A key technology area which is dominated by water depth is riser design. In the application of Production Riser, both Steel Catenary Risers and flexible pipes are applied. Airborne is developing the full Thermoplastic Composite Riser (TCR) which features the following benefits over steel risers:

• The stiffness of the TCR is a factor 10 lower then steel, allowing for a smaller mean offset, reducing stress fluctuations - introducing opportunities for Single Catenary Configurations in shallow waters with large diameters.
• The TCR has a Minimum Bending Radius a factor 8 or more smaller then steel, avoiding fatigue issues at the touch down point.
• Reduced top tensions and floater loading, due to lower weight of the TCR, increasing operational envelope to unprecedented water depths.
• Lower friction and pressure drop, due to smooth liner surface.
• Significant improvement in fatigue resistance, the thermoplastic materials allow for high ductility and spoolability.
• Lower thermal conductivity and higher heat capacity than steel, better thermal properties for flow assurance.

This - fully bonded - solution is a different from flexible pipes:

• One solid reinforcement layer supports all different load cases, creating a fail safe, reliable tubing system with higher collapse resistance at large diameters.
• The one solid reinforcement layer allows for a tailored pipe design, with for instance high collapse strength at the touch down point and high tensile strength in the top tension area.
• The all composite TCR is impervious to corrosion.
• The TCR is a cost-effective solution compared with conventional flexible pipes.
• Improvement in fatigue resistance.
• Because of the solid cross-section, load transfer at the end-fittings is more efficient and less complex.
• No friction between reinforcement layers - a common cause of damage in flexible pipes.
• Reinforcing the liner creates a smooth bore inner liner with high collapse strength, avoiding carcass induced pulsations.

For more information on Thermoplastic Composite Riser, please download the White Paper.

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