DSM Dyneema - Lightweight Offshore Ropes

DSM Dyneema, the maker of Dyneema®, the world's strongest fibre, now has a new grade of the product that looks to replace heavy steel-wire rope in even more offshore applications. Dyneema® XBO does the same job as offshore steel rope but is only one-seventh of the weight.

Marine fibre ropes

Dyneema® has more than 20 years of proven success in demanding marine applications and has been used by a long roster of global energy companies in offshore and seismic applications. The introduction of the Dyneema® XBO fibre offers a significant increase in service life for ropes under extreme bending conditions. Like all Dyneema® fibres, Dyneema® XBO is virtually impervious to salt water and UV rays.

Offshore fibre ropes

The introduction of Dyneema® XBO is helping to give offshore operators new ropes that outperform traditional materials like steel-wire rope in extreme environments where dynamic loads test the limits of performance and bendable flexibility, such as heave-compensation systems.

By reducing the weight of deep-water installation lines, users benefit from greater crane capacity and reduction in power-consumption (for example in winches). Furthermore, ropes with Dyneema® XBO can be made physically smaller than equivalent-strength steel ropes, so smaller winches can be used, conserving precious deck space.

Lightweight offshore ropes

As the world's demand for energy intensifies, and exploration, drilling, pipe laying and extraction move farther offshore and into deeper, more challenging environments, it is crucial to have lines and ropes that not only can withstand additional stresses but are also easy to transport and manoeuvre.

For scenarios such as ultra-deep moorings, lines made from conventional steel wire and other synthetics are too heavy or bulky and difficult to handle. For example, a 2,000m coil of 50mm steel-wire rope weighs approximately 23t. A rope of equivalent capacity made with Dyneema® XBO weighs just 3.2t.

Cost-efficient marine fibre ropes

The resultant savings in fuel and transport costs are significant. In the water, the benefits are even greater, as ropes made with Dyneema® XBO are weightless, allowing operators to use the full capacity of their equipment to lift loads, instead of lifting heavy wire. For moorings down to 10,000ft, reduced diameter means three times more rope can be rolled on to reels, saving trips.

Lighter, thinner ropes and lines also enable fast and easy handling: installation for pre-set MODU mooring systems with lines made with Dyneema® XBO is up to 40% faster than with polyester ropes. Other cost-saving benefits that add up to a fast one to three-year payback for the ropes include reduced operational costs, use of smaller buoys and handling vessels, and ease of handling by divers.

Development of marine ropes

DSM Dyneema values its cooperation and partnerships with leading rope manufacturers and continuously works towards improvements and application developments for the marine industry, including offshore, fishing, aquaculture, lifting, salvage, mooring and towing. To support this endeavour the company has its own well-equipped testing facilities and is constantly collaborating with institutes, customers and end users.