Selection of Subsea-Production Systems for Field Development in Arctic Environments

Abstract

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 166879, “Selection of Subsea-Production Systems for Field Development in the Arctic Environment,” by E.A. Pribytkov, Gubkin Russian State University and the University of Stavanger; A.B. Zolotukhin, Gubkin Russian State University; and O.T. Gudmestad, University of Stavanger, prepared for the 2013 SPE Arctic and Extreme Environments Conference and Exhibition, Moscow, 15–17 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed. In this paper, an analysis of the selection of integrated template structures (ITSs) for Arctic environments is presented. An analysis of several actual projects has been carried out. One of the important parts of this work was devoted to the requirements on ITSs conceived in relevant standards. The main elements of subsea-production modules, including their specific characteristics and components, are considered in the work. The Terra Nova and White Rose fields, on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, have been developed; other offshore projects are being prepared, such as Goliat and Skrugard in Northern Norway. These projects can be considered as true stepping stones toward oil and gas development in the Arctic region. The harsh conditions of the Arctic environment (low temperatures, icing, snow, fog, and polar night) lead to weather limitations, required winterization, complex logistics, and difficult emergency evacuation and rescue organization. The severe climatic conditions make the development of Arctic offshore and subsea marine operations extremely challenging. Features affecting safe offshore operations, subsea construction work, and field development are many, and are outlined in the complete paper. Several such factors of great importance are winds, waves, currents, and polar lows (low-pressure weather phenomena that appear when there are changes of cold Arctic air over the sea). Operational criteria are based on several weather parameters.