Pazflor SSPS Project; Testing and Qualification of Novel Technology: A Key to Success

Abstract

Abstract The paper will address the development, qualification, engineering and testingphases for the Total's Pazflor Subsea Separation and Production System (SSPS). Items to be discussed will be qualification challenges associated with thespecific component test, factory acceptance test, extended factory acceptancetest, system integration test, shallow water test and cool down test. Pazfloris the first full-scale green field development with subsea separation andboosting as a prerequisite to producing two different grades of hydrocarbonsfrom four independent reservoirs. Other challenges which are discussed are thedynamic simulation and full-scale function. Total is the operator of the Pazflor development, located in Block 17 Angola, wich consists of 2 different fields: the Oligocene field has light oil atmedium pressure and medium temperature while the Miocene field has heavy(viscous) oil with low pressure and temperature. One of the challenges for thisdevelopment was to produce common equipment and systems capable of meeting thetechnical requirements for both fields, e.g. hydrate formation challenge vs.high temperatures. For the Miocene field the low reservoir pressure and deepwater in combination with high viscosity and stable emulsion creates the largepressure drop in the flowline and risers which therefore requires boosting ofthe production fluid from start-up of the field. This paper provides details of the extensive test program required tosuccessfully deliver a major Subsea Separation and Production System. It showsthe systematic and integrated process required from qualifying products atcomponent level to further verification in an overall system testprogram. New technology such as integrated insulation on pipe termination heads andsubsea separation systems together with a new system philosophy regardinginstallation of equipment and thermal performance has been verified. A successful offshore installation campaign took place during 2010 and 2011, confirming that potential issues were identified and rectified through the testprogram. The Pazflor subsea field development consists of two parts; the subseaproduction system (SPS) and the subsea separation system (SSS). The latter isexpected to be applied on several more subsea developments for both brown fieldand green field applications in the future. This Paper provides details on how these two parts were integrated into onesuccessful overall project with a focused engineering, execution and testprogram.