Subsea Distribution Units (SDUs & UTAs)
Hydraulic, Electrical & Chemical Distribution Structures
The function of the SDU or UTA is to distribute hydraulic and electrical power, as well as chemical supplies and signal connections, to other subsea structures comprising the production system. MSCM offer a full design, manufacture and test package for SDUs and UTAs to individual specific requirements.
Subsea distribution units and umbilical termination assemblies sit at the heart of a subsea production system, routing hydraulic and electrical power, chemical supplies and signal connections from the umbilical out to the trees, manifolds and controls that consume them. Because every field architecture differs, MSCM builds each SDU and UTA to the project’s specific requirements rather than adapting a catalogue design.
The scope covers the complete structure: design and fabrication of the box structure and mudmat with coating and cathodic protection, population with MQC plates, block & bleed valve assemblies, mono couplings and electrical/signal connectors, and the routing, CNC tube bending and welding of all internal pipework — all performed in-house alongside the couplings and stabplates MSCM manufactures.
Before despatch every assembly is load tested, pressure tested and flushed, with full NDT including dimensional verification, visual inspection, PMI, weld radiography and dye penetrant testing. Long-term protective covers (LTPCs) can be supplied for any interface, and manufacturing record books document full material traceability.
Key Features
- Design and fabrication of box structure and mudmat, including coating and cathodic protection
- Manufacture and installation of MQC plates, block & bleed valves and mono couplings
- Electrical / signal connectors and long-term protective covers (LTPCs)
- Routing, tube bending and welding of internal pipework
- Load testing of the full assembly
- Pressure test, flushing and full NDT
Materials
Applications
- Distribution of hydraulic and electrical power, chemical supplies and signal connections across a subsea production system.
- Umbilical termination assemblies (UTAs) terminating and distributing umbilical services to subsea consumers.
- Project-specific distribution structures populated with MQC plates, valves, couplings and connectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an SDU and a UTA?
Both are subsea distribution structures. A UTA (umbilical termination assembly) terminates the umbilical and distributes its hydraulic, electrical, chemical and signal services; an SDU (subsea distribution unit) distributes those services onward to other structures in the production system. MSCM designs and builds both to project-specific requirements.
What does MSCM's scope of supply include?
A complete package — design and fabrication of the box structure and mudmat (including coating and cathodic protection), manufacture and installation of MQC plates, block & bleed valves, mono couplings and electrical/signal connectors, internal pipework routing and welding, plus long-term protective covers where required.
How is a completed unit verified before despatch?
Each assembly is load tested, pressure tested and flushed, and subjected to full NDT — dimensional verification, visual inspection, PMI, weld radiography and dye penetrant testing — with manufacturing record books supplied as standard.