The increase in deepwater production in the Gulf of Mexico and other locationsaround the world has brought a corresponding increase in the use of subseamultiphase flow meters. The placement of subsea multiphase flow meters near thewells provide improved reservoir management, well diagnosis, allocation, aswell as oversight for safety. However, to realize their full potential, multiphase flow meters require timely and accurate fluid properties at meterconditions. Subsea architectures with long flow lines and risers have led tothe realization that well tests and topside samples cannot meet the needs ofthis new measurement technology.
A method for ROV-deployed subsea sampling has been developed in conjunctionwith several major operators to provide a means to capture representative fluidsamples at the multiphase meter or other locations, at various times throughoutthe life of the well. The system has been tested in a high-pressure flowlaboratory, as well as in a tank, to simulate ROV deployment in deepwaterconditions. A significant feature of this sampling system is its proposal of astandardized interface. Making such an interface between the sampling systemand the process fluid available to manufacturers will relieve them from thecosts and complications of developing proprietary systems, with varied designsand procedures. Furthermore, users will have more choices of both equipment andROV vendors, since these components should be interchangeable. This paper willpresent an overview of this sampling system development and some of itsperformance characteristics.
The increase in deepwater production in the Gulf of Mexico and other locationsaround the world has brought a corresponding increase in the use of subseamultiphase flowmeters. The placement of subsea multiphase flowmeters near thewell provides improved reservoir management, well diagnostics, and allocation. However, multiphase flowmeters require timely, accurate fluid properties, atmeter conditions, to realize their full potential. Subsea architectures withlong flow lines and risers have led to the realization that well tests andtopside samples cannot meet the needs of this new measurement technology.
A method for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)-operated subsea sampling systemhas been developed to provide a means to capture representative fluid samplesat the multiphase meter and other locations at various times throughout thelife of the well. The system has been tested in a laboratory and a tank tosimulate ROV deployment in subsea conditions.
One attractive feature of the sampling system is the proposed standardizedinterface. A standardized interface between the sampling system and the processfluid will relieve users and manufacturers from the costs and complications ofproprietary systems with varied designs and procedures. The standardizedinterface will be made available to interested parties. This paper presents anoverview of the sampling system development and testing.
