Balltec has recently been awarded a contract by Enbridge Offshore Facilities, LLC of Houston for the Vito project which is located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 150 miles south of New Orleans, Louisiana, and in water depths of 4,000 ft.
The scope of supply awarded to Balltec is for its PipeLOK pipeline recovery tools and flangeless subsea PIG launchers. The equipment will be rented for contingency purposes during the subsea installation of the 18-inch oil and 10-inch gas export pipelines as well as the 14 and 10-inch steel catenary risers. The installation campaign is due to commence in Q4, 2019.
The award represents further success for Balltec’s subsea PIG launcher design, which is the world’s first diverless and flangeless launcher. The subsea tool enables the dewatering of pipelines from a cut section of pipe without the need of any additional fixtures. The PIG launcher uses Balltec’s proven gripping and sealing technology to create a fast, safe and reliable connection.
With a flawless track record over numerous projects and now being in its third generation of evolution, the PipeLOK continues to be the most reliable pipeline abandonment and recovery tool.