Gulf of Mexico pipelines get 64 RetroLinks^™

64 RetroLinks™ attached with 26 RetroClamps™

Deepwater was contracted to supply and oversee the installation of 64 RetroLinks™ attached via 26 RetroClamps™ on three pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico in order to increase pipeline CP measurements to acceptable levels.

The RetroClamps™ and RetroLinks™ were installed by a team of divers at pre-selected locations on the pipeline. The pipelines had concrete weight coating (CWC) and were buried approximately 5’-10’ deep. The RetroLinks™ were deployed by crane over the side of the vessel and positioned on the seabed perpendicular to the pipeline.

On two of the pipelines, the concrete weight coat was 4.5” – 5” thick, which was too thick for the clamp to penetrate to create an electrical connection. The client’s representative approved using a 10K water blaster to create a 3”-deep hole in the coating and wire mesh to facilitate installation.

A Polatrak® CP Gun™ was used to take pre-and-post CP readings at all locations. The RetroLinks™ were electrically continuous with the pipelines and were providing proper cathodic protection in compliance with NACE standards.

Download case study