AMETEK Subsea Interconnect has expanded its portfolio of high-pressure, (HP) glass-to-metal sealed feedthrus with the addition of its Subsea Series of glass-to-metal sealed penetrators. The single- and multi-channel penetrators are designed to operate reliably in the extreme environments typically found in subsea oil and gas applications.
The Subsea Penetrator Series has been functionally tested to 450 bar at 70oC, while maintaining better than 20 Gigaohms of insulation resistance. Tests on the penetrators were generally performed in accordance with ISO 13628-6, Statoil TR2390 and Total GS EP SPS 021 standards. In addition, all elastomeric components are available in conformance with NORSOK M-710 standards.
The Subsea Penetrator Series is an addition to AMETEK’s growing range of high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) feedthrus and wet-mate and dry-mate subsea connectors used to communicate electrical signals from downhole pressure and temperature sensors in subsea oil and gas environments.
The Series features compression type glass-to-metal seals for each conductive path utilizing proprietary L21 glass developed by AMETEK’s Hermetic Seal Corporation specifically for demanding HPHT applications. This unique sealing method results in a high-pressure barrier with the excellent electrical isolation properties demanded by extreme subsea applications.
How They Work
The new Subsea Penetrator Series incorporates critical features that are needed to protect electrical conductors from the external seawater environment, while ensuring the highest level of reliability under long-term installation at extreme pressures and temperatures. As illustrated below, the main metallic body (typically Inconel) has the electrical conductor fixed in place with the glass-to-metal seals providing the main pressure barrier and electrical isolation for the feedthrough.
The individually insulated wires are terminated to the main penetrator conductor via a solder cup or push-on contact. Insulating sleeves and boot seals are installed over the wire termination to ensure a water-tight seal at deep sea pressures and to provide a secondary electrical barrier to seawater, even in the event of total loss of insulating oil. Dual radial o-rings and an optional metal seal provide reliable interface solutions when incorporated with host equipment, such as subsea sensors, subsea umbilical termination assemblies (SUTAs) or subsea electronic modules (SEMs).