Page 37: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Sep/Oct 2014)

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Above: FPSO marks Dutch FPSO provider SBM Ofshore’s introduction to the Gulf of Mexico. Turritella

Turritella. Images from SBM Ofshore.

Left: A rendering of FPSO

SBM Offshore was recognized at this year’s Offshore where a weathervaning system was required in conjunction

Technology Conference in Houston for its Very High Pressure with fuid re-injection into the reservoir. (VHP) Fluid Swivel technology, which allows operators to

Back to work in the Gulf of Mexico use foating production storage and offoading (FPSO) units throughout the full development of ultra-high-pressure res- The VHP Fluid Swivel technology would be particularly rele- ervoirs. Previously, full development had not been possible vant to the Paleogene reservoirs, or Lower Tertiary felds, in the

Stones, SBM, in close collaboration with disconnected and the MoorSpar size can be achieved by limiting the pressure diferential

Shell, has developed the world’s largest dis- adjusted to the riser loads. Moreover, when across individual seals in the swivel. An Oil connectable turret, complete with several connected, the yoke decouples the FPSO Pressurization System (OPS) supplies two new components needed to enable the buoy motion from the risers, enabling the use of pressurized fuid barriers for this purpose: to be safely connected and disconnected. simple steel catenary risers instead of the 860bar between the isolation and primary

Coupled analyses of steel risers and more expensive lazy wave confgurations. seals (frst barrier), and 430bar between

FPSOs enable SBM to optimize both the The current industry pressure limit for an the primary and secondary seals (second riser design and the vessel motions and FPSO fuid swivel is 520bar, however, this is barrier). There is ambient pressure between excursions. inadequate to allow water and/or gas rein- the secondary and tertiary barrier. The VHP jection into Lower Tertiary felds; pressures OPS thus limits the pressure diferential are needed well above this level. The solu- over any seal to 430bars, which is within the 2. Disconnectable FPSO with steel ris- tion from SBM is the VHP Fluid Swivel. The qualifed capacity of the seals.

ers for full feld development

Full feld developments typically require 830bar swivel design successfully passed “The VHP Fluid Swivel demonstrates a larger number of risers and umbilicals, a full qualifcation program. Long duration that our continued innovation is success- which a disconnectable turret can- endurance runs equivalent to fve years in fully bridging the technology gaps identi- not accommodate. SBM developed the North Sea conditions were undertaken. The fed with our clients,” SBM Ofshore Group

MoorSpar system, which is supported by a swivel design can accommodate operat- Technology Director Michael Wyllie says. conventional, slender spar-type structure, ing pressures up to 1,000bar (14,500psi). with the capacity to support more risers Further tests during 2014 will complete 3. Deep draft semisubmersible and umbilicals. The concept is the result of qualifcation at this pressure. For deepwater felds in harsh environments, more than seven years’ research, involving Launched in 2009, the development pro- SBM’s DeepDraft vessel holds the world extensive model tests. It is ready to enter a gram has resulted in a patented technique record water depth for a foating ptoduc- major project FEED. to allow the swivel seals to accommodate tion semisubmersible. Independence Hub

The concept makes use of a yoke on the much higher pressures. The resulting VHP semisubmersible FPU has been installed in

FPSO, which is elevated on disconnection fuid swivel is suitable for water injection, the Gulf of Mexico, in 2415m water depth, from the MoorSpar. This simplifes the riser gas injection or WAG service. The high-pres- since 2007. Its daily gas production capacity design, as the spar remains foating when sure rating of the VHP Fluid Swivel has been is 1 billion scf/d. • oedigital.com September 2014 | OE 39 040_OE0914_FPSO3_SBM.indd 39 8/21/14 2:55 PM