Project description
In 2014, Chevron Upstream Europe (CUE) started developing the High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) Alder field in the Central North Sea. Alder is a gas condensate field which produces through a single subsea well in 152m of water. There is a requirement to inject methanol within the tree and wellhead tie-in spool downstream of the tree, leading to a requirement for a high pressure well jumper (12,500 psi). Strohm has been contracted to supply the high pressure flexible TCP Jumper, connecting the manifold with the tree.
Client (Chevron) conclusions & lessons learned, February 2017, Subsea UK
- Successful installation of world's first Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP) in a permanent installation subsea worldwide
- Pipe in operation since 1 November 2016
- Successful joint effort involving Chevron, Strohm, Technip and Flowline Specialists
- Product more robust in handling than expected
- Installation from subsea carousel worked well
- Product weight vs stiffness managed during installation
- Involvement and input of Strohm at interface trials and transpooling key for success
- Concrete protection mattresses worked well for short length of TCP on seabed
Key system characteristics
- De-risking project schedule
- Manufactured in advance, terminated prior to installation on site
- Significantly more tolerance in length than rigid pipe
- Can be deployed using subsea pallet
- No metrology required, faster first oil
Lowest total installed cost
- Reduced fabrication cost
- Reduced buoyancy cost
- Reduced transport costs
- Reduced installation costs