Pipeline Anchors

BKW has developed and patented an engineered anchor system for pipeline buoyancy control that is safe, reliable, and cost efficient. Our anchoring system provides the reliability of concrete weights at the cost of auger anchors. BKW has anchors and installation tools available and can provide them as short as one day’s notice.

Our unique system provides the following:

Soil Survey- Full-size test anchors are installed to multiple soil depths in the area requiring buoyancy control and a pull test is applied to determine hold down. Data collected will determine the proper anchor to be used.

Anchors- Our typical anchor set consists of two on each side of the pipe and a strap over the pipe connected to the anchors. The anchor is made of 10-foot long 1.5” x 1.5” square rod with one or two flukes for hold down. The strap is 6” wide x .250” thick steel bar padded with 3/16” thick neoprene rubber to protect the pipe from damage. The entire anchor set is hot dipped galvanized.

Anchors

Installation Tool – BKW’s patented anchor installation tool attaches to a hydraulic backhoe in place of the bucket and is equipped with a 25,000-pound capacity load cell for reading pull tests on anchors.

Pull Test- Every anchor is pull tested following installation using the BKW anchor installation tool for guaranteed hold down performance.

Straps

Documentation- Location and pull test data on each anchor is recorded to provide the pipeline owner with a permanent record.

Technician- If requested, BKW will provide a technician onsite to initiate the anchor installation and get the crew familiar with the proper installation technique and testing of the anchors.

Cost Savings using Auger Anchors

The cost of installing auger anchors and concrete weights or sacks is approximately the same. However, the anchor spacing is significantly different. On a 36-inch pipeline, the anchor spacing is around 50 feet and the spacing for 9,000-pound set-on weights is only 10 feet. This means one anchor set will replace 5 concrete weights, reducing the cost of buoyancy control.

Assuming the cost to install each is $1,000 then the cost of weights on 10-foot center-to-center is approximately $100 per foot and the cost for auger anchors based on a 50-foot spacing is $20 per foot. On a pipeline requiring 10,000 feet of hold down, the use of auger anchors is a considerable savings of $800,000.

Customized Anchor System

BKW’s anchor system is customized to fit the needs of the Client. This includes conceptual design and fabrication. BKW will engineer the project to determine hold down and anchor spacing and will work with the pipeline Contractor to provide direct communication.

We provide several design options including offshore, onshore, swamp or rocky areas. For offshore anchor installation, the installation tool is mounted on a skid. The skid-mounted tool is lowered onto the submerged pipeline and operated by divers and applies a pull test on each anchor.

Skid mounted installation tool.

Pictures show difference in spacing between concrete weights and the BKW anchors

Reliability of using the BKW Anchor system

BKW has been furnishing anchors for pipeline buoyancy control for over 40 years and there has never been a failure. This is because of sound engineering and verification of hold down for each anchor installed. This combination has benefited the pipeline industry by reducing pipeline installation costs.