GMC Limited present at SPT 2025
This years SPT 2025 Congress Conference took place from 23rd - 24th September at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge. GMC limited were selected to present based on the submitted abstract titled "Joint development of a HPHT hybrid mechanical joint for deep water SURF risers and pipelines".
Our Senior Applications Engineer, Martin MacPhee, gave an excellent presentation which was delivered on behalf of GMC Limited and TotalEnergies, and we thank Martin for a great presentation.
The two-day conference was a great opportunity to hear the latest on technology innovation, R&D, and new approaches to delivering safe, sustainable, and cost-efficient offshore pipeline and subsea projects worldwide!
Details of our submitted abstract are below:
'Every steel grade has a water depth limit for riser system and pipeline catenary applications above which the resistance associated with thickness increases cannot compensate for the load from additional weight. Mechanical connectors machined directly onto line pipes allow using higher steel grades without facing weldability issues, enabling development of deeper fields. Absence of girth welds furthermore significantly improve fatigue performances which are critical for riser systems in sour environments. A high strength, HPHT mechanical pin and coupling system, developed and tested by GMC Limited and Total Energies, is presented as a solution as an enabler for deepwater developments, whilst reducing project costs, removing welding, NDT and coating from the critical path (offshore installation phase). In addition to S-lay or J-lay vessels, the possibility to install from drilling ships can widen the range of suitable vessels as well as weather windows. Built on the success of the field-proven GMC pipeline connector, the hybrid ‘HC Series’ system incorporates a non-rotational, push-fit mechanical connector, with multiple gas tight, patented metal seals on the OD and ID. Designed for sour service and features independent Inconel gasket seals which interface with Inconel clad areas within the ID profile. The structural strength of the joint is provided by multiple rings of precision machined teeth, which engage to form a maintenance-free connection, made-up within one minute. It can furthermore be disconnected within the same timeframe for repeat re-use. Non-threaded design and tests under tension as part of make-up procedure ensures reliability of the connection'.
