Subsea equipment and applications, a new and emerging technology

There is a new and emerging opportunity for control, safety, and electrical equipment in Subsea applications. In particular, placing equipment on the sea floor rather than the use of offshore platforms or shore based applications with long cable leads. Interest and participation in this new approach to oil production is increasing since this brings a number of major advantages in play versus the present more conventional approaches in use today for offshore oil fields. There are particular advantages to the Subsea processing particularly in the area of field economics. This paper will discuss the considerations in designing and applying control, safety, and electrical equipment for assets in deep water. Examples from wellhead manifold and compressor control will be covered. This will also include an examination of why this technology is better suited to some of the northern climates where these projects are located.