The Acteon company CAPE Group, based in Singapore, says it has
developed and successfully tested an orbital welding unit that can be
used to repair oil and gas pipelines on the seabed. Officials said a
trial was carried out in Abu Dhabi when two sections of 30-inch pipe
were successfully welded underwater within a hyperbaric chamber specially designed to house the orbital-welding equipment. The results
of X-ray analysis and mechanical testing of the weld reportedly have
since all proved satisfactory.
As a result of this first trial, plans are being made to carry out
further tests later this year on 48-inch diameter pipe to prequalify the
technique for pipeline repairs for two major Qatar-based operators. The
chamber, which is capable of simulating water depths to 600 feet, will
be used in the future to define welding procedures and qualify the
welding unit to meet the pipeline repair requirements presented by
individual clients.
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