Flexible Spools Solution for Hybrid Risers Base for Green Fields Developments

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Tarbadar ◽  
S. Legeay ◽  
M. Bonnissel ◽  
O. Nossa ◽  
A. Karnikian
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Oil Fields ◽  
Direct Connection ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Vortex Induced Vibration ◽  
Single Top ◽  
Dynamic Loadings ◽  
Operating Constraints ◽  
Steep Wave

Rigid spools are commonly used at the riser base of hybrid riser systems such as STTRs (Single Top Tensioned Risers) or BHORs (Bundle Hybrid Offset Risers) for the deep water oil fields. Rigid spools design is critical and governed by numerous operating constraints such as dynamic loadings (due to motion of the vertical riser, Vortex Induced Vibration, slugging, etc.), soil properties and soil/spools/structures interaction. Recent surveys on existing brown fields have highlighted unexpected issues on existing rigid spools. To solve these issues, an innovative flexible spool solution has been developed, combining unbonded flexible pipe structures in a “steep wave” configuration to accommodate the riser motions and FLET (Flowline End Termination) excursions avoiding soil deterioration and preventing unexpected spool behavior which could ultimately jeopardize its integrity. A steep wave configuration solution can be introduced with distributed buoyancy over the flexible spools length. This design allows a direct connection between the riser base assembly and the flowline termination, solving the embedment issue and easing accommodation of the hybrid riser motions. This paper describes the recent issues with rigid spools design and describes the solutions developed with flexible spool configurations to provide a more reliable riser base spools system for green fields.

Optimization Applied to Buzios Flexible Riser Systems and Subsea Layout

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinicius Gasparetto ◽  
Thierry Hernalsteens ◽  
Joao Francisco Fleck Heck Britto ◽  
Joab Flavio Araujo Leao ◽  
Thiago Duarte Fonseca Dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Capital Expenditure ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Flexible Riser ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Injection Wells ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Field Development

Abstract Buzios is a super-giant ultra-deep-water pre-salt oil and gas field located in the Santos Basin off Brazil's Southeastern coast. There are four production systems already installed in the field. Designed to use flexible pipes to tie back the production and injection wells to the FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading), these systems have taken advantage from several lessons learned in the previous projects installed by Petrobras in Santos Basin pre-salt areas since 2010. This knowledge, combined with advances in flexible pipe technology, use of long-term contracts and early engagement with suppliers, made it possible to optimize the field development, minimizing the risks and reducing the capital expenditure (CAPEX) initially planned. This paper presents the first four Buzios subsea system developments, highlighting some of the technological achievements applied in the field, as the first wide application of 8" Internal Diameter (ID) flexible production pipes for ultra-deep water, leading to faster ramp-ups and higher production flowrates. It describes how the supply chain strategy provided flexibility to cover the remaining project uncertainties, and reports the optimizations carried out in flexible riser systems and subsea layouts. The flexible risers, usually installed in lazy wave configurations at such water depths, were optimized reducing the total buoyancy necessary. For water injection and service lines, the buoyancy modules were completely removed, and thus the lines were installed in a free-hanging configuration. Riser configuration optimizations promoted a drop of around 25% on total riser CAPEX and allowed the riser anchor position to be placed closer to the floating production unit, promoting opportunities for reducing the subsea tieback lengths. Standardization of pipe specifications and the riser configurations allowed the projects to exchange the lines, increasing flexibility and avoiding riser interference in a scenario with multiple suppliers. Furthermore, Buzios was the first ultra-deep-water project to install a flexible line, riser, and flowline, with fully Controlled Annulus Solution (CAS). This system, developed by TechnipFMC, allows pipe integrity management from the topside, which reduces subsea inspections. As an outcome of the technological improvements and the optimizations applied to the Buzios subsea system, a vast reduction in subsea CAPEX it was achieved, with a swift production ramp-up.

