Subsea Factory–Standardization of the Brownfield Factory

Abstract As part of the corporate technology strategy Statoil has launched a technology plan for the Subsea Factory concept. The plan describes how to combine subsea production and processing technology elements with key business cases and define enabling and cost-efficient field development concepts. With the advent of moving processing facilities from topside to subsea, Statoil has made major technological advances in placing conventional processing equipment on the seabed. As of today, Statoil has successfully deployed subsea pumps and subsea separators (Troll Pilot and Tordis). Statoil is also in the process of deploying the world's first subsea compressors in 2015 (at both the Åsgard- and Gullfaks field). While there has been a gradual increase in the complexity of the subsea processing systems we have also advanced our analytical and modelling approach to subsea processing concept evaluation and selection. In our recent concept evaluation we have used an integrated modelling approach, in which subsea processing options are directly linked to reservoir models, flow lines and surface facilities. This enables us to see value added in terms of increased reservoir productivity, but also overview of entire system behavior from reservoir to the topside, throughout the expected field life. The cost level within subsea has increased by a factor 2.5 over the last 10-12 years. Statoil aims at establishing a Business Agreed Standardization on subsea processing interfaces and modules. This standardization strategy will allow suppliers to compete within modules/technology elements, but standardize on module size and open interfaces to achieve plug-and-play functionality The goal is to reduce costs and improve competitiveness of subsea solutions: More profitable subsea developments Increased subsea processing volume Statoil believes that alignment with the other operators is vital to succeed in establishing a global, open standard. Standardization enabling cost reduction through simplification More profitable subsea developments Increased subsea processing volume (? win-win-solution for the O&G industry) The paper describes the ongoing work to achieve standardization of the Brownfield Subsea Factory with focus on near infrastructure solutions of existing fields. Subsea boosting and compression are important technologies enabling extended lifetime and increased recovery of mature subsea fields. In the paper several business cases will be described.