A new generation of fire-resistant wellhead equipment has been developed for offshore platforms. This paper presents the design concepts and principles of operation of this new equipment, and it describes the engineering approach taken during its development.

These new wellheads and Christmas trees have survived numerous laboratory fire tests which simulated offshore platform fire conditions. No leakage was permissible during the test burns nor during the subsequent cooldown periods. The laboratory fire test results confirmed the performance predicted by computer Finite Element Analysis and verified the design procedures employed.

This new fire resistant wellhead equipment promises to significantly reduce the fire hazard associated with the production of oil and gas from offshore platform wells.

Keywords:
leakage, upstream oil & gas, wellhead housing, completion installation and operations, expansion, configuration, specification, backseat, assembly, finite element analysis
Subjects:
Offshore Facilities and Subsea Systems, Completion Installation and Operations
Copyright 1984, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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