Synthetic ETOP - Samson Rope

Vulcan: Synthetic ETOPDanielle StenversITOSF – Houston – February 22, 2011

Synthetic ETOP Development• Current Systems• Technology Development> Fiber> Coating> Testing• Strength and Weight Specifications

Why Synthetic ETOP?• Numerous injuries to workers deploying pendants:> Strain injuries> Pinching and impact injuries> Repetitive stress injuries due to repeated handling• OCIMF and ISGOTT requirements for synthetics:> “Adequate fire resistance”> “Similar functionality to wire”> Requirements are not defined with respect to HEAT orFLAME performance (for synthetics or wires)

Synthetic ETOP: Targets• Reduce weight by half or more• Heat Performance:> Equal strength as wire after 30 min at 20% load at 300ºC• Flame Performance:> Equal strength as wire after 10-sec exposure to 600°C flame

Synthetic ETOP Development• Current Systems• Technology Development> Fiber> Coating> Testing• Strength and Weight Specifications

Fiber Selection: Aramids• Properties of Technora Fibers:> High strength at elevated temperatures> Good heat cycling properties> Good abrasion properties> Good chemical resistance> Not effected by hydrolysis> Low Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI ) = good flame retardant• Other Desired Properties:> Good performance when exposed to open flame• No specific requirement by OCIMF• Multiple fibers were tested for exposure to open flame

FR Enhancement: Coating• FR Coating> Water based latex> High solids> High flexibility, exceeds 20% elongation at –24°C> No solvent, low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)> Flame retardant> Heat resistance and thermal barrier• Provides protection allowing the rope to withstand directflames considerably longer> Delayed rope failure from 12 min to 65 min(small diameter ropes in open flame exposure)

Fiber Selection: Further EnhancedExposure to 750°C flame:How long before the rope fails?FR Coated Dyneema (30 sec)FR Coated Technora (65 min)

Effect of Heat on Different Fiber TypesExposure to 750°C flame:How long before the rope fails?Fiber Type Uncoated FR CoatedTechnora 12 min 65 minPolyester

Synthetic ETOP Development• Current Systems• Technology Development> Fiber> Coating> Testing• Strength and Weight Specifications

Testing StandardsSamson-Developed Test Method:• Heat Test:> 300°C oven temperature> 30-min exposure while loaded to 20% of break strength> Break while still at 300°C• Flame Test:> 600°C Flame> 10-sec exposure> Break at room temperature

Specialized Equipment: Heat Testing• 300°C oven temperature• 30-minute exposure while loaded to 20% of break strength• Break while still at 300°C

Heat Testing: Wire vs. VulcanRetained Strength: 30 min, 20%Load, 300°C100%90%% of New Rope Strength80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%WIREVulcan1" dia ropes

Heat Testing: Effect of DiameterRetained Strength: 30 min, 20%Load, 300°C100%90%% of New Rope Strength80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%1 1 1/2 2 2 1/2Dia (in)

Specialized Equipment: Flame Testing• 600°C flame temperature• 10-second exposure• Break (at room temperature)

Flame Testing: No Strength LossRetained Strength after 30 sec Flame (600°C)100%95%90%% of New Rope Strength85%80%75%70%65%60%55%50%WireVulcan1" dia ropes

Vulcan: SpecificationsNew Rope StrengthVessel Size(DWT)MBSRequirementWire Dia Vulcan Dia WeightSavings overWire

Conclusions• Synthetic ETOP:> Requires larger size to achieve same strength as wire> Larger diameter is only 1/3 the wire weight> Heat damage is delayed through protective FR coatings andinsulating covers• Heat Performance: 300°C – 30 min – 20% Load> Wire: 5–10% strength loss> Synthetic: 20–45% strength loss• Flame Performance: 600°C – 10 sec> Wire: 0 strength loss> Synthetic: 0 strength loss

Product Currently In-Use• Conoco Philips• OSG Polar Tankers• Algoma Tankers

Patented TechnologyHigh-Temperature Resistant Rope Systems and Methods• US 7,168,231 January 2007• US 7,437,869 October 2008• US 7,743,596 June 2010

Questions?