Strohm rolls out first TCP with integrated weight coating

Netherlands-based Strohm has developed and manufactured a Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP) with an integrated weight coating that provides clients on bottom stability as part of the game changing technology.

A TCP is a spoolable, fully bonded pipe with glass or carbon fiber reinforcements. While most often used in deep water, the combination of a solid wall, spoolability, and corrosion resistance makes TCP attractive for production - flowlines in shallow water also.

The one produced by Strohm – which has the largest track record globally for the production and delivery of TCP – is the first fully bonded 2.5-inch ID, 2,200 metre TCP Flowline with a unique weight coating innovation. It has been supplied to Trident Equatorial Guinea Inc to support operations at its Elon-C tie-back, located offshore on the west coast of the Central Africa region.  

Strohm’s project for Trident saw the technology being delivered on a transportation and installation reel before being laid between two platforms and connected to the topside facility allowing single length riser to flowline application. The integrated weight coating minimises on-bottom stability issues for the pipe in such shallow water whilst maintaining flexibility and ease of installation. The unique nature of Strohm’s TCP and end termination methodology allowed the vertical section of the flowline to be pulled through smaller J-Tubes and terminated on a platform – providing flexibility in installation as well as reduced fabrication costs.

“This is the first use of TCP which was successfully installed on our Okume Complex. The integrated weight coating, in addition to other means, helped us ensuring an on-bottom stability of this TCP in such shallow water,” Simon Lorelli, subsea operations manager for Trident, said in a statement. “In addition, the use of Strohm’s TCP product offers the flexibility of terminating the flowline offshore, which considerably, de-risked the offshore execution,” he added.

TCP has a 100 percent track record of no failures on installed pipe, and the technology is increasingly being applied in the renewables sector, including offshore hydrogen and carbon capture and storage as well as in conventional oil and gas applications.

Strohm were able to offer a fast-track delivery to support Trident’s schedule, with order placement in February 2021 and delivery in May.

“This is an extremely important award from Trident and marks a major milestone in terms of it being the first TCP flowline manufactured with an integrated weight coating providing on bottom stability whilst in service,” said Paul McCafferty, Strohm, VP Europe & Africa. “Strohm’s track record for TCP is exemplary and this success in Africa is helping to extend our track record in the region while supporting the sector’s focus on lowering carbon emissions,” he added.