1. What is a SSV?
2. What information can the SSV testing provide?
3. How does the SSV work?
4. What benefits does Bredero Shaw’s SSV testing bring to its customers?
5. What is the water depth and operating temperature range?
6. What are the capabilities of the new SSV?
7. What is the typical length of SSV testing time?
8. How measurements are taken in SSV?
9. Is the SSV safe to be operated?

ShawCor’s new Subsea Test Facility for flow assurance coatings in Toronto, Canada is the latest step in our commitment to quality and service.  The Simulated Service Vessel (SSV) is designed to simulate deep water service conditions for insulated pipe, flexible pipe and custom coated subsea structures. The SSV is used to conduct testing of an insulated steel pipe under conditions similar to those it will encounter in subsea service.

Bredero Shaw will use ShawCor’s SSV to simulate service conditions experienced by subsea insulation coatings by controlling the water temperature and applying pressure to the water surrounding the insulation coatings while controlling the temperature inside the pipe. By simulating these service conditions within the test vessel and measuring the heat flow and compressive creep of the insulating material, Bredero Shaw is able to advise the pipeline design engineer of both the thermal efficiency and depth rating of the insulation.

A thermally insulated sample is mounted in the vessel. The steel pipe sample is heated with a seven-zone electrical heater, controlled by thermocouples in each zone. The following parameters are monitored continuously:

• water temperature
• temperature of the insulation coating surface
• temperature of the inner steel wall
• water pressure on the outside of the pipe
• heat flux in the radial direction at different zones
• radial displacement using LVDT sensors

The system monitors and records the measurements during the test period.  The multi-zone controls and multi-point measurements of this system provide integrity testing of the insulation coating performance under the defined testing conditions.

• Accurately simulates subsea conditions up to depths of 3,000m using multi-zone electrical heating and circulating water.
• Precise measurement of thermal properties across the whole pipe length using multiple heat flux sensors gives accurate measurement of cool-down and U-value.
• Largest vessel size in the industry allows for testing of pipe samples of 6m length and diameters up to 36”, meeting real-life requirements as well as multiple pipe samples to reduce time of qualification.
• Real-time data collection allows for rapid determination of system performance.
• Customer service focused with available schedule to meet your project testing requirements.

With market requirements trending towards deep and ultra deep exploration opportunities, the vessel has been designed to accommodate testing to an equivalent water depth up to 3,000 m (9842’) at an internal pipe temperature of up to 180°C (356°F).

The SSV accommodates project pipe with field joint, multi-pipe configurations and custom fittings. With an internal diameter of 1.2 m., it is much larger than most test vessels and capable of testing pipe up to 36” in diameter.

The typical length of SSV testing is 28 days. Long term tests (up to 12 months) may be possible depending on schedule and equipment availability.

By measuring the changes in heat flow, thermal conductivity and compressive creep, ShawCor’s SSV analysis confirms the thermal efficiency, depth-rating and overall heat transfer-coefficient (U-value) of the pipe insulation. Long-term performance is verified by testing until no further creep of the insulation is observed.  Unlike traditional testing methods, the SSV performs direct pipe wall measurement in seven separately controlled testing zones. With real-time data acquisition, the SSV delivers quick and accurate risk assessment – and enables identification of alternative coating strategies if needed for long-term performance and pipeline integrity. Third party certification is provided for sensor validation, validation of data, and compliance with procedures.

The answer is yes due to the following facts:

A risk assessment of the design and operation has been carried out. The vessel door, which weighs 20 tonnes, will be fully supported on cart at all times during operation.  The pipe will be supported on a carriage during both set up and testing, eliminating the hazards of a suspended load.  The vessel has been pressure tested at over 140% of maximum design pressure (300 bar) to meet stringent government codes.