"Deep Tap Technology"
HydroTap™ Hot-Tap tie-ins can be accomplished in depths beyond 1,000 ft using a new diverless system called Deep Tap. A 12-inch by 12-inch ANSI 900 diverless hot-tap system is currently being manufactured for installation in 2001 in the Gulf of Mexico. Deep Tap is a service provided by an alliance of companies, each providing its specific expertise: Oil States HydroTech™, Williams, Oceaneering, and T. D. Williamson. Oil States HydroTech™ supplies the HydroTech™ Hot-Tap clamp.

The Diverless HydroTap™ Hot-Tap Clamp
The Diverless HydroTap™ Hot-Tap Clamp is an ROV-operable, full-structural, split-sleeve clamp with a branch nozzle on one of the clamp halves. A block valve is welded to the branch nozzle, to provide pressure control after hot-tapping, and a collet connector hub is welded to the ball valve, to facilitate the branch line connection after the hot tap is completed.

The Diverless HydroTap™ Hot-Tap Clamp incorporates collet-style gripping segments that are engaged by internal hydraulic actuators, which draw a grip flange inward to compress the collets against the pipe. A patented ratcheting system mechanically locks the grip flange to maintain proper load. The collets are self-energized by any further motion between the pipe and the gripping segments.

Elastomeric circumferential and longitudinal seals are also energized by internal hydraulic actuators, which draw in a packing flange ring in to compress the seals. Again, a patented ratcheting system mechanically locks the packing flange in position to maintain proper compression; once the seals are set, they do not rely on hydraulics for permanent loading.

HydroTap™ Hot-Tap Clamp

HydroTap™ Hot-Tap Clamp Assembly