Valkyrie Commissioning Services Seeks Patents

Valkyrie Commissioning Services Inc. (VCS) has announced the development of its Subsea Pipeline Commissioning System (SPCS) technology, and has concurrently filed for United States Government Patent Protection to safeguard its innovation and its various components. The technology, which is the result of the company’s internal research and development program over the past year, is expected to have a significant impact on the industry. The ROV-operated subsea system incorporates proven ROV and subsea technology, and is expected to reduce overall deepwater pipeline commissioning costs by as much as twenty-five percent. The SPCS process is designed to reduce project risks by increasing onsite installation efficiency, and reducing lay barge requirements.

The new system consists of ROV-based components specifically designed to replace the large compressor, booster, and nitrogen generation spreads typically associated with deepwater pipeline commissioning projects. Pigging, hydrostatic testing, de-watering, and nitrogen packing are performed from the sea floor using proven ROV-operated functions. In addition, since the pipeline commissioning can be completed from an ROV vessel, the amount of time that the deepwater pipeline installation barge is required to remain on location is significantly reduced. VCS has currently issued formal tender packages to the major ROV operating companies to manufacture the ROV associated hardware, and is expected to announce its selection shortly. In addition, several installation contractors and operators have expressed an interest in using the new technology on a number of upcoming projects.