Published: 2001 | Offshore Technology Conference | April 30 – May 3, 2001 | Houston, Texas, USA
Abstract
Offshore exploration for oil and gas is being performed in even more challenging waters, with fields being developed in water depths of 2000 meters and greater. To recover hydrocarbons from these depths, a number of technical challenges are presented to the designers of riser and offloading systems. Met-ocean characteristics and relatively low reservoir temperatures compound the challenges.
This paper discusses how unbonded flexible pipe technology has overcome the challenges of floating production systems in 2000 meters water depth and how its continued development enables solutions for ultra deep water riser systems. During the discussion of the status of flexible pipe technology, an overview is given to the advancements in flow
assurance technology and integrity monitoring, both of which can evolve as integral parts of the flexible pipe.
These achievements in technology are applied to the design of large diameter offloading and export systems that are being considered for large field developments where crude oil
is being offloaded to other floating structures and tankers. The paper details the design and detailed analysis of the unbonded flexible pipe solutions developed by Wellstream to overcome the deepwater challenges associated with large diameter export riser systems. Design comparisons are developed with the alternative products currently proposed.
Finally, the paper concludes with an economic appraisal of why flexible pipe systems should be considered a cost effective solution in the overall CAPEX and OPEX of deepwater field developments.
Authors:
Tuohy, J., Loper, C., Wang, Dr. D.
Justin Tuohy | @pen 