Umbilicals and control lines cannot be flushed by the conventional methods offered by IKM Ocean Team for pipes, tubes, etc. The inside diameter of umbilicals and control lines can be as little as 4 mm (0.16”). Combined with a length of say 6500 m (21.325’), the total pressure drop when using turbulent oil flow cannot be equalised using conventional equipment.

The problem can be solved by changing the flushing fluid, thereby obtaining a more favourable viscosity and/or density, depending on the job. By halving the viscosity, for example, pressure drop is reduced by a factor 4(!). Although adjusting the viscosity and/or density may sound easy, the flushing fluid must be capable of carrying the impurities out of the umbilical while flushing. Using the right fluid at the right temperature and pressure is essential for achieving “Total Purity”.

IKM Ocean Team has developed a patented method to clean systems consisting of pipes with small inner diameters (below a quarter inch) and huge lengths (more than 6,500 metres). The Solution is Supercritical CO2