Composite Technology

The carbon fibre rod technology for umbilicals is developed and patented by Aker Solutions and offers a unique possibility to combat umbilical challenges in ultra deep subsea developments.

The carbon fibre rods significantly enhance stiffness and strength with little extra weight to the umbilical. This reduces the global elongation of the cable and keeps stress and strain at a low level even in ultra deep waters. This provides benefits in terms of reduced need for structural reinforcement on the host platform, reduced buoyancy requirements and increased installability. 

As a result, the Carbon Fibre Rod Stiffness Enhanced Umbilicals offers significant cost savings both at product and total system levels. 

The first deepwater umbilical was installed at the end of 2006 in the Mississippi Canyon MC-920 project at 2 900 m. First gas was achieved in July 2007. 

Due to this groundbreaking technology, we will continue to break deepwater records together with our clients. 

The carbon fibre rods work very efficiently in the Aker Solutions umbilical design as the low lay-angle ensures ”direct” action. This eliminates stiffness reduction from the effect of ”helical closing-up” or stiffness loss caused by the radial effects within high lay-angle umbilicals.

Aker Solutions' deepwater dynamic umbilical offers the following advantages: 

• The carbon fibre rods provide a low weight, high stiffness and high strength solution. It is excellent for stress reduction in deep water applications, where umbilical self weight becomes the main stress parameter
• The inclusion of carbon fibre rods provides a cost efficient method to reduce stress and improve fatigue life in all components.
• Unlimited water depths
• Robust design for installation and operation