Rio Oil & Gas is a world event that mobilises exhibitors and visitors from several countries. It is held in Rio de Janeiro in September of even years, while Rio Pipeline is held alternately in September of odd years.

Performing practical demonstrations parallel to these events provides exhibitors with the opportunity to efficiently exhibit the potential of their products and technologies to researchers and representatives of various companies.

During the 2010 Rio Oil & Gas event, participating companies including Tyco, Stopaq, Volvo, Liderroll and A.Hak gave short presentations in the auditorium to explain what they were about to demonstrate before launching into the demonstration itself at CTDUT’s full-scale facilities. The demonstrations were followed by discussion time, with the exhibiting company’s engineers answering questions on the technology.

Tyco Flow Control introduced its Biffi monitoring system and the ‘line break’ line lock. The company demonstrated the operation of a valve within a pipeline, simulated failures and solutions, and emphasised the importance of product safety performance.

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Stopaq introduced its anti-corrosion coating product line. The Stopaq product is a corrosion inhibitor which, once implemented, protects equipment – including valves, pipes, connections and tanks – against corrosive agents. Newly launched in the market, the self-healing product, adaptable to any surface, already has Petrobras as a client, applying the coating on risers.

Volvo demonstrated its sideboom equipment, the Volvo Pipelayer Model PL 4611, a versatile new product which was launched last year. It is designed for lifting heavy loads, has a charge distribution system and has the capacity to endure up to 110 tonne in hilly and sandy terrain.

Brazilian company Liderroll showcased its motorised roller system, which recently allowed a 5 km pipeline to be built within a 5 m tunnel without a single weld inside it, a recent example of the Gastau Pipeline project in São Paulo. The technology allows the pipeline, which is assembled externally, to roll into the tunnel without the risk of accidents while welding.

Closing the CTDUT Week, A.Hak promoted the worldwide launch of its Push & Pull tool and demonstrated its ultrasonic pig for non-piggable pipelines. This technology allows the inspection of pipelines ranging from 4–62 inches in diameter, using ultrasonic inspection ‘Piglet’ tools to transmit online data and identify critical points that can anticipate corrective actions. This inspection tool also features on-board storage and allows the run to be viewed online.

To execute A.Hak’s demonstration, it was necessary to replace one of the spools of CTDUT testing loop with a new one, specially designed with mitered bends, back-to-back 90 degree bends, and a bend radius of 1.5 D.

CTDUT – the Centro de Tecnologica em Dutos – is a private, non-profit institution dedicated to research and development in the pipeline sector. The new CTDUT Week initiative is part of its mission to contribute to the search for innovative, efficient and advanced-technology solutions, and to provide the technological support to assist oil and gas sector companies overcome problems which inhibit sector development.