Expro with the first successful field installation of its Tronic subsea fibre optic connectors
International oilfield service company Expro is celebrating after the first successful installation of its Tronic subsea fibre optic connectors on an oil and gas development.
Expro’s Tronic subsea connectors have been installed for BP on a pump project to assist in increasing oil recovery in the King field in the Gulf of Mexico. Expro supplied Tronic fibre optic connectors for the subsea umbilical termination assemblies and control pods on the subsea pump stations, providing the industry’s most effective means of communicating in deepwater developments.
This follows five years of intensive product and technology development to allow the company to penetrate the fibre optic connector market.
Expro has been working on the BP King contract since November 2005, and installed the equipment in the summer of 2007. The connectors are now operational.
The installation has set a new world record by applying this multiphase pumping technology in deep water at 1,800m and an offset of 27km.
Production started in November 2007 and Expro now has further work on a field extension on King South.
The Tronic products scope of supply included the FoeTRON, DigiTRON and SpecTRON connectors. These products required a redesign to fit the specific needs of the customer, demonstrating Expro’s flexibility and determination to deliver to its clients’ requirements.
Mike Marklove, Tronic products business manager, said: “This contract has allowed Expro to become deepwater solution providers. This is a challenge that we relished. We have been working on this technology for five years and we now have the experience to provide fibre optic products to the market.”
Expro recently put in place a three-year programme of Excellence in Operations, focusing on safety, service quality and customer care, with the clear aim of being recognised as the industry leaders in delivering operational excellence to its customers.
