Cable reduces platform weight in oil and gas fields
Providing the offshore industry with a safe way to reduce platform weight, Huber+Suhner claims to revolutionise offshore connectivity with a light, compact cable.
The fire-resistant Radox OFL (Oil & Gas Flexible Lightweight) cable is lightweight and compact to reduce weight and space by up to 60 per cent when compared to other cables on the market, said Huber+ Suhner. The cable’s small bend radius and thin wall – which is half the size of standard cables – reduces stripping time by 60 per cent to make installation easier and quicker. According to the company, this could potentially save industrial and offshore facilities hundreds of thousands of dollars by overcoming space and weight restrictions in structural design.
The Radox OFL cable is fire-resistant and low smoke halogen-free (LSFH) for use in harsh outdoor environments and offshore industrial applications. Core cables do not melt or drip in the event of a short circuit, which minimises emergency repairs and the potential for hazardous fume inhalation. The Radox OFL cable is also oil, mud and hydraulic oil-resistant according to the highest standard NEK606 Cat. a-d, added Huber+Suhner.
The Radox OFL cable offers a 120 degrees C sheath and 145 degrees C core temperature threshold, producing an expected lifetime which is eight times longer than standard 90 degrees C offshore cables. The polymers in the insulation of the wires and in the cable sheath are cross-linked using electron beams. This provides the cables with extreme resistance to mechanical, chemical, temperature and weather influences, claims Huber+Suhner.
As a result of the Radox OFL cable’s smaller 3D diameter, smaller cable accessories such as connectors and trays can also be used, further reducing space, weight and cost. The cable can be used for monitoring and control, as well as sensor applications on offshore platforms.
According to the company, the Radox OFL cables, unlike conventional rubber cables, will show no sign of any brittle breakage even after 10 to 12 years.
