Portable Hydraulic Control System for Emergency Tow Line Cutting at Subsea Expo 2024
Industry leading manufacturer of cutting and lifting tools, Webtool, is launching a compact, portable hydraulic control system for emergency tow line cutting in combination with a Webtool cutter at Subsea Expo, stand 41. The lightweight hydraulic control is a self-contained unit including an accumulator, control valves and hoses for connection to a Webtool cutter.
The hydraulic control system featured at Subsea Expo includes a 4-litre, 345bar hydraulic accumulator operated by two ball valves and designed to cut fibre lines up to 80mm. It is stored in and operated from an offshore approved roller storage crate that can be readily stored when not in use. Designed for single person operation, it also includes a pressure gauge for live system monitoring. Once connected to the Webtool cutter positioned on the tow line, the cutting system can be activated and the fibre line cut in seconds. There is a simple reset procedure ensuring the control system is prepared for its next deployment.
“The portable hydraulic control system for emergency cutting is a tried and tested system based on our work with the Canadian Coast Guard and offshore companies looking for a quick and decisive means of responding should a vessel get into difficulties and all other preventative measures have failed,” says Rory McGarry, engineering director, Allspeeds. “Its compact design allows easy storage when not in use, while the robust metal container is well suited to the rigours of offshore service.”
Webtool – Versatile Cutters Range
Also featured on stand 41 will be examples of the many Webtool cutting and lifting tools for ROV, diver, subsea installation, topside and deck applications. Specifically, it will include the WCOS38D and RCV75HD wire rope cutters, along with the HCV220 cable cutter featuring patented interlock technology.
The integrated interlock ensures that the blade cannot activate until the anvil is fully deployed, making it safer in low visibility environments. Once the cable or umbilical is positioned in the jaw and the anvil closed, the guillotine blade is activated. Unlike other cutting methods where there is a risk of the item flexing during cutting and either trapping or snapping the blade, closing the guillotine’s anvil locks the cable in position ensuring the cut is completed successfully, typically within a couple of minutes.
Subsea7 puts the Webtool HCV270 to the test
The Webtool HCV270 makes quick work of the umbilical cut
Subsea 7 Deployment
Recently Subsea 7 put the Webtool HCV270 cutter through its paces ahead of a new campaign later this year. The HCV270 is ideal for cutting cables, hydraulic lines, risers and umbilicals up to 270mm diameter. Once the anvil is engaged, the cutter makes quick work of mixed material bundles including steel tension members.
All Webtool cutters are designed and manufactured exclusively by Allspeeds Ltd in the UK.
