Page 38: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Aug/Sep 2014)

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DEEPWATER INTERVENTION to detect cracks, even small ones down to 3mm deep, nucleated from the thread. Fourteen ultrasound transducers, seven per side, sequentially scan the bolt and the respective A-scan is real time displayed at the surface. Once a crack is detected, it is possible to localize its location and length. Designed specifcally to be oper- ated by ROVs, the Crab Tool’s innovative technology was validated in offshore operations under 900m depth.

In 2012, Ativatec, once again in partnership with Petrobras, developed another ROV operated tool for use in breaking up hydrates present in connectors, in equipment such as MCVs,

SCMs, tree caps and subsea Xmas trees, for the total or partial re- establishment of well production. The technology was approved

Crab Tool in laboratory tests and was made available to the market in 2013.

Image from Ativatec.

Operators constantly need to deal with unwanted hydrate for-

In 2010, again in partnership with Petrobras, Ativatec developed mation in subsea oil production systems such as pipelines, Xmas another ROV tool for ultrasonic inspection of subsea equipment. trees, manifolds, controls and connections. Hydrate condensation

Baptized as Crab Tool, it is capable of detecting 3mm fssures causes different problems, such as decrease in oil fow, blocked in screws and plates installed in up to 3000m depths with high subsea valves and environmental risks. The subsea hydrate dis- reliability. In 2011, more than 40 successful feld inspections were sociation ROV tool, called SAES, is capable of heating a specifc done and the technology was patented. The Crab Tool is still used location of the subsea system and dissociating the hydrates, thus by Petrobras in the Campos Basin for inspection of wet Xmas trees re-establishing the regular fow. The frst prototype was produced and pipeline end manifold, which have bolts as key components. and tested at Petrobras Research Center’s Subsea Technology

Due to the extremely aggressive deepwater environment and

Laboratory with success at 1500m depth pressure and 100°C the presence of hydrogen in water, Petrobras has faced some temperature. It has been used in the Campos basin at plays such problems with these bolts, which had failed because of cracks. as Roncador and Marlin.

Offshore ultrasonic inspection is also a great challenge in deepwa- “The challenges in working with products used in the deep- ter pipeline maintenance technology. The Crab Tool or Crack Bolt water segment of the O&G industry are in offering products with

ABBTC_ADL2HP_OPOS_OE 11.07.14 11:15 Seite 1

Detection Tool was developed for in-situ bolt inspection in order simple interfaces to be operated and/or installed by ROVs and

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