CoreTec™, Flotation Technologies new drilling riser buoyancy module
Flotation Technologies, Inc., a world leader in the engineering, design and manufacturing of deepwater buoyancy and polyurethane elastomer systems, today introduced CoreTec™, its new drilling riser buoyancy module, to the marketplace. CoreTec is an engineered solution to an old problem-how to safely compensate for the weight of the drill string in deep water. Using the latest in 3D CAD design and finite element analysis, Flotation Technologies' engineers have designed a product that is tougher, safer and can go deeper than any buoyancy modules currently in the market.
"CoreTec combats the typical rough handling riser buoyancy modules are subjected to in two, unique ways," explained Tim Cook, president. "First, the SolidCore™ inner buoyancy material is cast from solid, pure syntactic foam containing no "minispheres" or "EP's", the major cause of implosions and buoyancy loss. This SolidCore™ foam allows the modules to reach depths of 12,000 feet and beyond without danger of catastrophic failure. Then, the ToughSkin™ outer shell is molded from thick, solid, high-density polyethylene. This shell provides an unprecedented level of protection, from both impact and abrasion, for the syntactic foam inner core."
The CoreTec design is concentrated around using the strongest materials to create a product that provides the best protection. The product is designed so that it will experience less breakage in the yard and while running and retrieving; lower buoyancy loss in service, and minimal risk of failure all of which equate to fewer spares, less down-time and reduced risk to personnel, significantly lowering total cost of ownership over time.
