In April 2007, Hitaveita Suðurnesja HF awarded National Oilwell Varco Denmark the supply of a 12,566 m 8” ID flexible flowline for transportation of drinking water to the Vestmanna Islands which are some 12 km south of Iceland.

The system consists of water wells and pumping stations at the south coast of Iceland, two offshore pipelines (4”ID and 7”ID) from the south coast to Vestmannaeyar and a pumping station, storage tank and distribution network in Vestmannaeyar.

The existing pipelines from the 1960’s are designed, manufactured and installed by Flexibles. The 4”ID line from 1968 between the mainland of Iceland and the Vestmanna Island is the first commercial flexible pipeline in the world. The 4” ID static flexible pipe totalling 13,850 m was designed for a pressure rating of 70 bars.

Flexibles again arrived at Vestmanna in July 2008 - with the same vessel as in 1968 - this time bringing 12,566 m additional flexible pipe. Even though the original 4”ID line is still fully functional and in operation, it is no longer sufficient to cover today’s demand for fresh water.

In exactly the same week as in July 1968, but 40 years later, the new 8”ID line between Iceland and Vestmanna was handed over to Hitaveita Suðurnesja.