Learning and development from the world’s first operating subsea compression system
S. Yeaw A B , A. Storstenvik A and R. Vesterkjaer AA Aker Solutions, 197 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: si.huai.yeaw@akersolutions.com
The APPEA Journal 57(2) 683-686 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ16039
Accepted: 17 March 2017 Published: 29 May 2017
Abstract
After years of development, qualification and engineering, subsea compression technology is now a proven solution to increase the recovery factor for offshore gas developments. The first subsea compression system was installed at the Åsgard field in the Norwegian Sea, which started up successfully on 17 September 2015. This represents an important milestone for the oil and gas industry because, apart from representing the successful development of new subsea processing technologies, subsea compression also proves itself a viable alternative field development option to oil and gas operators. This paper shares the experiences of Aker Solutions on the Åsgard subsea compression project, from the design and the project execution phases up to the operational phase, highlighting key learnings. In addition, the paper outlines the ongoing development activities to optimise the compression system delivered for Åsgard, with particular focus on unit size and weight optimisation without requiring any qualification activities of new technologies. This new-generation subsea compression system will extend the applicability of this technology to a much wider range of fields and offshore regions.
Keywords: Åsgard, new technology, Norwegian Sea, subsea boosting, subsea cooler, subsea processing, subsea scrubber, subsea technology.
Si Huai Yeaw is a senior process engineer who has worked for Aker Solutions since 2011. He has more than 7 years professional experience in the oil and gas industry, and specialises in subsea processing technology. Currently based in Perth, Si focuses on subsea processing and boosting technology applications (including separation, dehydration, cooler, compressor and pump) in the Asia Pacific region. Si graduated with a double BComm and BEng in Chemical Engineering degree from The University of Melbourne in 2009. He currently sits in the committee board for SUT Perth, and is a member of SPE. |
Anders Storstenvik has worked for Aker Solutions since 2006, where he is currently the Subsea Compression Technology Manager. Anders was the engineering manager for the Åsgard Subsea Compression Project and one of the technology experts in the field of subsea compression system technology. Anders graduated with an MSc in Underwater Technology from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in 2000 and obtained a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Oslo in 2005. |
Rune Vesterkjaer is the department manager for the Subsea Processing and Flow Assurance team in Aker Solutions, where he has worked since 2002. Rune is very experienced in subsea compression technology, having worked as the compressor module lead engineer for the Åsgard project, and the engineering manager for the Ormen Lange Subsea Compression study. Rune graduated with an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from NTNU in 2002. |
