible pipe technology and used it to provide our
Flexible pipes have carved out their place not only in
clients with ever-higher levels of reliability and
floating facilities but also in the shallow and medium
quality in the world’s harshest and deepest offshore
water markets once the exclusive domain of rigid steel
environments.
flowlines. With internal diameters ranging from
Now more than 40 years later, our high pressure 2" to 22", flexible pipes are the product of choice for
flexible products have provided offshore operators infield lines.
with reliable and efficient subsea solutions worldwide.
At the same time, the flexible pipe’s versatility and
To date, more than 12,000 kilometers of our high-
ability to evolve with the industry will continue to
pressure flexible pipe has been installed.
ensure its place in the deepwater and ultra-deepwater
markets that characterize new offshore field
developments.

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What is flexible pipe?
A fit-for-purpose structure Main characteristics

A flexible pipe is a configurable product made up of Flexibility Modularity In 2001–2002, TechnipFMC participated in the DEMO
several layers. The main components are leakproof Flexibility is the distinctive property of a flexible pipe. The independent layers of a flexible structure enable 2000 JIP and demonstrated our ability to supply
thermoplastic barriers and corrosion-resistant steel A typical 8" internal diameter (ID) flexible pipe can it to be tailored to the precise needs of a specific heat traced flexible pipe, including gas lift tubes and
wires. The helically wound steel wires give the structure safely be bent to a radius of two meters or less. This is development. Simple flexible pipes for medium pressure temperature monitoring optical fibers within the same
its high-pressure resistance and excellent bending the reason why flexible dynamic risers have been the water transport comprise only four layers. The most line (Integrated Production Bundle). Heat tracing and
characteristics, providing flexibility and superior enabling technology for floating production systems. complex flexible pipes may have up to 19 layers. monitoring allow temperatures to be perfectly tuned
dynamic behavior. This modular construction, where the This flexibility is also important for flowlines laid on within the core production flexible pipe to meet flowing
Beyond the basic fluid barriers and stress-resistant
layers are independent but designed to interact with uneven seabed conditions. Flexibility makes it possible or cool down requirements. This type of flexible
wires, additional layers can be included to prevent
one another, means each layer can be made fit-for- to spool the pipe on a reel or in a carousel for efficient pipe provides an “all-in-one" solution for deepwater
wear between steel layers in dynamic applications or to
purpose and independently adjusted to meet specific and quick transportation and installation. applications. It has been used several times in West
provide improved thermal insulation (standard flexible
field development requirements. Africa deepwater fields and offshore Brazil.
Installability pipe already has a much better insulation coefficient
Because the flexible pipe comes in a continuous length, than steel pipe).
laying speed commonly averages 500 meters per Besides including new thermoplastic or steel layers
Corrosion resistance
hour. Separate sections are connected on deck during within the product, it is also possible to assemble
installation, eliminating the need for intermediate riser thermoplastic hoses, electrical cables or optical fibers Since the steel wires are not in direct contact with the
base structures or subsea connections. This reduces risk around a flexible pipe to produce an Integrated Service conveyed fluid, they do not require the same corrosion
in operation. Umbilical (ISU®), or include active heating for flow resistance as steel pipe. This means that our design
assurance in deepwater to produce an Integrated experience and knowledge of gas diffusion through
In 1971, the first TechnipFMC flexible pipe was installed
Production Bundle* (IPB), or with heating cables thermoplastic materials enable us to use carbon steel
in the Congo. It took 1.5 hours to lay the 650-meter
replacing armour wires technology (ETH-HCRAW). where the equivalent rigid pipe application would
flowline, including connections.
require more expensive corrosion resistant alloys.

Standard TechnipFMC
flexible structure IPB* (Integrated Production Bundle)

