OTC 2014: SBM Offshore increases operating range of high pressure swivels

Offshore staff

HOUSTON– SBM Offshore has been recognized by the OTC Spotlight Awards committee for the very high pressure fluid swivel.

This new technology increases the operating range of high pressure swivels by using a patented technique to cascade the pressure drop over multiple seals. The 12-in. prototype toroidal swivel has been fully qualified to 830 barg (12,000 psig), including long-term endurance test runs, and has the potential to operate at more than 1,000 barg (14,500 psig).

SBM says this swivel is specifically aimed at gas or water injection from FPSOs into ultra-high pressure reservoirs, such as the lower tertiary fields of the US Gulf of Mexico.