Moderated by: Knut Rognve, ABB and Kim Løseth, NUI As

17:00 - 17:20

Next generation subsea multiplexed workover control systems
Joakim Haukvik - Baker Hughes 

The WOCS are used to operate and test the subsea X-mas tree during installation and could also be used during well interventions. Conventional solutions deliver hydraulic fluid from surface to the controlling element(valves) on the seabed which often causes large hydraulic umbilical’s, reels and containers that occupy precious deck space.

The new subsea and remote workover control system overcomes these challenges by moving to a fully electric downline and locating the control system on the seabed. The location of the pumps, electronics modules and with the option for subsea battery storage and wireless communication will improve operational flexibility, runtime and valve response time. Other benefits are related to removing the need for umbilical clamped to the landing string, smaller reel for electric cable only and smaller footprint surface control unit.

Further integrating the control system to support multi-field and multi-mode, we can use less equipment with fewer people on board operating the system. The system lend itself to easier using other remote support functions even from shore that can reduce the staff offshore further while maintaining the competence involved in the operation.

People attending this paper will learn how new generation of WOCS will simplify offshore operations for SPS installations and interventions while reducing cost, risk and environmental footprint.

17:20 - 17:40

Improved Safety and Efficiency during Offshore Umbilical Installation by using the ‘Bend Restrictor Quick Connector’
Wilmar van Hengel - Subsea 7 

Subsea 7 wish to present a method that has improved the safety of offshore umbilical installation by using the ‘Bend Restrictor Quick Connector’ (BRQC). This method was developed together with Equinor, with the aim to significantly reduce the amount of work that must be performed when working under a swinging and suspended load (the umbilical termination head), and hence reducing personnel exposure to potential dropped objects.

During the installation of the Utgard umbilical, Equinor experienced a High Potential Near Miss Incident when, as the 2nd end umbilical termination head (UTH) was lifted over the vertical lay system (VLS), a heavy item became dislodged from the UTH, and fell to the moonpool deck. At the time, personnel were in the moonpool deck area preparing for the bend restrictor installation on the 2nd end, and the dropped object almost struck them.

As a part of the Johan Sverdrup Phase 2 project scope of work, Subsea 7 was awarded a study to investigate how this process could be improved, and how the work underneath a suspended load could be reduced. Subsea 7 wishes to present the maturation process of the BRQC from initial concept to delivery of the final product that was very well received on board the offshore installation vessel, improving safety and efficiency as planned.

Equinor has indicated that the bend restrictor ‘click-on arrangement’ will be included as a requirement in their standards and shall be implemented on upcoming projects by either supplier or installation contractor.

17:40 - 18:00

Forecast of pipeline response during laying operations
Øystein Døskeland - Subsea 7 

To reduce the cost of weather waiting without compromising the requirement for safe operations, it is essential to determine accurate limiting criteria, and response forecasting allows us to significantly improve the accuracy of the modelled wave spectrum used in the underlying calculations.

Offshore installation work is sensitive to weather conditions and progress is frequently delayed when conditions are outside workable limits. While weather waiting is costly due to the high cost of installation vessels and delayed completion of projects, it is necessary in order to prevent damage on the installed products, the installation vessel, and to ensure safety of personnel.

Wave spectra based on generic models (such as JONSWAP or Torsethaugen) are often used, even though forecasted wave spectra are available at the time of execution. To make use of the forecasted wave spectrum, it is necessary to perform calculations during the execution phase and translate it into responses that actually limit the operation, namely a ‘Response Forecast’. In this context, a response is used as a general term and not limited to vessel motion.

This presentation describes the challenges and savings experienced during practical implementation of response forecasting on pipelay projects performed by Subsea 7.