Table of Contents
The company Vallourec has secured two additional line pipe orders from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, a development executed under the long-term framework agreement established between both organizations in 2021.
The capacity and expansion of line pipe
Through these contracts, the corporation will supply tubular systems for the Hammerhead and Longtail oil projects, highly relevant assets located in the Stabroek Block, off the coast of Guyana.
The total volume of the agreement includes the delivery of over 145 kilometers of line pipe, a figure equivalent to approximately 40,000 metric tons of high-engineered material. Within this volume, a 90-kilometer section will receive specialized treatment through the application of advanced insulation systems, complemented by corrosion protective coatings and high-strength alloys.
To support these manufacturing operations, the company has confirmed an investment aimed at the technological upgrade of its coating technologies plant located in Serra, Espírito Santo state, Brazil.
The capital injection responds to obtaining the first commercial license granted by ExxonMobil for the deployment of latest-generation resin technologies oriented towards subsea insulation. This integrated industrial infrastructure will allow processing of the material from the initial manufacturing stages to the high-end finishes required for demanding marine environments.
The adoption of this technical insulation system represents an evolution compared to conventional methodologies in the energy industry. The applied solution stands out for a single-layer molded design that adheres directly to steel, a characteristic that streamlines processing times at the production plant.
Likewise, the thermal properties of the material extend cooling periods in the ducts, a factor that significantly reduces the need for complex operational interventions, such as the continuous injection of inhibitor fluids or recirculation cycles during production interruptions. The optimization of the value chain in Latin America reinforces the regional capacity to provide high-value technical engineering solutions for large-scale exploration projects.
Source and photo: Vallourec