Ultra-Deepwater Subsea UHP Water Jet

There is a wide array of equipment used in deepwater oil and gas E&P, many are well known, others less so and some are simply unique. Deepwater subsea ultra-high pressure water (UHP) jets belong to this last category. Chukar Waterjet is the only water jet manufacturer in the world that offers UHP water jets that operate in the ultra-deepwater subsea environment, down to depths of up to 10,000 feet (3000 meters). Chukar’s deepwater subsea water jet system has numerous applications for deepwater emergency response operations, salvage operations, and rapid de-mobilization operations. It can cut steel up to 250 mm thick and quickly blast away concrete weight coatings, corrosion and marine growth at pressures up to 55,000 psi (3800 bar).

Waterjetting equipment also may be used to provide turbulence in a stream of methanol for hydrate remediation, an application Chukar developed in emergency response to the Gulf oil spill, when the company was asked to rapidly manufacture a system to clear a clogged containment system 5,000 feet (1500 meters) underwater. Unlike conventional tools, waterjet cuts without heat, reducing the hazard of igniting trapped pockets of gas during cutting. Waterjet system tools cannot bind in the cut, jeopardizing asset integrity.

Chukar’s subsea waterjet system can be operated by a diver or ROV, and its remote-controlled operational capabilities make it suitable for projects requiring diverless operations. Effective at cutting steel up to 250 mm thick or waterjet blasting at pressures up to 3800 bar, Chukar’s subsea waterjet equipment has numerous applications for deepwater emergency response operations, salvage operations, and rapid de-mobilization operations.

Application Examples: • Cutting for removal of subsea structures • Cutting for removal of subsea wrecks • Blast or rotary cleaning to isolate welds for inspection • Blasting for removal of hydrate ice • Blast or rotary cleaning for removal of marine growth and other coatings

Chukar Subsea Waterjet Skid: • Surface-Powered 100HP • Electric 55KPSI/2 GPM UHP Intensifier • Operable to 10,000 ft. Depth • ROV-Operable Tools • Size: 6’x6’x8’; Weight: < 6,300 lbs • Media: Seawater, Fresh Water, Methanol Abrasivejet Cutting: • 8” Thick Steel • Tanks, Pipelines, Wellheads/Risers

There is no doubt that UHP waterjet tools are here to stay as they offer interesting advantages over other traditional tools and are reasonably simple to use. It is interesting to note that only one company presently offers this technology, which is undoubtedly going to be in great demand in the near future due to the large amount of deepwater projects being developed at the GoM, WA and in Brazil