This paper will provide an introduction to the benefits of subsea boosting along with outlining a look back into the evolution of the technology development over the years. Furthermore, the paper will share an overview into the various Framo subsea boosting projects that have been completed throughout the last 25 years, totaling approximately 26 projects with 70 pumps being delivered within the major oil and gas regions around the globe.
The paper will highlight the evolution of the boosting technology from the first commercial subsea application to the latest emerging challenges presented in the complex, deep-water, high-pressure projects of the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa and Brazil.
Additional selected projects will be highlighted within the paper to provide a more detailed insight including the obstacles that have been faced along with lessons learned that were used to systematically improve the technology, safety and robustness of the designs.
In preparing for new challenges to come, the paper will demonstrate the steps that have been taken to lead the oil and gas industry in the development, qualification and installation of subsea boosting systems.
Development of the first subsea boosting systems began 25 years ago with the intentions to provide cost effective solutions to enable accelerated and prolonged production plateaus to economically marginal subsea fields. Subsea boosting provided the ability to tieback fields to existing production facilities, opening up greater potential of field development.
Through further gains in subsea boosting the industry saw the world's first subsea multiphase pump installed on the Shell operated Draugen field in 1994. The pump boosted the production 9 km to the main platform from the " Rogn South" satellite field. It helped to successfully increase the production by an additional 5,000 bopd, showing the true evidence of the capability and advantages of using this type of technology.
With the increasing number of subsea boosting systems installed operators are once again stretching the current technology while striving for new developments. With increasing subsea field developments and tieback distances comes an increasing demand to realize the potential of the technology.
