Amarinth delivers titanium alloy pumps to ADMA-OPCO offshore platform

Centrifugal pumps manufacturer Amarinth has delivered four sodium hypochlorite dosing pumps manufactured in titanium alloy to Abu Dhabi Marine Operatin Co. (ADMA-OPCO) for use on the Umm Lulu Development Project.

The Umm Lulu field is located offshore in the Arabian Gulf 30km north-west of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

It is being developed as part of a strategic initiative to pump 1.75 million barrels of crude a day by 2017, increasing Abu Dhabi's total crude oil production to 3.5 million barrels a day.

Amarinth was approached by Cumberland to tender for the pumps on a 24-week delivery for the Umm Lulu platform.

Sodium hypochlorite is highly corrosive and traditional super-duplex materials cannot be used to transfer the chemical.

Cumberland had considered using plastic components on the pumps but ruled the option out due to known reliability issues and failure rates.

Amarinth was the only pump manufacturer approached by Cumberland that would tender for the Umm Lulu project, the company says.

To minimise corrosion from the sodium hypochlorite, Amarinth proposed using titanium alloy for all wetted parts, including the casing, impeller, and shaft.

ADMA-OPCO also recognised Amarinth’s earlier success in delivering against high-specification requirements, all of which helped Amarinth to secure the contract.

Amarinth sourced the titanium required through its supply chain and worked closely with its foundry in Sheffield, UK, casting the components.

Titanium is difficult to cast and the process has to be carefully controlled using the latest technologies.

The four titanium pumps have now been successfully manufactured and assembled and will be commissioned on the offshore Umm Lulu platform during the first half of 2016.