The complete paper describes the key flow-assurance challenges for a deepwater gasfield development in the South China Sea and the considerations and steps taken to achieve an overall flow-assurance-management strategy. The discussion covers early-stage feasibility studies through the stage of project execution at the time of writing. In addition, flow-assurance analysis is highlighted as a key input for startup and commissioning guidelines as well as operating procedures.
Project Background
This gasfield development consists of a semisubmersible more than 100 km offshore in the South China Sea. The water depth is approximately 1500 m, with a minimum seabed temperature of less than 4°C. The design incorporates Eastern and Western production loops spanning more than 40 km of the subsea production system (SPS) in total.
