Conductor installation

Customers number one choice

IQIP has been involved in driving piles for conductors on- and offshore since the early 1970s, with the invention of our Hydrohammer. Ever since, our IQIP Hydrohammer is the number one choice for conductor installation. Safety, reliability, and power are essential in these projects, and that is what IQIP has proven to deliver. 

Conductor piling happens on- and offshore in challenging conditions, IQIP built a great track-record covering projects in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, USA and the Middle East.

Hammer sizes and abilities that fit the job

Our hammer range of S-90, S-150 and S-200 are most commonly used for conductor piling. The power and reliability of the Hydrohammer are heavily tested. Driving piles over 125m subsea and a further over 155m below the mudline to reach target depths. The slim design of the Hydrohammer is ideal for tight spaces, which favours them over competitors. Due to the anvil design, sleeves can be adjusted to suit any casing diameter. Tailor-made modifications such as double pad-eye for ease of lifting in the drill rig are available. For onshore use, the relatively low weight and efficiency make it the preferred option. 

Next to that, clients value the Hydrohammer's ability to drive conductors with pinpoint accuracy, and always reaching its target depth. The longest conductor driven measured up to 125 meters from the rig floor to the conductor's toe. 

In case of subsea installation of conductors, IQIP is able to provide a FastFrame for pre-piling of conductors. This has a significant benefit to an end client as it allows for driving operations to be carried out on a smaller installation vessel. This lowers offshore vessel day rates, as a drilling rig would be chartered for fewer days to develop a new oil or gas field. To read more about pre-conductor driving operations, click on this link.

Alternative installation methods such as pile toe driving have been performed for the Peon project. Via the pile toe driving method, the energy is transferred to the soil where soil resistance is the highest.

C-36, control unit for optimal piling procedure and reporting to clients

Our Hydrohammer is equipped with sensors and controls, which allow for close manipulation of impact energy and impact frequency. This ensures maximal penetration of the conductor while reducing the risk of damaging the conductor. The hammer will stop in the event of conductor free fall. With an open circuit hydraulic system, the hammer will shut down automatically when the power is shut down from the control unit.

The new C-36 control units offer even more precise and automated control. The new system enables to yield the energy impact from minimal to maximal kNm. With our unique and optimised access to reporting via the connected MIQIP portal, after the installation, a thorough pile driving report is available. And can easily be shared with the client digitally. The report will contain all relevant parameters of the process and conductor.

To fully understand the soil conditions and manage the pile driving and penetration of the conductor, IQIP can advise on the drivability study to mitigate risk and optimize the conductor driving procedure. By doing so, we can work together to install the conductors safely, in the quickest, most effective way possible and make your project successful.