APL’s Revolutionary Swivel Technology Gets Thumbs-Up from DNV

The APL group within NOV has recently achieved the Technology Qualification Program (TQP) certification from DNV for its cutting-edge swivel technology. The swivel TQP, developed by APL, has been widely praised for its transformative impact on fluid swivels utilized in oil, gas, e-fuels, and CO2 transfer applications.

This prestigious certification is a response to the increasing demand for larger and more durable swivel designs capable of withstanding higher pressures and temperatures. These larger swivel stacks serve as critical components in floating production vessels, facilitating the connection of the processing system on the weathervaning vessel with the subsea installation. Sigmund Larsen, Manager Swivel Systems at APL, emphasized the significance of the swivel stack in the oil and gas industry, highlighting that the production flow through the swivel is indispensable for the customer’s cash flow, particularly in harsh weather conditions.

The certification process for the swivel TQP was a collaborative effort with DNV, involving a comprehensive analysis of critical parameters and an extensive long-term testing program. Full-scale test swivel units were utilized to ensure that the testing accurately mirrored actual project conditions. One of the largest gas FPSOs ever constructed underwent a full-scale TQP, including months of dynamic testing to verify the technology’s suitability. The TQP certification has also qualified the swivel technology for a planned FPSO in the sub-arctic region, necessitating a production swivel solution for up to 560 bar and 120°C (248°F), with a record number of large flow paths and flow capacity.

Prior to this milestone, APL had previously qualified its utility swivel for small bore lines for pressures up to 1,380 bar. Larsen expressed the company’s satisfaction, affirming that they had effectively demonstrated the swivel technology’s suitability for even the most demanding future FPSO projects.

APL’s swivels have garnered acclaim for providing a validated, reliable, and user-friendly solution that mitigates project risk and enhances safety across diverse applications. Furthermore, they can be seamlessly integrated as part of the turret delivery, minimizing external interfaces and remaining within the NOV scope of work. The compact design of the APL swivel stack also integrates seamlessly with the Submerged Turret Production (STP™) design.

APL’s STP and Submerged Turret Loading (STL™) technologies have consistently demonstrated exceptional, flexible, and cost-effective mooring systems for shuttle tankers, storage vessels, and production vessels. Over the past 30 years, APL has successfully completed more than 23 STP and 21 STL projects, establishing their expertise and experience in this field.