TotalEnergies employs Strohm on first-of-its-kind subsea assignment in Brazilian pre-salt

Dutch thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) technology player Strohm has tucked a new deal for the supply of TCP flowlines under its belt with TotalEnergies EP Brasil, a subsidiary of France’s TotalEnergies, for an offshore field in the Santos Basin in the Brazilian pre-salt area.

While Strohm’s contract with TotalEnergies has been designated as the largest commercial award for pipe supply in the firm’s 16-year history, it is also said to mark the first time the Dutch player’s TCP solution has been selected for flowlines to be installed in ultra-deepwater. This deal follows the receipt of DNV qualification for the company’s deepwater TCP flowline, enabling it to become the first firm to receive such accreditation from the verification body.

Thomas Leize, Project Manager at TotalEnergies, remarked: “It will be the first project like this in the pre-salt and we have carefully selected this innovative technology for replacing the flexible lines in operation with a clear focus on design life, performance and carbon footprint. This technology is important because it represents a solution to a long-lasting corrosion problem, at a competitive cost, applicable for ultra deep water, in line with our commitment of reducing emissions from our operations.”

The installation operation is slated for 2026 at a water depth of 2,200 meters. Strohm claims its technology is immune to corrosion, including carbon dioxide-induced stress corrosion cracking (SCC-CO2). As a result, it is expected to provide the French giant with “a disruptive, long-term, and low-carbon footprint solution,” thanks to qualification for 30 years of design life.

Renato Bastos, Vice President of Brazil at Strohm, commented: “The award of this contract marks a major step change in the offshore industry and at Strohm we are immensely proud to be the first company to provide a TCP Flowline to TotalEnergies in Brazil for use in ultradeep water.

“Over the course of a year, a multidisciplinary team from TotalEnergies and Strohm, featuring employees from Brazil, France and the Netherlands, have worked hand-in-hand to make this cutting-edge, disruptive solution a reality. Together, we are writing a new chapter for subsea developments in Brazil – particularly in the pre-salt area – and I am humbled and thrilled to be part of it.”

With an inner diameter of 6 inches and a 600-bar design pressure, the TCP flowline, described as a corrosion-free and low-carbon solution for operators, will be used for gas injection in water depths of 2,200 meters. Since it is manufactured and shipped in long continuous lengths, this is expected to allow installation using a standard pipelay support (PLSV) vessel, like the ones currently operating in Brazil.

Martin van Onna, Strohm’s CEO, highlighted: “As the pioneer of TCP technology, we have experienced strong support from TotalEnergies since as early as 2009. Recently TotalEnergies installed a TCP jumper at the Egina field, and now we welcome this TCP flowline contract – the ‘definitive solution’ that the industry has been seeking.

“As a global first, a first in Brazil, and a first for resolving the SCC-CO2 corrosion issue, it is a breakthrough moment for the sector, one that further evidences our pioneering spirit.”

The deal with TotalEnergies comes months after Strohm picked up a TCP contract with ExxonMobil for an oil development off the coast of Guyana. Following a recent TCP hydrogen testing program, the firm outlined that TCP showed exceptionally low hydrogen permeation values, demonstrating technical suitability for high-pressure hydrogen service.