Skip to main content
OSTI.GOVU.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information
 

Test of a submerged production system. Progress report

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7223733
;
Offshore installation of Exxon's prototype Submerged Production System is nearing completion. This pilot test installation is being conducted in Exxon's West Delta 73 Field in the Gulf of Mexico. It includes the equipment necessary to develop and produce deep water oil reserves. This pilot test should provide the information necessary to verify equipment designs, as well as deep water installation, operating, and maintenance procedures. The program thus far has included the seafloor installation of two large pile-founded structures (a drilling and production template and a marine production riser base), installation of two subsea booster pumps on the template, and drilling and completion of three directional wells which have been connected to the subsea manifold. All five pipelines and the two electric cables required have been laid and connected to establish necessary communications between the template, riser base, and surface production facilities located on a nearby platform. Finally, remote maintenance procedures and tools have been used to perform maintenance tasks on the subsea and equipment. The system is currently being brought up to operational status. While most of the equipment and procedures have proven satisfactory, numerous unexpected problems have been encountered. These have been solved using techniques applicable to deep water operations. Improvements are needed in some areas to reduce installation costs and increase equipment performance. Our experience to date continues to generate confidence that deep water oil reserves are within reach of current technology and the problems attendant with the use of complex equipment in a remote environment can be satisfactorily overcome.
OSTI ID:
7223733
Report Number(s):
CONF-761008-31
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Exxon's Subsea Production System: producing oil/gas by remote control
Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977 · Offshore; (United States) · OSTI ID:5326744
Deepwater tools work against odds
Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1979 · Offshore; (United States) · OSTI ID:5041812
Submerged production system. A final report
Conference · Fri Feb 29 23:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Energy Resour. Technol.; (United States) · OSTI ID:6353882

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
DESIGN
GULF OF MEXICO
INSTALLATION
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
UNDERWATER FACILITIES