Baker Hughes and Strohm Partner on Hybrid Flexible Pipe for Ultradeepwater Flowline and Riser Applications

Baker Hughes and thermoplastic composite pipe manufacturer Strohm have signed an agreement to jointly develop a hybrid flexible pipe for ultradeepwater flowline and riser applications, targeting offshore projects in water depths exceeding 3,000 metres. The new product is expected to be around 50% lighter than conventional flexible pipe systems, reducing suspended weight by around 40% in ultradeepwater applications, with commercial availability expected from 2028.

 

Strategic Rationale Behind the Collaboration

 

The collaboration responds to a structural challenge in ultradeepwater field development, where conventional flexible pipe systems become progressively heavier and more difficult to install as water depths increase. As operators continue to push offshore developments into deeper basins, the limitations of existing flowline and riser technologies have become a meaningful constraint on project economics. Reducing the suspended weight of pipe systems lowers the load on installation vessels, expands the range of vessels that can perform installation work, and reduces the structural demands on platforms and other floating production systems. By combining the technical capabilities of two established providers, the joint development is designed to deliver a product that addresses these constraints while building on proven engineering foundations.

 

Technical Configuration of the Hybrid Flexible Pipe

 

The hybrid flexible pipe combines thermoplastic composite pipe technology with conventional flexible pipe systems. In the new design, the standard carcass, liner, and pressure armour layers are replaced with TCP, while tension armour, outer coating, and end fittings are retained from the conventional architecture. This configuration is significant because it preserves the established components of flexible pipe systems that operators are familiar with while introducing the weight, corrosion resistance, and emissions advantages of thermoplastic composite construction in the layers most affected by depth and operating conditions. The hybrid approach also allows the product to leverage existing field experience and installation methodologies, reducing the qualification and adoption barriers that often delay the commercialisation of fully novel pipe technologies.

 

Weight Reduction and Installation Implications

 

The expected weight reduction has direct operational and economic consequences for ultradeepwater developments. A pipe system that is around 50% lighter than conventional flexible pipe and that delivers approximately 40% lower suspended weight in ultradeepwater conditions broadens the population of vessels that can perform installation work. Installation vessel availability is one of the most significant constraints in deepwater project execution, with day rates for the most capable units reaching very high levels in tight market conditions. By enabling the use of a wider vessel pool, the hybrid pipe reduces both the cost and the schedule risk associated with installation, while also lowering the structural loads imposed on host platforms or floating production units to which the pipe systems are connected.

 

Strohm Technology and Track Record

 

Strohm has positioned its thermoplastic composite pipe as a corrosion-resistant, low-carbon, and robust solution with an extensive operational track record and zero failures on any product currently in service. Corrosion resistance is particularly valuable in subsea environments, where the longevity and integrity of pipework is closely linked to the lifecycle economics of producing fields. The low-carbon characterisation reflects the lower embedded emissions associated with thermoplastic composite construction relative to traditional steel-based pipe systems. Strohm chief executive Martin van Onna has framed the development as driven by an end-user perspective, with emphasis on installability, in-place flexibility, and design predictability, leveraging the existing relationship between Strohm and Baker Hughes to bring the product to market in a fast-tracked timeline.

 

Baker Hughes Flexible Pipe Position

 

Baker Hughes brings a long-established position in flexible pipe systems, with installations supporting subsea production in some of the most demanding offshore environments globally. Daniel Wright, Global Business Leader for Flexible Pipe Systems at Baker Hughes, has framed the collaboration with Strohm as built on a shared focus on innovation and excellence, aimed at expanding what is technically feasible in the offshore energy sector. The combination of Baker Hughes's flexible pipe heritage with Strohm's TCP technology is intended to give operators access to a product that combines established engineering credentials with next-generation material performance, an approach that aligns with the typical risk appetite of operators planning ultradeepwater developments.

 

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Development Timeline and Qualification Path

 

The hybrid flexible pipe is currently under development, with qualification pipes being manufactured for testing. Commercial availability is expected from 2028, providing the development team with a defined window in which to complete qualification, validate the product against operational requirements, and prepare for production. Qualification of new pipe technologies for offshore service is a structured and rigorous process, involving prototype manufacturing, mechanical and environmental testing, and review by industry bodies and operator engineering teams. The 2028 timeline reflects the time required to complete this process while leveraging the existing qualification base associated with both TCP and conventional flexible pipe components.

 

Implications for Ultradeepwater Field Development

 

The product targets a defined market segment that is both technically demanding and economically sensitive. Ultradeepwater developments in water depths exceeding 3,000 metres are typically associated with high capital expenditure, long lead times, and complex execution challenges. Innovations that reduce installation cost, expand the available vessel pool, and lower the lifecycle risk of subsea infrastructure have direct positive implications for the economics of these projects. Regions where the new pipe is likely to find early application include parts of the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Brazil, West Africa, and emerging deepwater plays in the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia-Pacific.

 

Position Within Subsea Technology Trends

 

The collaboration reflects a wider trend in subsea technology toward composite materials, weight reduction, and systems engineering approaches that combine multiple technologies into integrated solutions. Thermoplastic composite pipes have been gaining adoption in offshore applications over the past decade, supported by their corrosion resistance, low weight, and reduced lifecycle emissions. The hybrid configuration developed by Baker Hughes and Strohm is one of the more visible examples of how composite materials are being integrated into mainstream offshore architectures, rather than confined to standalone applications. Successful commercialisation of the product would strengthen the broader case for composite-based subsea solutions across the industry.

 

Outlook for Industry Adoption

 

Industry adoption of new subsea technologies depends on a combination of operator confidence, project-specific economics, and the availability of compatible installation infrastructure. The hybrid flexible pipe is being positioned to meet all three criteria, with established names backing the development, clear cost and operational advantages over conventional alternatives, and a design intended to integrate with existing installation methodologies. As global offshore activity continues to extend into deeper waters, demand for installation-friendly, lower-weight, and corrosion-resistant flowline and riser solutions is likely to grow. The Baker Hughes and Strohm collaboration provides operators with a credible new option in this space and is likely to influence how future ultradeepwater field architectures are conceived, particularly where the existing technology envelope has begun to limit project feasibility.