The initiative to prepare the umbilical manual came from the two major Norwegian manufacturers of umbilicals, Nexans and Kværner Oil Products, together with their suppliers and several oil companies.

DNV’s umbilical group from left: Olav Aamlid, Kim Mørk, Nils Søgård and Rolf Benjamin Johansen. Kjell Hagen and Andreas Echtermeyer were not present when the photo was taken.

Umbilicals are high-tech control cables where electrical and optical signals, together with control fluids and produced fluids, are transferred between sub-sea installations and the facilities at sea level. For existing and future sub-sea oil and gas applications, umbilicals are one of the most critical components of the control systems.

DNV has over a period of quite a few years carried out many projects involving utility umbilicals, including design verification, materials technology and full-scale testing.

API and ISO have developed the standards that are most frequently used today, and it is not DNV’s intention to compete with these organisations.

Recommended Practice
The head of the Technology Services Section, Kim Mørk, says: “The existing regulations in this field are not perfect. Our intention is to fill in the missing bits of specifications and standards using the joint experience gained during the JIP.”

DNV intends to issue a Recommended Practice, meant as a supplement to the existing standards. The JIP team has been asked to contribute with both economic funding and its experience relating to the manufacture and operation of umbilicals.

An important market
Kim Mørk says: “The rapidly growing umbilical market is defined as an interesting market for DNV to play a more active role in. The umbilical work group is a tool towards achieving this target.”

Mørk continues: “DNV’s strategy is to double its activity in the umbilical market by the end of 2005 compared to its position in 2003.”

Nexans and Kværner Oilfield Products currently control 40 per cent of the umbilical market.