The SUT along with Flexlife, hosted the first of a new regular forum meeting focused on Unbonded Flexible Pipe in Houston on Wednesday 15th January 2014.
The forum brought together Operators, Installers and Manufacturers of flexible pipe. The attendee companies included BP, Chevron, LLOG, Subsea 7, Petrobras, Technip and Anadarko with the overall number of attendees increasing from the original planned 40 to 80, demonstrating a wide interest in this topic, resulting in informed and worthwhile discussions.
The event involved active discussion on a wide range of topics of interest for the design, manufacture, installation, operation, IRMand life extension of these often operationally critical assets. This 2 hour lunch meeting included a key note topic presented by industry experts as well as lively discussions on burning issues or problems currently faced by all attendees, or well known in the industryand the various ways to deal with these issues.
Following the success of this first forum, it is now the aim to hold one on a quarterly basis. The forum will have a steering committee consisting of a cross section of expert participants from operators, manufacturers, installers and consultancies who will assist with the selection of key topics for discussion.
We hope that going forward, this forum will improve the understanding and the use of these key production assets amongst the Houston subsea community. Also, for participants to benefit from reduced operational risk and improved life of asset cost.
The date of the next forum is planned as 15th April and more information will follow on time, venue and content.