Subsea Control Fluids: Avoidance of Hydrate Formation

Abstract

With the increasing number of deep offshore production wells, it becomes essential to develop, test and qualify new hydraulic control fluids with enhanced temperature and pressure ranges. These requirements apply especially with focus on the avoidance of hydrate formation in subsea control systems. Due to these technical reasons, but also due to recent changes in environmental legislation, the qualification of new control fluids has become one of the central topics of Cameron's R&D activities. Evaluation of the newly developed fluid “Castrol Transaqua HC10” and the required qualification activities is briefly discussed. The fluid was developed in order to extend the application range especially for deepwater production wells. Drivers for the development have been parameters such as temperatures and pressures, which can lead to hydrate formation in case of a potential gas leakage at the surface-controlled subsurface safety valves. A comprehensive qualification program has been started with the goal to approve the fluid for the use in its first subsea application.