TMT and Sapura Energy Brazil completed a subsea clamp retrofit in Brazil across 27 November 2024 to 31 July 2025 that eliminated slippage risk and protected the vessel schedule.

The challenge: Stop slippage without recovering umbilicals

When Sapura Energy Brazil observed movement between subsea umbilicals and stud-bolted clamp collars, a conventional fix would have meant recovering to deck. That costs time and adds handling risk. The brief called for a retrofit clamp that an ROV could install subsea, precise, verifiable clamping force and future adjustability. TMT solved it.

What made this project exceptional?

• Three ROV-operable retrofit clamp mechanisms designed, qualified and installed during the July 2025 installation window with no slippage at design loads.
• ROV-operable leadscrew clamping mechanism with precise torque control via the TMT Electric Smart Torque Tool and an integrated Class 4 torque tool bucket.
• Subsea installation with no umbilical recovery to deck, supported by only limited seabed dredging to create a safe ROV manoeuvring envelope.
• Fabrication and testing transitioned to Brazil at the client’s request, with detailed drawings, function testing, continuity testing and clamping force qualification provided by TMT.
• Order scaled during build from two to three mechanisms and was accommodated without impact to the project schedule.

Technically excellent, from concept to operations

TMT designed an ROV-operable leadscrew clamp that retrofits to third-party collars and delivers controlled clamping force in situ. Tools matter, but field-ready detail matters more. 

The solution featured ROV-friendly guides and alignment aids, subsea-durable materials and coatings, and a torque interface that gives installers precise control and clear confirmation. From design through qualification, TMT worked concept to operations so nothing was left to chance.

Built where it needed to be, with the right support

While fabrication and testing were initially slated for Australia, SEB asked to relocate these activities to Brazil. TMT supplied detailed fabrication drawings and test specifications, including function tests, electrical continuity checks and clamping force qualification. Increased support from the Australian design team and a local TMT representative kept quality and schedule on track.

People-powered success

Behind every mechanism was a team focused on practical outcomes. Engineers collaborated closely with the local manufacturer and SEB’s installation team to ensure the design was fit for purpose. When scope expanded from two to three mechanisms, the team adapted quickly and kept the July installation window moving.

Navigating complexity with confidence

Brownfield constraints, tight windows and subsea access limitations are where experience counts. TMT’s approach combined deep domain knowledge, strong partner alignment and disciplined execution. The result was a retrofit that could be installed subsea with minimal seabed intervention and without diver involvement.

The result? A faster, safer path to clamp integrity

This project showed what is possible when practical engineering, tight collaboration and field-ready detail come together. It set a higher standard for retrofit reliability, schedule certainty and safe execution, and reinforced TMT’s role as a trusted partner for brownfield assets. In moments where technical certainty and operational care must align, TMT solves.

Feedback from Sapura Energy Brazil

“Through a strong collaborative team effort we achieved an excellent outcome, progressing from a blank state to a fully working solution. The design was developed in Australia by the TMT design team, incorporating valuable input from a local Brazil manufacturer and the Sapura installation team to ensure practicality and alignment with project requirements. Fabrication and testing were completed in Brazil with the dedicated support of the local TMT representative, and these were instrumental to the project’s success. This partnership highlights the strength of international cooperation and the value of combining expertise across regions and companies to deliver high-quality results.”