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Flexible pipe: a cost-effective solution Providing the best suited solutions for
field developments
High pressure resistance Versatility and reusability The widest range of services Based on a normalized 8" ID pipe, the current yearly
capacity of our plants exceeded 1,000 kilometers of
Flexible pipes resist all fluid pressures encountered in Environmentally friendly, flexible pipe can be recovered TechnipFMC is the only offshore contractor product.
the most severe subsea applications. The modularity of and reinstalled several times to be used in marginal or that seamlessly integrates design, engineering, Pipelay
the flexible pipe manufacturing process enables us to evolving fields. manufacturing and installation services through its TechnipFMC owns and operates a large fleet of
adjust thickness, shape and the number of steel wire unique integrated Engineering, Production, Construction dynamically positioned vessels, four of which are
layers to meet the specific requirements of our clients. and Installation (iEPCI) capability and Subsea 2.0
A worldwide reference dedicated to flexible pipelay. Skandi Africa, the flagship
products. Our regional staff regularly interfaces with of the TechnipFMC fleet, can lay flexible pipes to water
Modularity enables flexible technology to cover
clients worldwide. Our Flexibles Technology centers depths of 3,000m. The vessel is fully equipped with a
different applications: In the early 1970s, TechnipFMC pioneered flexible
coordinate flexible pipe related engineering within our 900 Te active-heave compensated main crane and 650
Production flexible products already installed in
`` pipe design, manufacture and installation, and now
regional business units. Te Tiltable-lay System. TechnipFMC also is a leading
waters up to 2,300 meters has accumulated more than 40 years of field-related
experience worldwide. Our strategy is to base our Flexible Pipe Plants supplier of reeled rigid pipe solutions. These assets and
Kill and choke line for drilling (up to 20,000 psi)
`` capabilities are integrated by our project management
leadership on technological differentiation. In that TechnipFMC currently operates four flexible pipe plants:
Drain pipes and foam lines for onshore refinery
`` respect, flexible pipe is our historical reference. organization, enabling us to optimize the solutions
Flexi France (Le Trait, France) was upgraded in 2017.
``
applications we offer and provide the optimum flowline and riser
TechnipFMC is committed to researching new solutions Flexibras (Vitória, Brazil)
`` systems, rigid or flexible, for any offshore development.
It also means that the flexible pipe structure to better serve our clients’ needs. We introduced Coflon®,
Asiaflex Products (Tanjung Langsat, Malaysia) was
``
is constantly evolving to meet stringent field Crossflex®, TP35, Gamma-Flex® , CoflonXD, various types
inaugured in 2010 to serve the Asia Pacific and
specifications: of Cofoam® insulation materials, both Zeta, Teta and
Middle East subsea markets
Psi vault profiles, the Vertical Laying System*, Steep
Higher pressures (up to 17,500 psi for a 6" ID, up to
`` Flexibras Açu (Port of Acu, Brazil)
``
Wave and Pliant Wave riser configurations, midwater
13,125 psi for an 8" ID, and up to 10,500 psi for a 10"
arch configurations and buoyancy modules, Integrated
ID) on dynamic riser applications
Service Umbilicals (ISU®) and multibore risers.
Higher temperatures (up to 170°C)
``
TechnipFMC also has pioneered the development of
Enhanced flow assurance: Active heating, gas lift and
`` most of the analytical and numerical tools used to
temperature monitoring design flexible flowlines and riser systems. Today, this
Ultra deepwater and up to 3,000 mwd
`` drives us to find the most reliable and client-focused
solutions for the ultra deepwater and heavy oil
production challenges that lie ahead.

The combination of flexibility, installability and modularity,

along with corrosion and high-pressure resistance,
reusability and versatility show why flexible pipe
is a cost-effective solution. Coflon®
, Crossflex® and Gamma-Flex® are registered trademarks of TechnipFMC. * patented technology

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 Field experience and milestones

1971 First flexible pipe installed in Congo for Elf Emeraude 2004 First qualification for 2,100mwd (DIP test offshore
Brazil, 7" and 9" ID flowlines)2005 Installation
1974 First flexible flowline in the North Sea on Mobil Beryl Skandi Africa
of the deepest riser (7.5" ID – 10,000psi for water
1976 First dynamic flexible riser in Brazil on Petrobras
injection) in 1,890m for BP Thunder Horse in the Gulf
Garoupa
of Mexico Extension of BV certification to 15,000 psi
1978 First flexible riser with heat tracing in Indonesia on
2006 First supply and installation of 8 x 11" Integrated
Conoco Udang
Production Bundle (IPB)* dynamic risers in 1,400mwd
1982 First flexible riser with thermal insulation
for Total Dalia, offshore Angola
1986 First dynamic flexible riser system installed in the
North Sea on Balmoral Sun Oil; First flexible pipe
2007 Supply and installation of the world’s first smooth Since 1972, the highly respected Offshore Technology Conference
bore 14" ID dynamic riser for gas export on Statoil
with a Coflon® pressure sheath in the North Sea and in Houston, Texas, USA has been honoring companies that have
Åsgard, Norway
Spain
significantly contributed to the offshore oil and gas industry. In
1987 Largest diameter of flexible riser (19" ID) on Statoil 2007 Installation of the deepest single section riser for
an 8" HP/HT sour service production application in
1995, TechnipFMC won the award for the design, manufacture
Statfjord C
1,500mwd for Chevron Agbami in Nigeria and installation of flexible steel pipe used in floating production
1988 New depth record for flexible riser (567m) in the Gulf
of Mexico on Conoco Jolliet 2010 Supply and installation of 6" and 10" flowlines in systems, deepwater developments and high-pressure pipes for
1989 First flexible pipe with a Crossflex® pressure sheath
2,100mwd, offshore West Africa drilling and well servicing.
1992 First installation using the VLS (Vertical Laying 2010 Supply and installation of 2 x 10" IPB* risers in

