Viper Subsea upgrades V-Lock

Viper Subsea released the next generation V-LOCK hydraulic stab plate, which was originally launched in 2011. 

The new model is designed such that all the coupler float requirements are built into the flying half of the stab plate, with couplers rigidly mounted within the fixed half of the stab plate. This mitigates assembly risk for the small-bore tubing installation on the tree and umbilical termination assembly (UTA). The need for long lengths of hydraulic tubing behind the fixed plate couplings in order to maintain coupler compliance is therefore no longer required.

The consequence of removing the need for fixed plate coupling compliance is a reduction in the size of the UTA structure which thus facilitates compliance with the Umbilical Termination Size Reduction (UMSIRE) Joint Industry Project (API TR 17TR9 Subsea Umbilical Termination (SUT) Selection and Sizing Recommendations).  The aim of this JIP is to reduce the size of the UTAs and therefore reduce the installation time and costs. The fact that, by design, the fixed plate couplings are rigidly mounted also means that they are less susceptible to the effects of cementation from calcareous growth.

“The ‘zero float’ version will become our standard offering with its inherent benefits to both OEMs and the Operators,” said Neil Douglas, managing director of Viper Subsea.

The ‘zero float’ V-LOCK completed qualification early in 2015 and the first commercial deliveries have now been made.

Image:V-LOCK/Viper Subsea