Trelleborg Offshore Develops Next Generation Subsea Thermal Insulation

Trelleborg Offshore has developed the next generation of its popular Vikotherm subsea thermal insulation material which has been successfully installed throughout the subsea oil and gas industry for over twenty years. Vikotherm II offers improved elasticity, as well as enhanced process and manufacturing flexibility as the system can be applied on site, anywhere around the world.

Innovation & Technology Manager at Trelleborg Offshore, Grethe Hartviksen, commented: “As the industry moves towards even more demanding subsea applications, the need for high performance, durable and reliable products, has never been greater. As a key element of many offshore drilling projects, subsea thermal insulation has an important role to play to ensure the smooth running of a facility. As such, it was only natural that we further enhanced our already successful subsea thermal insulation system.

“The formation of hydrate plugs and wax build up is a real risk during operation shut downs. Vikotherm II provides a practically incompressible, seawater resistant, impact resistant solution which has very good thermal insulation properties and also provides maximum corrosion protection, ensuring optimal flow assurance.

“Not only is it designed to last the life of the subsea project (20 to 40 years), it is also maintenance free and will normally never be replaced, providing further peace of mind to the offshore industry.”

Utilizing all the benefits of the first generation solution and taking them a step further, Vikotherm II has a k-value of 0.13 W/mK, can be used up to 9842ft/ 3000m deep and utilized on liquid temperatures up to +311 °F/ +155 °C, as well as external temperatures as low as -31 °F/ -35 °C.

In order to provide even more flexibility when it comes to design and logistics, this new solution now also allows for mobile production and can be installed on-site.