System)* on Saga Snorre 800mwd for Total Pazflor, offshore Angola Excellence
1994 First flowline (16" ID, 3.5 km) manufactured in 2010 Deep Immersion Test and qualification for 3,000mwd
In addition to manufacturing and supply activities,
carousel First ISU® (Integrated Service Umbilical) on
2011 Supply and installation of 6", 8" in 2,300mWD for TechnipFMC offers solutions tailored to clients’
Norsk Hydro Troll
Libra project and supply of 9.13" risers in 2,240mwd needs. With our extensive offshore field experience
1997 New world depth records for flowline (1,709m) and on Iracema Norte project and our intimate knowledge of the technical
riser (1,390m) in Brazil on Petrobras Marlim Sul challenges faced by flexible pipes, we deliver the
2012 Qualification of 9" carbon fiber armours for presalt
highest quality flexible products available.
1998 First flexible riser with a Teta pressure armor on
ultra deepwater applications
Norsk Hydro Visund and Enterprise Oil Pierce All TechnipFMC activities are placed within an
2013 IPB Papa Terra integrated Quality System that ensures our
2000 New depth record for flowline (1,877m) on Petrobras
organization, manufacturing process, product
Roncador 2016 First high temperature PE delivered 2,300m WD 8"
solutions and services are reliable and efficient. We
2001 Implementation of the first Product Integrity 2017 >100km of high temperature dynamic monolayer are certified ISO 9001 and our flexible pipe plants
Management System (PIM) on the Åsgard field, manufactured (Coflon XD) have received the API 17J certification for the design
Norway and manufacture of unbonded flexible pipe.
2018 Heat traced, ETH-HCRAW, flexible pipe on Alta Gotha
2002 Installation of the deepest flowline (1,886m) on
2018 i-Connector on Trestakk
Petrobras Roncador
2018 1,000+ km delivered for presalt field
2003 First Oil Offloading Lines (OOL) 2 x 2,240m long
installed on Shell Bonga 2019 First >140°C flexible pipe project for BP * Proprietary technology.

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 A client focused organization
A client oriented company dedicated to cost reduction
and technology

Research and development Since 2006, delivery of a 14 off smooth bore

``
gas export risers, patented technology to avoid
TechnipFMC’s Flexible Technology Division is flow induced pulsation issue. Internal diameter
equipped with a full range of test facilities, going from 9 to 14"
including a state-of-the-art laboratory for Successfully tested to a max. flow of 48MSm3/d
``
advanced material testing and analysis, making it
Highest pressure ever reached (4"; 20,000 psi)
``
possible to simulate realistic service conditions on
in service for the offshore well stimulation
actual pipe samples.
industry
The R&D activity is oriented towards extending Deep Immersion Performance test in the Gulf of
``
the current product range by introducing new Mexico: 9" at 3,000 mwd
products and materials. Cost reduction and
Development of carbon fiber armour wires
``
manufacturing quality are two of our top goals.
(corrosion free, ultra deepwater and oil
offloading applications)
Performance HP riser tested up to 105,000 psi.inch
``
(6" at 17,500 psi)
Largest internal diameter: 19" ID export riser on
``
Next generation: Hybrid flexible pipe under
``
Statfjord C (Norway) and Bonga Offloading lines
qualification
(Nigeria)
Smooth carcass for better flow assurance
``
Deepest risers in Brazil: 8" ID 2300 WD for Libra
``
or gas field
and 2240mWD for 9.13" for Iracaema norte
project Heating cables replacing armor wires
``
(ETH-HCRAW)
Deepest and highest value of diameter times
``
pressure: 7.5" ID 10,000 psi, water injection Anti-H2S sheath for an H2S free flexible pipe
``
risers and flowlines, Thunder Horse (Gulf of annulus
Mexico) in 1,890mwd. Highest value of diameter High temperature (170°C) with thermal screen
``
times pressure (for a flowline): BP Raven, Monolayer PVDF solution at 150°C
``
10 000psi, 9" ID.
Innovative proprietary technology: flexible
``
Integrated Production Bundle (IPB)*, 1,400m
Dalia, Angola and 800mwd Pazflor, Angola and
offshore Brazil
Flexibles Technology France
- the R&D center dedicated
to flexible pipes located in
Le Trait
* Proprietary technology

