Alcoa acquires Noble’s IP for welded aluminium risers

ALCOA will acquire Noble’s intellectual property for welded aluminium risers used in offshore oil and gas exploration and development. Noble designs and deploys welded aluminium riser systems using Alcoa’s advanced extrusions and forgings. According to Alcoa, its acquisition of this technology and expertise will allow it to partner with manufacturers in the oil and gas industry to develop lightweight welded aluminium risers for deepwater applications. Alcoa says its aluminium risers have several advantages. Offshore drilling contractors using either retrofits or new build vessels can explore in deeper depths of 20% or more versus conventional steel risers. Aluminium risers also enable a lower cost, shallow water ship to drill at a greater depth. Welded aluminium risers weigh nearly 40% less than steel risers and require up to 40% less buoyancy material for similar depths. They are also easier and less expensive to transport, store and deploy. In addition to the welded aluminum risers, Alcoa is also developing aluminum solutions capable of reducing the weight of a conventional drill ship, platform or other structure. source:www.metalworker.com.au