Saipem recently established new milestones in the oil service industry with the installation of two gas export Free Standing Hybrid Risers (FSHR)[1] , 20-inch and 19-inch respectively, located in the Pre-Salt area of Santos Basin at approximately 300 kilometres from the Brazilian shoreline.

In particular, the operations related to the 20-inch FSHR set records for the largest, deepest and heaviest installation of such systems in the industry, as well as the longest and heaviest buoyancy tank ever installed. In both operations, the buoyancy tanks were uprighted in the water using the self-upending method, which involves controlled flooding.

These challenging operations, completed safely and effectively, were performed by Saipem’s highly specialized field development ship, FDS2, in water depths of 2,200 m and made use of the full lifting and handling capacities and technology of the vessel, which include a 1,000 t main crane, 750 t and 500 t A&R winches, and two 1,500 t capacity patented friction clamps on the J-lay tower.

These outstanding results are in no small part the outcome of continuous engineering, fabrication and operational improvements that have been constantly nurtured through the successful implementation of a number of FHSR systems in projects all over the world.

[1] System consisting of a free standing vertical steel riser pipe, top-tensioned by a near-surface buoyancy tank providing stability. A flexible jumper connects the top of the riser to a floating production unit, while the riser is attached to the sea bed via a foundation. Finally, a rigid base jumper connects the FSHR to the pipeline end termination.

About Saipem

Saipem is one of the world leaders in drilling services, as well as in the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of pipelines and complex projects, onshore and offshore, in the oil & gas market. The company has distinctive competences in operations in harsh environments, remote areas and deepwater. Saipem provides a full range of services with “EPC” and “EPCI” contracts (on a “turn-key” basis) and has distinctive capabilities and unique assets with a high technological content.