According to the company, the new lightweight CIT tool can be operated through a laptop by an experienced technician onboard a platform or a diving support vessel (DSV).
With the tool, operational safety and control over clamp installation operations can be greatly controlled, said the company.
The new CIT comes on the heels of the remote-controlled Subsea 1200RC tapping machine, which was launched by TDW in 2012 to provide a diverless solution to subsea hot tapping in depths of up to 3,000 meters (9,842ft).
As the critical part of the hot tapping process is the point at which the drill penetrates a live pipeline, TDW wanted to remove divers from the process to offer a remote-controlled diverless solution.
Subsea hot tapping is claimed to be necessary to facilitate tie-ins, pipeline repair, and flow assurance.
About 98% of subsea hot tap operations involve the use of a post-installed mechanical tee with elastomeric pressure sealing elements, while only 2% use hyperbaric-welded tees or pre-installed tees, due to the expense.
TDW has developed the CIT in an effort to provide pipeline operators with affordable solution to remotely install mechanical tees prior to the hot tap or as part of an integrated hot tap assembly.
CIT is a topside-driven tool with a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) interface and the installation package consists of four basic units including a control skid, ROV, clamp or fitting, and the installation tool.
