DNV GL and industry partners including Petrobras, Shell, Statoil and Woodside have commenced a joint industry project (JIP) to standardize subsea processing systems.
The DNV GL-JIP ‘Subsea processing-Standardization of subsea pumping’ aims to assess the potential for standardization in subsea processing, beginning with subsea pumping.
In particular, the partners will initially focus developing a functional description for subsea pumping and specific targets for possible standardization. The work follows sharing industry knowledge and creating best practice guidance.
The standardization helps in custom-make facilities flexibly at a system level in addition to increasing predictability in the value chain.
DNV GL said that the project would result in reduced transaction costs and improve the implementation speed while allowing to innovate and to implement new technology.
Petrobras research and development center executive manager André Lima Cordeiroc said: "This JIP intends to contribute by taking the Subsea Processing and Boosting to a higher value level.
"The standardization of parts and subsystems is one of the potential keys to achieve that. Common specifications will potentially increase the number of business cases for subsea systems and bring synergies to the surface."
In addition to providing the ability to increase recoverable reserves, the subsea processing systems optimizes production while increasing economic viability of a projects.
Shell projects & technology upstream operated and JV projects vice president Graham Henley said: "Alignment of operators and system suppliers through this standardization initiative can make a significant contribution in achieving this cost reduction goal."
The JIP is currently seeking additional collaborators and suggestions for potential other areas which could benefit from standardization.
DNV GL – Oil & Gas Norway regional manager Kjell Eriksson said: "Industry collaboration, through JIPs such as these, drives efficiency at a collective level, raising the bar for all operators, sharing knowledge and experience, and creating trust and certainty by establishing new or consolidating existing standards and practices."
Image: The subsea processing systems increase economic viability of a project by optimizing production. Photo: courtesy of DNV GL AS.