Bespoke Engineering

The Open Bore Shear (OBS)

Cost-effective without the compromise.

Open Bore Shear, both cut faces left open

The Blakemere Open Bore Shear (OBS) is suitable for both flexible and rigid pipelines, severing cleanly and leaving both cut faces open for immediate inspection. The OBS delivers a lower total cost, faster cycle time and the ability to inspect immediately compared to chop-saw equivalents.

Bespoke blade profile: Severs by shear force, minimal bore deformation.
Immediately ready for inspection and cleaning: Both cut faces remain open and accessible.
Clean severance process: No swarf or consumable waste produced during severance, protecting the surrounding environment.

OBS datasheet

Both ends of a flexible pipe test piece after a single cut by the open bore shear, side by side on a workbench, each bore open and round with its armour layers visible

Open Bore Retained Versus Crimped and Deformed

Flat shear: Crimps the bore closed at the cut, leaving it sealed, inaccessible and non-compliant when cleanliness must be verified.
Chop saw: Preserves geometry, but introduces significant delays and costs due to the time taken per cut.
Open Bore Shear: Both cut faces left open with minimal bore deformation, at a lower total cost and faster cycle time than a chop saw.

The end of a flexible flowline cut by the open bore shear, with the bore open and round — **Fig. 01**Test piece cut by the Blakemere OBS

The end of an identical flexible flowline cut by a standard shear, crushed flat into a lens shape with the bore closed — **Fig. 02**Identical test piece cut by standard shears

Common Questions About the Open Bore Shear

Why does it matter that the bore stays open?

A conventional shear crimps the pipe ends closed. The line then can't drain during recovery, can't be inspected or cleaned at the cut, and can't be re-entered. That's a problem whenever the line needs to be decontaminated or its cleanliness has to be verified before disposal or onshore handling. The Open Bore Shear leaves both cut faces open, so the line can be drained, inspected or re-entered straight away.

How does it compare with a chop saw?

Both leave the bore open. The Open Bore Shear severs by shear force in a single stroke, so each cut takes far less time, significantly reducing cost. It produces no swarf and uses no consumables such as blades or wire.

Does it work on rigid pipe as well as flexibles?

Yes. It cuts flexibles, thick-walled rigid pipe and thin-walled rigid pipe that's prone to collapse, keeping the bore open in each case.

Is the Open Bore Shear qualified?

We're happy to discuss its qualification status for a specific application.

Talk to Us About the Open Bore Shear

It is a recent development rather than a long-standing product, and we are happy to discuss qualification status for a specific application.

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