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OMAE2014
June 8-13, 2014, San Francisco, California, USA
OMAE2014-24240
Ricky Thethi
2H Offshore Inc.
Houston, TX, U.S.A
Tensioner System
Lower Stress Joint with Lower Stress Joint with
integral tieback connector integral flange connection
profile
Figure 2 Lower Stress Joint prior to Integration with TBC
DESIGN CONSIDERATION
The design of a TTR is specific to each field development.
The requirements associated with each field will vary based on Figure 4 Dual Casing Configuration
the environmental, regulatory requirements and reservoir
properties. The following sections discuss key design As previously discussed, ultra-deep water and HP
parameters of a TTR in ultra-deep water. reservoirs drive riser systems to use a heavier wall thickness to
resist the larger tension and pressure loads resulting in
Barrier Philosophy increased overall system weight and overall payload on the
A key design consideration for a production top tensioned production platform.
riser system is the selection of a single casing (one casing pipe While the weight increase associated with a dual casing
+ one tubing) or dual casing TTR system (two casing pipes + riser may be a disadvantage, a benefit of a dual casing system is
one tubing). Top tensioned risers for dry tree arrangements may
The final assessment is to increase the material yield Figure 9 Wet Weight for Dual Non Standard Casing with
strength for the outer casing. For maximum weight reduction, Varying Outer Riser Material
the inner casing material is selected at 125 ksi (Q125) and the
outer casing material is assessed at 80 ksi, 95 ksi (T95), 110 ksi Combining the three weight saving strategies (non-
(C110) and 125 ksi (Q125). Figure 8 shows the minimum standard sizes and the selection of Q125 material for the outer
required wall thickness sizing for the outer casing with varying and inner casing), the reduction in the in-water weight per riser
material and Figure 9 shows the weights savings in mass per in 10,000 ft of water depth is up to 71% of the total riser weight
unit length. using standard casing in 80ksi. If an Operator is considering a
The maximum reduction in wall thickness for the outer production system with 15 TTRs, the total payload savings of
riser reduces from 1.58 to 0.83 when increasing the material the production platform is up to 24,430 mT.
yield strength from 80 ksi to 125 ksi. To maintain a constant It is noted that the use of C110 or Q125 as an outer riser
outer riser bore diameter from the topside equipment (surface casings or a Q125 inner riser casing has not been utilized to
wellhead) to the subsea equipment (subsea wellhead), the date on a Spar or TLP development currently operating.
reduction in wall thickness will reduce the OD of the outer Advancements in manufacturing, testing and adjustment to
casing. industry codes have increased the industrys confidence to use
The wet weight savings when increasing from 80 ksi to high strength materials for production TTR systems in ultra-
125 ksi yield strength material is 100 lb/ft per unit length. The deep water and HP/HT reservoirs. The following sections
total weight savings per risers in 10,000 ft of water depth is 457
Figure 12 Production TTR Stack Up with Integral T&C In order to acquire acceptable statistical test data, the
Connections on Forgings industry standard for fatigue testing T&C connection is to test
six (6) samples per connection type. The six (6) samples will be
SUMMARY
The production of hydrocarbons in ultra-deep water in
HP/HT wells is pushing conventional TTR design and
equipment to the limits. Regulatory requirements to incorporate
dual casing systems into TTR designs for the Gulf of Mexico
will increase riser system weights and require vessel payload
capacities to increase. Utilization of higher yield strength
material and non-welded T&C connections will help to manage
these additional payload requirements. Industry specifications
are now addressing the manufacturing and testing requirements
needed for high strength steel for use in dynamic production
riser applications. Interface management, supply chain models
and the required qualification test requirements are critical
inputs in the decision making process in order to utilize high
strength steel riser joints.
REFERENCES
[1] API Recommended Practice for Design of Risers
for Floating Production Systems and TLPs. API RP
2RD, 1st Edition, June 1998, Reaffirmed May 2006
[2] API Specification for Casing and Tubing. API
5CT, 9th Edition, July 2011
[3] Walters, D, Thethi, R, 2H Offshore Inc A Step
Change, Application of Threaded and Coupled
Connections. OPT USA, 2002
[4] Sches, C, Dekervel, A V&M Tubes, France, Caron, O,
V&M USA Corporation, Houston Development
and Validation With Testing of a High Strength Steel
Fatigue Resistant Threaded & Coupled Premium