Brinker Technology, the recent University of Aberdeen spin out company, pioneering its innovative Platelet Technology for sealing and locating leaks in pipelines has achieved its first successful, commercial implementation. Working closely with BP and Aker Kvaerner (BPs West of Shetland subsea engineering support team), Brinker successfully sealed a leak on a subsea water injection pipeline on BPs Foinaven field. The procedure from the start of the offshore operation to successful seal took less than 24 hrs.
Sandy Meldrum of BP in Aberdeen said, "This was a particularly difficult location to achieve a seal and we are delighted in the outcome. This allowed us to very quickly increase water injection from 141,000 to 154,000 bbl/day with an immediate affect on reservoir production. We had already identified Brinkers Platelet technology as capable of offering a completely new and innovative approach to pipeline sealing. We saw the potential for much greater flexibility and significant cost savings over traditional pipeline sealing technologies."
BP, along with a number of other key North Sea Operators, has been assisting the Company over the past 12 months to develop its Platelet Technology with a view to an offshore implementation. The outcome of this exercise on Foinaven was testimony to BPs faith and support of new and innovative technologies.
Brinker Technology is based in Aberdeen and has recently been awarded a Commendation for Innovative Technology at this years Offshore Achievements Awards and the Enterprise North East Trust/Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation .The original idea was developed by Dr. Ian McEwan, a Reader at Aberdeen University. Dr McEwan is now Brinker's Technical Director.
Today the company's Platelet Technology has not only the capability to seal a leak but also to identify the position of the leak.
The company is currently developing its Platelet Technology to provide location and sealing capability in lines of varying sizes ranging from 3/8diameter lines right up to large 48pipelines.
The outstanding success of Brinkers first offshore deployment is a milestone in the development of this exciting new technology and highlights its enormous potential to provide a completely new approach to a wide range of pipeline integrity issues.