Get WISER November: Challenging the Status Quo
Spool Connection Assembly (SCA)
Wenwen Shen presented on an Innovative Spool Connection Assembly concept, introducing the opportunity to avoid long single spools, and thereby minimising risks and cost associated with heavy lifts. A couple of concepts were considered, including pre-installed foundation with subsequent tie in, as well as integrated foundation with subsequent laydown. In the shallow water case study presented, the former option was adopted as it offered more stability and higher reliability in the wave dominated loading environment. Various guide options were also considered to facilitate tie-in operation as well as to optimise the interface loads at the connection structure. A good understanding of the relevant industry codes and standards allowed to adjust and relax the stability design requirements of low consequence foundation structures which serve as installation aids for this particular project application.
Subsea Equipment Australian Reliability (SEAR) Joint Industry Project (JIP)
Adriana Botto gave an overview and update of the ongoing SEAR JIP. Adriana highlighted the challenges associated with subsea equipment that is failing prematurely in Australia waters that sparked the JIP initiative in 2014. Now delivering phase 6, the JIP primarily focused on marine fouling intervention and umbilical challenges. SCMs and EFLs were presented as some of the equipment most prone to failure, most often significantly earlier than their intended design life. Living laboratories in the form of material samples attached to subsea structures have been deployed to identify game changing technologies that will enable better performing material options. Next, the focus will be on umbilicals and the issues associated with unwanted gas in umbilicals, which is exacerbated in the warm waters in Northern Australian. The long-term effects of gas presence on performance is poorly understood and will be investigated by the JIP. Results of the SEAR JIP will be communicated through an industry best practice guideline intended to reduce operating cost for existing and future projects, while identifying solutions that are uniquely suited to Australian Waters.