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Research and development
Engineering A specific offer is available relating to flexible Manufacturing Installation
risers
Our engineering group meets two main Dedicated solutions can be tailored to suit any Manufacturing is organized under a global Because of our integrated approach to
objectives: Being close to our clients to needs, from integrity management planning factory policy whereby our four flexible flexible pipe technology, we ensure that
answer their needs while and ensuring a to maintenance or service life extension pipe factories are managed similarly by our vessels and equipment are designed to
sustained level of engineering excellence. assessment, including specialized inspection, applying common quality and safety group install the flexible products we develop and
This is achieved through Local engineering repair, storage and preservation, integrity standards. Our Malaysian plant also operates manufacture.
departments in each of our business units and production monitoring, as well as data following our worldwide QHSE standards. As
Regarding equipment, we have developed and
performing most project engineering tasks management services. our manufacturing center of excellence, Flexi
patented several laying systems, including
within the project teams; We have developed differentiated France has the facilities and capabilities to
VLS*– Vertical Laying System, PPS*- Portable
technologies to address flexible pipe produce the widest range of flexible pipes.
A center of excellence in Le Trait sharing
`` Pipelay System and flexible pipe laying
integrity and performance specificities like The center is where all our innovative pipe
the same site as the main flexible pipe towers.
annulus condition or fatigue life assessment designs are first manufactured and tested.
manufacturing technology and
Flexibrás Vitória has been established These systems allow for the efficient
All engineering and manufacturing centers
`` and extension, using optical fiber, acoustic
primarily to supply the local market but can installation of flexible flowlines and risers
sharing the same design rules. emission detection, microelectronic or
also supply flexible pipe internationally. in deepwater and harsh environments.
ultrasonic/electromagnetic imaging devices.
They make it safer to lay flexible lines
Thanks to these technologies, we can offer Flexibras Vitoria and Acu supply mainly the
especially when equipped with intermediate
Integrity management monitoring solutions through condition and local markets, whereas AsiaFLex Products
connections, buoyancy modules or other
performance monitoring software. serves mainly the Asian and Middle East
ancillaries for a 650-tonne capacity.
TechnipFMC Subsea Services offers a markets and Le Trait the rest of the world.
dedicated suite of services and technologies
for asset surveillance to improve subsea
operations in terms of uptime, production and
OPEX throughout the asset lifecycle.

The morphopipe – invention by Installation

the riser integrity management

Installaton

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Ultra-deepwater performance
We offer an extensive qualification range in the
flexible pipe industry.

Our ultra-deepwater performance range extends are most affected, with each improvement
from 1,000 to 3,000 meters. answering a specific client-led challenge:

Deep Immersion Performance (DIP) full scale Internal carcass for collapse resistance
``
tests were conducted in the Gulf of Mexico in Pressure vault for collapse and weight
``
2010 with 7" and 9" ID tested at 3,000 meters reduction
water depth.
Tensile armors for weight reduction
``
2010: 6" and 10" for sour service in 2,100m
``
water depth Also available for deepwater use is active
heated flexible pipe (IPB or ETH-HCRAW)
2011: Supply and installation of 6", 8" in
``
necessary to develop some offshore fields and
2300mWD for Libra project and supply of
guarantee optimal flow assurance and smooth
9.13" risers in 2,240mwd on Iracema Norte
carcass.
project
In deep and shallow waters, our flexible pipe
We are making full use of our capacity technology is a core component supporting the
to efficiently and effectively evolve the evolution of the subsea industry, allowing us
configurability of flexible pipes. In ultra- to offer clients high quality and cost-effective
deepwater developments, the steel layers solutions tailored to their needs.

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TechnipFMC
89 avenue de la Grande Armée
75773 Paris Cedex 16
France
Phone: +33 (0)1 47 78 24 00
Contact: Flexible Pipe Business Development

Flexi France
Rue Jean Huré – BP 7
76580 Le Trait, France
Phone: +33 (0)2 35 05 50 00
Fax: +33 (0)2 35 37 49 60

Flexibrás
Jurema Barroso Street, 35
Ilha do Príncipe – Vitória – ES
29020-430 Brazil
Phone: +55 27 21 23 9444
Fax: +55 27 21 23 9799

Asiaflex Products
PLO 98 Jalan Ipil
Tanjung Langsat Industrial Complex
81700 Pasir Gudang
Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia
Phone: +607 254 8000
Fax: +607 254 8005

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