Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway – Statoil will work with DNV GL to develop an international industry standard for subsea process technology.
DNV GL will lead a joint industry project (JIP) with varioussubsea operators on industrial standards that could make larger projects more profitable using this technology.
Current subsea developments are increasingly based on tailor-made solutions, Statoil says. Subsea pumps have deployed in many oil fields, and the first subsea compression systems will be installed in 2014 to increase gas production from the Statoil-operatedÅsgard and Gullfaks fields in the Norwegian North Sea.
“We may combine technology from different suppliers, and also cover several needs through subsea solutions,” said executive vp in Technology, Projects & Drilling in Statoil, Margareth Øvrum.
“The industry needs to lower costs to enable more subsea developments and increase the use of subsea processing technology,” she added.
According to Statoil, costs for subsea developments have increased by 250% over the past 10-12 years.
By standardizing the tie-ins and the module sizes, it will be possible to make use of the best technology for each individual function, independent of supplier,” said Øvrum.
“This will lead to more subsea projects being realized, benefitting both operators and suppliers. We will achieve increased recovery as more projects will be profitable to develop. Standard solutions will be easier and safer to handle, which will also reduce maintenance costs.”
The cooperation project with DNV GL should be in place by the end of 1Q 2015, with open standards established, referring to technology that all suppliers may use, without special rights.
Earlier this year, Statoil awarded contracts for feasibility studies concerning its goal ofsubsea processing “factories.” These were issued to:
- FMC Technologies – Oil boosting case
- Saipem – Åsgard subsea pre-compression case
- Kongsberg – SoW in control systems.
09/02/2014
