18-Deep Ocean Pressure Simulation Testing Flyer

Deep Ocean Pressure Simulation Testing

With more than 48 years of experience in offshore and marine technologies, Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) offers a wide variety of services to meet the need for deep ocean pressure simulation testing. These services provide a final check of quality and operational integrity for clients including oil pro-ducers, manufacturers of subsea components, pipeline manufacturers, and the U.S. Navy.

The SwRI Ocean Engineering and Structural Testing Laboratory has more than 10,500 square feet of climate-controlled laboratory space, with additional outdoor test facilities. Deep ocean pressure simulation test chambers range from 90 inches inside diameter, 20 feet deep to 10 inches inside diameter, 20,000 psig.

The main pressure laboratory houses more than 10 deep ocean pressure simulation chambers which are used for static, cyclic, and destruct testing.

Services

Engineering design verification

Product evaluation

Prototype construction

Design and fabrication of special test fixtures for client-specified requirements

High-speed and still underwater photography

In April 2001 the Institute installed a new vertical chamber rated at 6,000 psig, 13,480 feet, 32°F. The chamber has hydraulic and electrical penetrations, and underwater cameras are available.

Testing

Internal and external hydrostatic pressure tests

Stress analysis and acceptance tests

Operational tests requiring electrical and hydraulic penetrations

Collapse and burst tests on API steel pipe casing, fiberglass pipe, titanium, and stainless steel pipe

Testing of prototype equipment, pressure housings, subsea instrumentation, cables, connectors, oil field production and safety equipment


Test chamber 20 feet deep with 90-inch inside diameter	Subsea production assembly being prepared for test


Subsea valve being placed in test chamber	Large-diameter pipe casing after collapse test

For additional information about Deep Ocean Pressure Simulation Testing, please visit www.deepoceansimulation.swri.org.

This flyer was published in September 2007. For more information about deep ocean pressure simulator testing, contact Jesse I. Ramon, Manager, Phone (210) 522-2441, or Lee E. Ries, Principal Engineer Technician, Phone (210) 522-3061, Fax (210) 522-3485, Test and Evaluation Section, Department of Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Division,Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510.