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DW: Subsea Processing Opportunities

Since publishing our pioneering “Gamechanger” study on the subject back in 2003, Douglas-Westwood have tracked the emerging subsea processing (SSP) sector with anticipation of increased operator participation and spend.

SSP technology has since been applied to many fields including Total’s Pazflor where gas/liquid separation and boosting equipment were implemented in 2011. Subsea boosting is a widely accepted technology and separation technology is increasingly used by operators – Shell’s Perdido field utilises the first ever full subsea separation system. There have also been recent increases in the development of compression technology, predominantly by Statoil. The operator’s pioneering Asgard and Gullfaks subsea gas compression projects are in their latter stages of development and both manufacturer Aker Solutions and the wider offshore industry wait in eager anticipation of proof of concept for the huge compression units. Could this provide the incentive required to push compression and other SSP technologies into even more widespread use?

Conducted in 2012, our Subsea Joint Industry Study found that while SSP was still in the early stages of implementation, SSP technologies were being considered by all 30+ surveyed operators throughout most regions of the world. Particular focus was placed offshore Norway, but also Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico and West Africa which dominate global deepwater activity and where SSP has potential to play a significant role in the future developments.

As the increased theme of IOC capital discipline currently plays out, operators will remain risk averse; however, the search for solutions that may reduce offshore project costs should lead to further active consideration of SSP technology.

DW will investigate the SSP market further over the next few months through our 2014 Subsea Joint Industry Study and we invite your participation.
Source: Douglas-Westwood London