Bluewater Energy Services B.V., a member of the Bluewater group of companies, has introduced a Composite Cryogenic Hose made with Dyneema® fiber which is the first truly flexible large bore hose for high volume offshore LNG transfer. This is the first cryogenic application in which Dyneema® fiber has been used. Dyneema® is an ultra strong polyethylene fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Bluewater's large-bore hose construction includes a patented circular braided layer made from Dyneema®, a key enabling component providing the Composite Cryogenic Hose with high axial strength combined with excellent flexibility along with increased pressure capacity. Key characteristics of the light weight Composite Cryogenic Hose are its excellent and unprecedented tensile load performance, pressure capability, flexibility and bending endurance. This allows easy and controlled offshore handling and reliable operations.
In transferring LNG, hoses ideally need to be large-bore, durable and able to handle the sustained and potentially high loads induced by the offshore marine environment. Additionally, they should be flexible to allow operability in harsh weather conditions. Large volume fluid transfer enabled by these large-bore hoses (up to 5,000 cubic meters of LNG/hour with 16-inch hose) reduces the duration of the marine transfer operation and, therefore, the overall risk exposure. The Composite Cryogenic Hose is the result of an extensive 10-year research and development program. DSM Dyneema and Bluewater cooperated closely for the last two years and both companies have now committed to a strategic partnership which will involve cooperation on marketing and further product innovation developments.
27-May-09 
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