Umbilical systems

Nexans is a world leader in the manufacturing of subsea umbilical systems. We provide umbilical systems with all necessary steps reaching from design, engineering, and manufacturing, through testing, installation and commissioning.

In all types of applications
Nexans umbilicals are used in all types of applications; connecting subsea installations; subsea installations and fixed- and floating platforms (semis) and FPSOs; as well as subsea to shore systems.

Long umbilical lengths, large weights and volumes
Nexans’ staff and manufacturing equipment can handle long umbilical lengths and large weights and volumes – all traits of a subsea to shore umbilical, the latest trend in the offshore industry. Nexans has already supplied umbilicals with a continuous length of 145 km to Statoil’s Snøhvit (Snow White) project in 2005. Other historic key numbers include a total delivery weight of 4000 tons, a max. unit weight of 135 kg/m, and an outer diameter of 213 mm.

Deeper water and subsea processing
Two continuing trends in the offshore umbilical industry is oil production in deeper and deeper waters and a desire to perform subsea processing. Both trends affect the umbilical design: The weaker cross-section components must be able to withstand the larger forces and elongations. The cross-section must include high voltage power elements.

In-house capabilities
Nexans has in-house capabilities in all aspects related to umbilical system design. Our competent staff covers all aspects of an umbilical project, and key personnel follow the process from the bid phase, through engineering, manufacturing, testing and installation

• We design and manufacture electrical and fiber optic elements.
• We design and manufacture power elements and power cables.
• In-house design capabilities give our engineers a profound understanding of how cross-section forces translate into stresses and fatigue through our UFLEX software.

A technology driver
Nexans has a tradition of being a technology driver in the offshore umbilical industry. Nexans introduced the super-duplex steel tube umbilical to the market in 1993 with Statoil’s Statfjord and Sleipner projects. Nexans also introduced the dynamic super-duplex steel tube umbilical in 1995 with Shell US’s Mars project in the Gulf of Mexico. Nexans continues to be a trendsetter and has a strategic goal of staying technology-oriented.