SwRI: Deep Ocean Pressure Simulation Testing for offshore and marine technologies

With more than 45 years of experience in offshore and marine technologies, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) offers a wide variety of services for deep ocean pressure simulation testing.


Pressure Simulation Clients

These pressure simulation services provide a final check of quality and operational integrity for clients including:

  • Oil producers

  • Manufacturers of subsea components

  • Pipeline manufacturers

  • U.S. Navy

Pressure Simulation Facilities

The SwRI Ocean Engineering and Structural Testing Laboratory has more than 10,500 square feet of climate-controlled laboratory space with additional outdoor test facilities. Deep ocean pressure simulation test chambers range from 90 inches inside diameter and 20 feet deep, to 10 inches inside diameter and 20,000 psig, which are used for:

  • Static testing

  • Cycle testing

  • Destruction testing

image of SwRI's main pressure laboratory that houses more than 10 deep ocean pressure simulation chambers   image of test chamber that is 20 feet deep with 90-inch inside diameter

The main pressure laboratory houses more than 10 deep ocean pressure simulation chambers.

  

This test chamber is 20 feet deep with 90-inch inside diameter.


Deep Ocean Pressure Simulation Test Chambers

Maximum
Pressure
(psi)

Simulated
Ocean Depth
(feet)

Maximum
I.D.
(inches)

Inside
Length
(inches)

Minimum
Temperature
(°F)

Maximum
Temperature
(°F)

Number
of
Penetrations

  3,300

  7,415

48

178

32

200

12

  4,000

  8,988

90

230

32

100

30

  6,000

13,483

50

288

32

100

  8

10,000

22,471

  6

  41

32

500

  2

10,000

22,471

30

114

32

200

10

10,000

22,471

  9

  46

32

600

  4

11,000

24,719

  8

  90

32

600

  2

20,000

44,943

10

  34

32

600

  6

20,000

44,943

12

120

32

400

  2

20,000

44,943

15

120

32

100

  4


Deep Ocean Pressure Simulation Testing Services

  • Engineering design verification

  • Product evaluation

  • Prototype construction

  • Design and fabrication of special test fixtures for client-specified requirements

 

image of subsea valve being placed in test chamber   image of large-diameter pipe casing following a collapse test

Subsea valve being placed in test chamber

  

Large-diameter pipe casing following a collapse test


Deep Ocean Pressure Simulation Testing

  • Internal and external hydrostatic pressure tests

  • Stress analysis and acceptance tests

  • Operational tests requiring electrical and hydraulic penetrations

  • Collapse and burst tests on:

    • API steel pipe casing

    • Fiberglass pipe

    • Titanium

    • Stainless steel pipe

  • Testing of:

    • Prototype equipment

    • Pressure housings

    • Subsea instrumentation

    • Cables

    • Connectors

    • Oilfield production

    • Safety equipment

image of subsea production assembly being prepared for test

Subsea production assembly being prepared for test


For more information about deep ocean pressure simulation testing capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Jesse I. Ramon at jramon@swri.org or (210) 522-2441.

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http://www.swri.org/4org/d18/struceng/marine/pressim/Default.htm?
Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.