Open Source Architectures Development for Subsea Factory

Abstract The future application of subsea processing technologies envisages subsea production systems with an increased level of functional complexity because of the integration of static and rotating processing equipment like pumps, separators, compressors, scrubbers, heat exchangers. These systems call for high total system availability not only dependent on individual technologies and associated equipment reliability but also on a set of key drivers which shall govern the overall Subsea System configuration. The field evolution during its life, due to the modification of the production parameters (like changing in production profiles, increased water production, etc…), together with the need for frequent inspection, maintenance and repair (especially for the rotating equipment) have to be considered when defining the key drivers to be evaluated in view of defining the best subsea factory configuration. Elements such Interchangeability, Re-Configurability,  Expandability, Installability, Inspectability and Retrievability have to be considered within the key drivers and functional requirements to be evaluated in the development of the subsea system architecture of these systems. The standardization of modules and sub-modules and the standardization of interfaces among modules and sub-modules with Subsea Production Systems or other facilities shall be a key for the optimization of the subsea processing system vs. installation and Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) tasks. Sonsub is active, since many years, in the development of proprietary subsea processing technologies. The proprietary solutions includes the Subsea Gas/Liquid Separation System (Multipipe Separator), Liquid/Liquid Separation System (SpoolSep), and The Sea Water Treatment and Re-Injection System (SPRINGS). The Sonsub philosophy (Saipem brand name and industrial platform for the Subsea Factory) to optimize the subsea factories configuration is to develop "open sources architectures" through standardized Functional Building Blocks and standardization of the relevant interfaces. The paper illustrates the "open source architectures" conceived by Sonsub for subsea factories and relevant modularization philosophy, mainly focused to its proprietary technologies. Moreover it also describes the proposed standardization principles to allow the integration of a system independent from any proprietary products or equipment and exclusive interfaces, called SUBSEA BUS.