Subsea Infrastructure

  • Subsea blockages are a common industry challenge that can be so complex and costly to treat that some operators are known to leave multiple flow lines blocked for over a decade.

    This issue is set to become more challenging to solve, as we deal with complex reservoir conditions and fluids and more challenging flow-assurance conditions. With oil and gas production venturing into deeper waters, increasing tie-back distance, higher temperatures and greater pressures, the remediation of restrictions and blockages in subsea pipelines will become more difficult to combat as time moves on.

    Within subsea infrastructure, blockages can affect risers, flow lines, pipelines, umbilical, pipeline end terminations (PLETS) and manifolds. Blockages can occur for a variety of reasons and some simply come down to a lack of infrastructure maintenance. Whatever the cause, the effect can be a significant loss of revenue with far-reaching consequences.

    A buildup of wax, scale, asphaltene or hydrates will severely affect production and hamper field profitability. Remediation methods are historically costly and include deploying a coiled-tubing system from a rig into the pipeline or undertaking subsea intervention via remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or saturation divers. The requirement for a rig or vessel to undertake the work can also significantly delay the time to implement a solution, further contributing toward making these options uneconomical. Replacing the pipeline can be a time consuming and costly exercise to undertake. The blocked line would still require decontamination as per the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) requirements prior to decommissioning and retrieval.

    Enter Pipe Pulse

    One international oil company operating in the North Sea suffered persistent blockage on a 15 kilometer flow line for 11 years and lost an estimated 350 barrels per day. Another had a subsea flow line blocked for 10 months with sand and wax.

    Located 16 kilometers from the host platform, the six-inch multiphase flow line lay at a water depth of 100 meters. This operator had tried a variety of conventional methods to tackle the issue, but due to the remote location of the blockages from the host platform, access to the pipelines and the subsea infrastructure proved difficult. A number of topsides and subsea issues were left unsolved.

    A nonintrusive removal of subsea blockages was needed, and the solution was the Pipe-Pulse flow oscillation method. Deploying this type of technology cleared the blockage in all these examples and lines could be flushed within 2.5 days. It took less than a week to unblock multiple flow lines in this central North Sea field.

    During the test phase of its development, Pipe-Pulse had accurately detected a blockage for an operator in the North Sea which turned out to be a collapsed flexible jumper 10 kilometers into the gas lift line of an umbilical. This knowledge saved the client an estimated $600,000 for not having to mobilize a DSV to investigate the blockage.

    Pipe-Pulse has also been used to solve a number of paraffin wax blockages in the Gulf of Mexico, and the unblocking operations let oil companies get their wells back online. In one case, the blockage occurred in a 16-mile, five-inch flow line, and the operator had failed to unblock the blockage despite six months of trying. Pulsing cleared the blockage in two weeks and full-flow resumed without the need to shut down the flow line.

    Gulf Interventions
    A high-frequency low-amplitude flow oscillator for the removal of blockages in pipelines and umbilical offers a low cost solution which completes in days rather than months with minimum vessel requirements. A rapid response service also minimizes HSE exposure, reducing the requirement for diver intervention programs, and diver intervention inside lines that might have trapped pressure.

    Typical blockage locations include chemical injection umbilical, production risers, manifolds, flow lines and pipelines. Pipe-Pulse is effective in all of these applications even in long-distance or large-diameter pipework.

    Pipe-Pulse works remotely and can locate and remove blockages in pipework up to 50 kilometers distant. This deblocking system is designed to be connected on the topside facilities of a host platform via the pig launcher or umbilical termination unit. The unit delivers high-energy and high-volume pressure pulses into the pipeline or subsea umbilical. These pulses transmit at the speed of sound to the blockage miles away. Four engineers on a unit per shift control the length and pressure of the pulse.

    Steady pulse

    The Paradigm system uses a touch-screen panel to operate a complex series of control valves in the body of a Pipe-Pulse unit. Algorithms determine the optimum wave structure for each pulse from potentially millions for each particular job. The unit then physically creates and injects the manufactured pulse into the pipeline, a far more effective method than applying pressure alone.

    While water is the fluid of choice, a number of chemicals have been used where water incompatibility is an issue. Solvents and monoethylene glycol have been used successfully where required, but these are avoided due to handling issues.

    Each debris removal ought to be uniquely engineered depending on the subsea infrastructure, and that’s what Paradigm does. Sometimes, a blockage can be pushed to a larger flow line and circulated out. Occasionally, flushing heavily with chemicals may be necessary once a bypass has been achieved, or flow from a well can be brought on to flush debris back to the surface.

    Space is often at a premium offshore. The Pipe-Pulse is just one meter wide by two meters tall and fits into the most cramped Zone 1 hazardous area. The two units needed for operations are 1,763 pounds each yet still achieve flows of five barrels per minute while operating at 10,000 psi.

    Deeper water, complex reservoirs and aging equipment all push prices up. This solution from paradigm solves at least one expensive problem cost-effectively, and in deep water, the Pipe-Pulse delivers dramatic savings. Where chronic obstructions have gone unresolved for years, millions of dollars can be saved by not having to replace umbilical or pipeline.
     

