GE Oil & Gas has started production of four high pressure, high temperature (HP/HT) dynamic flexible risers destined for the world’s largest FLNGfacility, Prelude, to be operated by Shell, located 250km off the coast of Western Australia.
GE will complete manufacture of the flexible risers at its facility in Newcastle, UK, where it has invested more than USD 21M (GBP 15M) to expand its production carousel capacity, enhancing manufacturing capabilities and equipping the site with the ability to accommodate larger diameter risers, which can be produced and delivered in optimum single lengths. The new carousel bays were officially opened in April 2014.
The result of GE Oil & Gas’ product development efforts is a robust, high-technology system designed to meet multiple challenges, from the need for a long-service life, high pressures, high operating temperatures, the potential for cold shut-downs and rapid depressurisation, as well as the requirement for the risers – in this instance specifically – to remain connected and survive a 1-in-10,000-year cyclonic event.
