Grayloc® Clamp Connectors Provide Benefits Over Standard Flange Connections
Grayloc Clamp Connector technology enables customer to optimize testing and validation regime.
1 Overview
An Oceaneering client uses Grayloc® Clamp Connectors for its equipment and also for research and development (R&D) purposes.
This client provides connection solutions for the oil and gas industry, specifically for well intervention, subsea controls, and topside transfer activities. Due to the client’s extensive test regime that it subjects its equipment to, Grayloc Clamp Connectors enable the company to maximize these tests by reducing the time required for assembly prior to the test and for disconnection after the test. In addition, Grayloc Clamp Connectors have a small footprint, enabling our client to complete work in small test bays. All of these benefits help the company to reduce the costs associated with its testing and validation regime.
2 Issues
As part of the client’s internal test regime, connectors are subjected to different conditions, requiring each piece of equipment to be assembled and then stripped down continuously.
Standard flange connections, due to their larger amount of bolting and difficulties in correctly installing the joint, increase the time required for both assembly and strip-down procedures. Furthermore, the integrity of the joint has the potential be affected by several factors, such as misalignment between the mating flanges and incorrect gasket installation.
Additionally, the bigger footprints of these standard flange connections require larger testing bays. Testing costs are, therefore, higher with the use of standard flange connectors than with the use of Grayloc Clamp Connectors.
3 Our Solution
These stated issues related to standard flange connectors have been resolved through the use of Grayloc Clamp Connectors, which:
4 Execution Plan
Generally, the required components for Grayloc Clamp Connectors are off the shelf from our Oceaneering Grayloc facilities in Scotland, Texas, Canada, and Malaysia – thus greatly shortening lead times when compared to the use of standard flange connections.
7 Results
The use of Grayloc Clamp Connectors has enabled our client to improve HSE rates, reduce CAPEX, and decrease lead times associated with the company’s testing and validation activities.
Since side loads affect the functionality of the company’s equipment design, our client prefers Grayloc Clamp Connectors over standard flange connects because Grayloc Clamp Connectors transfer fewer loads to this organization’s equipment. Additionally, a smaller torque is required when installing Grayloc Clamp Connectors, and it is easier to machine the Grayloc profile onto our client’s equipment, compared to standard flange features.
In addition, the small footprint of Grayloc Clamp Connectors has enabled the organization to continue working within its existing testing bay capacity without having to incur costs to increase this space.
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