The Snøhvit project in the Barents Sea is a milestone in subsea oil and gas development, with a record breaking offset and all subsea facilities tied-back to shore.

The key elements of technology required to implement such a new development with a subsea Production Controls System qualified to operate over a distance of 220km are:

  • Long-range communications with no repeaters

  • Long-range supply of power at 3 kV

  • High data rate requirements

  • HV electrical and fibre-optic wet-mating connectors

  • A cost effective main umbilical

  • Diverse backup strategies

This paper will focus on the technical achievements in executing this ultra-long offset subsea-to-beach project which is now nearing completion.

  • The implementation of fibre-optic communications, subsea data routing, high voltage and power distribution technologies.

  • Back-up communications on Power "COPS" system

  • The Backup Intervention Control System (BUICS) designed for use in the event of main umbilical non-availability.

Keywords:
liquified natural gas, subsea production equipment, subsea system, modem 1, gas monetization, communication, LNG Plant, controls and umbilicals, LNG, connector
Subjects:
Offshore Facilities and Subsea Systems, Natural Gas Conversion and Storage, Subsea production equipment, Controls and umbilicals, Liquified natural gas (LNG)
Copyright 2006, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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