Angolan government will push for oil sector boost

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Exchange ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Oil Fields ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Foreign Exchange Reserves ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Institutional Reforms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Sector

Significance This is the first major test of recent legislative and institutional reforms as President Joao Lourenco’s government looks to bring in new players and revitalise the sector. New exploration is badly needed to restore dwindling production, alongside measures to monetise gas reserves and smaller oil fields, in addition to the large deep-water fields that have traditionally attracted oil majors. Impacts New oil discoveries are the best short-to-medium term hope for shoring up Angola’s foreign exchange reserves. If successful, the licensing round could bring a new wave of offshore exploration and deliver a boost to ports and services industries. The ANPG hopes to put new discoveries on production from 2026 to replace output as existing fields decline. Activity in southern Angola will also affect sentiment in neighbouring Namibia, where oil majors have recently taken new acreage.

Steel Steep Wave Riser as an Alternative Configuration for FPSO’s Compliant Risers

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo S. D. Pereira ◽  
Marcio M. Mourelle ◽  
Ludimar L. de Aguiar
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Point ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Final Choice ◽  
Vortex Induced Vibration ◽  
Sea Bottom ◽  
Alternative Configuration ◽  
Steep Wave

The work was focused in the chase for alternative configurations that could resist to the high FPSO motions in the Brasil’s Pre-Salt harsh wave environment, and that could also be less compliant laterally when compared to the SLWR solution. A case study was taken where an infield 8 inch SLWR configuration has been taken for comparisons. After adjusting the SSWR (Steel Steep Wave Riser) main characteristics such as top angle, buoyant section length, buoyancy modules geometry and spacing, feasible configurations have been obtained. For a configuration to be considered as feasible, a set of verifications have been carried out including extreme events, wave fatigue, vortex induced vibration and installation. The verification was performed considering several riser top connection positions and azimuths along the FPSO riser support balcony. The interference with neighboring risers has been also taken as an important issue, but was taken solely for comparison with the SLWR configurations. The installation phase has been focused including the stages of bottom connection, normal pipe lay and the connection at the FPSO. The main problems associated to the installation phase of the steep wave configuration were identified and addressed in the discussion presented. As the SSWR configuration has a fixed point at the sea bottom, two different solutions for this connection have been studied, and the final choice is described. The main differences between SSWRs and SLWRs, and the possible advantages of the SSWR configuration are discussed and a direct comparison is presented.

Monitoring Campaign on Sub-Sea Installation

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus Rodriguez Navarro ◽  
Joris van Drunen ◽  
Ruben de Bruin
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Quality Measurement ◽  
Oil Fields ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Excellent Performance ◽  
Monitoring Campaign ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
Motion Behavior

The Deepwater Construction Vessel (DCV) Balder performed an one-and-half year deep water construction project in west Africa. The project started in 2010 and consists of multiple oil fields located in water depths ranging from 1800m to 2100m. Heerema Marine Contractors (the Contractor) has successfully installed a large number of sub-sea structures, flow lines and Risers. Installation procedures were optimized, new deck equipment has been installed and passive heave compensation is designed. These measures enabled the crew to achieve an excellent performance in the swell dominated seas West of Africa. To accurately capture the experiences with the new equipment and procedures, an extensive Offshore Monitoring Campaign (OMC) was performed. To achieve this goal three areas of interest were identified: • Lowering structures to the seabed at deepwater • Offloading of barges alongside the DCV Balder • Motion behavior of DCV Balder in swell environment The objectives of the monitoring campaign were: • Validation of the models and performance of the equipment • Verification of the operability limits for different installation activities • Transfer of knowledge between engineering and operations The paper describes how the Contractor executed the different measurements and how the results from the measurements were fed back into the execution of the project. The challenges which were faced to obtain high quality measurement data will be dealt with. Finally it shows the benefits of performing full-scale measurement to engineer safe and efficient deep water operations.

Barracuda and Caratinga giant oil fields, deep water Campos Basin, Brazil

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osrnar C. Assis ◽  
Mauro R. Becker ◽  
Jose R.C. Melo ◽  
Enio P. Franz ◽  
Ricardo R.P. Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Oil Fields ◽  
Campos Basin
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