Service Data Sheet

SmartLay™ Pipeline Flooding Prevention System

The T.D. Williamson (TDW) SmartLay™ system protects pipelines from accidental flooding caused by wet buckle during
pipe lay operations and dramatically reduces the consequences of such an event. If an offshore pipeline being laid is
breached at the over bend or sag bend, seawater will enter and flood the line (e.g., wet buckle). In such cases, the
water depth, pipeline size, and barge tensioner capacity may combine to create an undesirable situation where the lay
vessel may lose control of the pipe and suffer topside damage. Seawater and soil contaminants will enter the newly laid
line, compromising its long-term integrity. In this scenario, expensive and time-consuming commissioning spreads will
be required to clean and dewater the pipeline before it can be picked up by the vessel to continue the lay operation. It is
therefore critical to control and protect the pipe as it is laid. The TDW SmartLay system, when inserted into a pipeline,
protects it by activating as soon as the system sensors detect seawater or pressure increase. The plug module of the
SmartLay system will immediately seal off the pipe, preventing further entry of seawater and other damage to the pipe
and lay equipment.

BENEFITS FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS

 Prevents line flooding during pipe lay in both shallow and deep  The plug module is based upon the well-proven DNV GL Type
waters, thereby protecting the newly laid pipe Approved SmartPlug® technology.
 Eliminates costs associated with standby dewatering spreads
 Customized to meet project requirements. One or more SmartLay  The entire system is towed inside the pipeline behind the lay
systems can be deployed at any position in the lay pipe vessel, with the interface flange at either end being connected to
client-supplied towing arrangement.
 Operates automatically and independently of lay vessel
 Sets rapidly on detection of seawater or pressure changes  The wheel support systems have been tested to support the
 Readily interfaces with client-preferred towing and weight of the plug module up to a distance of 1200 km (745 mi).
communication arrangements
 Versatile and can function with either a cable/umbilical or a  If required, a “weak link” can be incorporated to allow the tow line
remotely operated pulling device to disconnect in the event that tool sets.
 Can be reused and reset multiple times without recovering the
equipment to the surface  The system is directly controlled from an onboard laptop operated
 Allows remote monitoring of water ingress through the use of an through a GUI. The system can actuate valve operations, check
umbilical or an ROV-held SmartTrack™ transceiver tool function, send signals when tool sets, and monitor pipeline
 Easy to operate through a Graphical User Interface (GUI). pressures on both sides of the tool.

 There are two possible methods of communication:

primary communication is through an umbilical, while secondary
is through TDW’s proprietary SmartTrack system, based on
extremely low frequency (ELF) through-wall signals that can be
detected by an ROV-held or diver-held transceiver. ELF
communication is mainly for contingency purposes.

 Functionalities:
 Rapid setting of plug module (ca. 1 sec but tool size dependent)
 Automatic setting upon contact with seawater
 Automatic setting on detection of pressure increase above a
configurable pressure threshold
 Automatic setting on meeting an obstruction in the line, such as
a dry buckle
 Forced setting and unsetting of plug module at any time through
commands sent to control module
 Preconfiguration allows the system to set automatically in case
View of SmartLay™ control interface
of communication failure.
www.tdwilliamson.com
Data subject to change without notice / ®Registered trademark of T.D. Williamson, Inc. / ™ Trademark of T.D. Williamson, Inc.
©Copyright 2015. All rights reserved T.D. Williamson, Inc.
 Service Data Sheet
SmartLay™ Pipeline Flooding Prevention System
OPERATIONAL OUTLINE
One or more SmartLay™ systems can be used to protect the riser (suspended section), laid section, or both sections of the pipeline
during either J-lay or S-lay operations (shown below).
Typical Use in J-Lay Operations
In a J-lay operation, two SmartLay systems can be used as there is
only one bend.

 The first can be deployed to a point above the sag bend to

protect the riser from flooding if a sag bend buckle occurs.
 The second can be deployed to a point past the sag bend to
prevent the already laid section of the pipeline from flooding if
a wet buckle occurs at the sag bend.

Typical Use in S-Lay Operations

In an S-lay operation, three SmartLay systems can be used to
ensure maximum safety during the operation.

 The first can be deployed to a point past the overbend to

protect the pipeline, including the riser, from flooding if an
overbend wet buckle occurs.
 The second can be deployed to a point above the sag bend to
protect the riser from flooding if a sag bend buckle occurs.
 The third can be deployed to a point past the sag bend to
prevent the already laid pipeline section from flooding if a wet
buckle occurs at the sag bend.

APPLICATIONS
 Prevents damage consequent to flooding of riser Indicative dimensions and weights of a typical SmartLay™ system
section during pipe lay from vessel (by S- or J-lay method)
Size (inches) Dimensions L × D (mm) Weight (kg)
 Prevents flooding of laid section of a pipeline on
the seafloor during pipe lay 24 2566 × 567 1300
 Allows pipe lay activities to be temporarily abandoned in 29 2808 × 711 2100
inclement weather and later resumed 32 2850 × 735 2300
36 2854 × 904 2900
42 3004 × 1024 3900
OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS
Compatible pipeline materials X52 – X70 or equivalent; tools for stainless steel pipes on request

Operating pressure Up to 250 bar (3600 psi)*; higher pressures require special configurations
Operating temperatures Min. 0°C (32°F)

Max. +50°C (122°F)

Water depth Currently 2500 m (8200 ft); greater depths can be evaluated

Activation (setting) time ca. 1 sec but tool size dependent

Pipeline length Currently qualified for 1200 km (745 mi); longer pipelines can be evaluated
No. of settings/unsettings Multiple activations possible based on project requirements

Interface with other tools Configurable interfaces

Configurable Flooding Detection Sensor Units (FDSU) Water (fresh water vs. saline)

High accuracy pressure sensors

Battery type Lithium (UN-certified for shipping)
Battery life of the control module in standby mode More than 1 year
Communication Primary: Cable

Secondary: ELF

Contingency release Through ELF

*Operating pressure is dependent on dynamic loads

www.tdwilliamson.com
Data subject to change without notice / ®Registered trademark of T.D. Williamson, Inc. / ™ Trademark of T.D. Williamson, Inc.
©Copyright 2015. All rights reserved T.D. Williamson, Inc.