The new rope, which has been installed on Allseas’ pipelaying vessel ‘Audacia’, enables faster, easier and safer operations.

’Adjusting the stinger is a critical part of the pipe laying process because it determines the precise curvature of the pipe as it enters the water, said André Steenhuis, Allseas innovation manager. ‘The heavy, rough steel wire rope hampered our crews, slowing down our operations. With the rope’s high strength and low weight provided by Dyneema fibre, we can achieve the precision we need more quickly and easily. Our partnership with DSM Dyneema has led to a major advance in pipe laying efficiency and safety.’

Because of the heavy weight of the 150m steel wire rope, Allseas’ crews experienced difficult handling, and higher risk of damage and injury. Also, corrosion shortened the rope’s useful life. In contrast, the new stinger adjustment rope with Dyneema is easy to lift and manoeuvre, is exceptionally durable, and can help avoid injuries. The high strength to weight ratio of Dyneema polyethylene fibre enables use of thinner ropes that are easier to deploy, recover and store. The rope made with Dyneema fibre only weighs 9.8 kg/m; steel wire rope of equivalent strength weighs about 65 kg/m.

BEXCOropes created the load bearing portion of the adjustment rope from 100% Dyneema fibre. The core of the 136mm diameter rope is protected against abrasion by a Deltaflex cover, which is BEXCOropes’ proprietary technology. Adjustment ropes, which are kept on a winch, can be subjected to as much as 250 tons of force.

Rigo Bosman, market segment manager offshore at DSM Dyneema said, ‘We have closely collaborated with Allseas Group and BEXCOropes to perfect new rope technology based on Dyneema fibre, which will help pipe laying companies improve the efficiency and safety of day to day operations. Although this is the first use of Dyneema fibrer in this industry, its strength, light weight and durability have proven their value in many other marine applications, and we see great potential for Dyneema in new offshore applications such as abandonment and recovery ropes.’