Swagelining delivers world-first ‘all polymer’ connector to trio of operators

Swagelining, the leading polymer lining specialist for subsea pipelines, has successfully installed its LinerBridge® connector technology for the first time.

The Swagelining team installed the LinerBridge® polymer lining connectors within Pipeline Bundles for one of Equinor’s developments in the Norwegian North Sea; followed by a second project for reeled tie-ins for Wintershall Dea’s Nova water injection pipeline in the Norwegian North Sea; and thirdly Ithaca Energy’s Cook Field in the North Sea.

The technology increases the cost-effectiveness and lowers complexity of polymer lining systems, enabling a step-change in tackling costly internal corrosion of pipelines and risers. LinerBridge® is an alternative to conventional corrosion resistant alloy (CRA) connectors and creates a robust and fully integrated polymer barrier within the pipeline.

Liam Macintyre, managing director of Swagelining said: “Our first installations of the LinerBridge® connectors within offshore pipelines marks an exciting and significant evolution of our polymer lining technology. Not only does LinerBridge reduce the cost of today’s reel-lay flowline and towed Pipeline Bundle projects, LinerBridge is also the enabler in expanding the application of polymer lining’s cost-effective corrosion protection to other offshore pipeline systems such as deepwater flowlines, dynamic service risers and S and J-lay installation methods.”   

One of the key components of a polymer integrated lining system is the connector technology. Connectors are required to join sections of polymer lined pipeline together to form the overall pipeline length and to terminate the pipeline. Manufactured from the same material as the liner, the innovative connector contains no CRA materials, removing the need for costly CRA welding and unlocking the value of polymer lining.

LinerBridge® uses robust and proven electrofusion welding technology adapted from the onshore gas industry to provide a continuous polymer corrosion barrier end-to-end for the pipeline system. This reduces connector procurement costs and schedule and allows for standard carbon steel welding procedures to be utilised for pipeline tie-ins.

LinerBridge® has been qualified by DNV GL for use in offshore and onshore applications including towed pipeline bundles and reel-lay.