HIGH RELIABILITY POWER CABLES FOR SUBSEA APPLICATION

摘要

High reliability power cables for subsea application are provided. Example power cables provide enhanced resistance to partial discharge dielectric breakdown as well as resistance to explosive gas decompression, by eliminating micro-defects and voids at the interface between the insulation layer and the barrier layer during the cable manufacturing process. Lead metal, which is conventionally extruded as a primary barrier layer, is replaced in the example power cables by a gas-and-fluid-resistant thermoplastic that is co-extruded or tandem extruded with surface-modified insulation to promote bonding between the two layers. Elimination of lead metal in the example power cables also significantly reduces their overall weight. The improved resistance to partial discharge and resistance to rapid gas decompression translates to lower workover and lower cost of ownership.