    (As published in the September 2015 edition of Marine Technology Reporter - http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/Magazine)

  • inspection, both requiring support vessels with day rates hovering between $100k and $200 k. Therefore, the cost of continuously inspecting subsea infrastructure can heavily impact an operator’s OPEX. The FlatFish project concept was created by BG Brasil, a subsidiary of Shell, with DFKI, SENAI-Cimatec

  • a significant hazard that can cause hull damage during navigation, exert higher loads on offshore structures, and their keel can potentially impact subsea infrastructure in shallower operations.    The sigma S6 Ice Defense system includes all the features of the sigma S6 Ice Navigator, but also offers automatic

  • to the oil and gas, renewable and civil contracting communities. With bases in the Netherlands, U.K., India, Africa and the Middle East, integrated subsea infrastructure services provider N-Sea serves all major North Sea operators and service companies, supporting customers through survey, inspection and assessment

  • Paschoa spoke to Dan McLeod, Senior Program Manager at Lockheed Martin. Although the Marlin AUV is presented as targeted for customers who conduct subsea infrastructure surveys and inspections, it is capable of much more, as it can be configured to operate subsea Xmas tree valves and other such equipment, which

  • operational risk by providing near real-time data to pilots about the environment, ships in the vicinity, and the location of any surface or subsea infrastructure.  Many improvements were also made to the launch and recovery methods for the systems, ensuring the vehicles’ field operations comply with

  • lift vessels to engage in lifting operations that include certain lateral movements when the movement is necessary for the safety of surface and subsea infrastructure or the vessels and mariners involved. Undoubtedly the political and legal fight over offshore installation vessels will continue and it will

  • to below $30, helped by the roughly $20 oil-price breakeven made possible by economies of scale at the giant Johan Sverdrup field, where the first subsea infrastructure, a water-injection template, has just been installed, the first of many. Supplier fortunes are expected to rise in capital-intensive Norway

  • , modification, construction, decommissioning, drilling, completion, workover, abandonment or similar activities or operations of wells, seafloor or subsea infrastructure, flowlines, and surface production facilities.” CBP’s notice emphasizes “that the fact that an item is returned to and departs with the vessel

  • is rising. As such, the complexities of understanding the performance of the vessel in given sea-states and the interaction of the FPSO with the subsea infrastructure, becomes imperative. Marine monitoring systems have primarily been used to provide real-time information for operational support during

  • expected to be driven by the three deepwater fields all of which are located off Israel. Meanwhile the Middle East has a relatively small base of subsea infrastructure and there are no visible field development projects over the forecast period with vessel demand mainly coming from pipeline projects. The region

  • expected to be driven by the three deepwater fields all of which are located off Israel. Meanwhile the Middle East has a relatively small base of subsea infrastructure, and there are no visible field development projects over the forecast period with vessel demand mainly coming from pipeline projects. The

  • MR Feb-24#40 Images Seaspan Corporation/Foreship
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    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 40

    Images Seaspan Corporation/Foreship With plans to have a full-scale test engine running on am- age it'll be similar to LNG.” Looking at the engine makers and monia in early 2024, the company said it expects to hold its de- their progress, Brindley is diplomatic in saying that there is no livery timeline

  • MR Feb-24#39 15,000 TEU AMMONIA CONTAINERSHIP
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    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 38

    TECH FEATURE Ammonia and the 15,00 A project initiated by Seaspan Corporation and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) has set out to develop a design for a large 15,000-TEU ammonia-fueled container vessel. Image Seaspan Corporation/Foreship By Greg Trauthwein orking with

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    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 24

    R&D marinized version of the V228 product from 8 to 16 cylinders. through improved lifecycle cost, trade-offs, it also allows us That engine is called the V228 for the bore size in millimeters. to do concurrent design and reliability demonstrations. We’re With the advent of emissions regulations for EPA

  • MR Feb-24#20  into a  system supply, dynamic subsea cables and specialist)
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    engineering services, shipyard and port capacity, mooring operations and transition ? oating production activity into a system supply, dynamic subsea cables and specialist installa- wider ? oating energy business that leverages the skills and tion vessels. We are forecasting some potential supply

  • MR Feb-24#18 , among other things, moorings, subsea systems,  to 20% FLNGs)
    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 18

    continued growth through this decade, driving stalled by the end of 2030, of which 70% will be FPSOs, close demand for, among other things, moorings, subsea systems, to 20% FLNGs and ? oating production units without storage umbilicals, risers, ? owlines and the large anchor handlers and (semi-subs

  • MR Feb-24#11 down to a smaller size, and especially a smaller width)
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    down to a smaller size, and especially a smaller width relieves waterfront infrastructure footprints and costs. that issue. One may argue that one human with a bigger truck These 5-foot wide units will zip through the city much faster can deliver more cargo than one human with a smaller truck, and

  • MN Feb-24#21 Column
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    Column Washington Watch 2 project had also been terminated. Notwithstanding the rather Equinor and BP will look to recompete for a new contract’s termination, GLDD’s Jones Act-compliant Sub- NYSERDA OREC Agreement in 2024 (of course, with a sea Rock Installation Vessel (SRIV) remains under con- substantial

  • MN Feb-24#17 Column
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    February 2024 - Marine News page: 17

    Column Going Green ernize ferry operations, replace aging implemented to address grid and space increased power requirements. That vessels, and upgrade ferry terminals. constraints with electri? cation. can involve installing new conduit, The grants are critical to helping WETA is one of many U.S.

  • MN Feb-24#6 Marine News  February 2024  •  Volume 35   Number 2
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    February 2024 - Marine News page: 6

    Marine News February 2024 • Volume 35 Number 2 Contributors 3 1 24 6 5 7 8 1 Tom Ewing 5 Edward Lundquist is a freelance writer specializing in marine, energy and envi- is a retired naval of? cer who writes on maritime and ronmental issues. He contributes regularly to this magazine. security

  • MT Jan-24#3rd Cover SMART SUBSEA SOLUTIONS
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    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 3rd Cover

    SMART SUBSEA SOLUTIONS Delivering data in most adverse conditions: underwater acoustic modems with advanced communication technology and networking Accurate USBL and LBL positioning of underwater assets Modem emulator and other cost-saving developer tools Autonomous surface vehicle for bathymetry, monitoring

  • MT Jan-24#64  online
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    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.birns.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Please visit us online 19 . . . . .Blueprint Subsea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.blueprintsubsea.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .+44 (0) 1539 531536 27 . . . . .Deep Ocean

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    , meeting poten- free pH sensors for ocean monitoring; tial suppliers, hearing what’s happening in the industry – you • C-Kore Systems, simplifying subsea testing with its new learn a lot, whether you are there for one day or the whole Optical TDR unit; event. As a new committee member, I will get

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    oil & gas, renewables, defense, maritime security, service launch activity. Exhibitors introducing new solutions marine science, ports, aquaculture and subsea. at Oi24 include: Oi’s focus in 2024 will re? ect the global challenges con- • Cathx Ocean, combining sensor data, machine vision fronting the industry

  • MT Jan-24#57  in diving technolo-
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    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 57

    Science Collaborative for forensics expert special- Offshore Wind (RWSC) for a topical discuss on the progression of izing in diving technolo- gies and subsea sys- the nascent offshore wind industry off the east coast United States. tems. With more than As the industry literally takes shape under our waters

  • MT Jan-24#56 FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND GAZELLE WIND POWER
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    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 56

    FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND GAZELLE WIND POWER We’re already working on the pre-FEED, and now we’re go- clude 70 turbines of 15MW each, and has preselected Gazelle ing to be working on the engineering portion. Our main goal as one of the providers for the offshore wind platform. So, is to prove the concept

  • MT Jan-24#55 Gazelle is banking on its 
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    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 55

    Gazelle is banking on its modular solution, which Ortega says should represent a 30% reduced platform cost. “We are targeting 75% less of mooring length compared. So less mooring length, less materials will be used.” Alvaro Ortega, CFO, Gazelle Wind Power All images courtesy Gazelle Offshore Wind Gaze

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  • MT Jan-24#48  package for a range of subsea vehicles, including the)
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    history supplying research-quality Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) sensors in a compact, cost-effective and easy-to- integrate package for a range of subsea vehicles, including the fast-growing micro AUV market. Dave Fratantoni, CEO, NBOSI, discussed the tech and the market potential. By Greg Trauthwein What

  • MT Jan-24#47 Image courtesy Kystdesign
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    Image courtesy Kystdesign currents, SMD explains. The ? ight control system can also link to other SMART systems unlocking autonomous func- tionality. They use unique electric propulsion technology that offers extreme performance in fast-moving water, but not at the expense of ? ne control. “All this

  • MT Jan-24#46 ROVS
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    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 46

    ROVS Omega Subsea Robotics ordered six complete ROV systems from Kystdesign. Image courtesy SMD DEME’s upcoming subsea rock installation vessel Yellow- structor ROV systems and two brand new compact Construc- stone, scheduled to join the ? eet in the ? rst half of 2024. tor ROV systems. The systems

  • MT Jan-24#45 Image courtesy Copenhagen Subsea
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    Image courtesy Copenhagen Subsea Seatools completed Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for a Fall Pipe ROV developed for DEME, to be deployed on DEME’s upcoming subsea rock installation vessel Yellowstone, scheduled to join the ? eet in the ? rst half of 2024. Image courtesy Seatools www.marinetechnologynews.

  • MT Jan-24#44  not often seen in the subsea tech market. With a 
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    , AI-powered advanced imaging and observational marine robot, the FIFISH E-GO. The E-GO offers a range of advanced ca- pabilities not often seen in the subsea tech market. With a detachable motor, lighting, camera, and battery, module re- placements can easily and quickly restore operability. This feature

  • MT Jan-24#43  more 
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    ROVs to per- hanced maneuverability is particularly valuable in con- form a wider range of tasks in underwater environments more ? ned spaces and subsea infrastructure inspections. effectively while reducing risks to human operators. • Data-Driven Insights: Data is king in the modern As AI advances, the potential