Subsea Pumping NTL
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 00:00
On Nov. 21, 2011, BSEE issued a Notice to Lessees (NTL 2011 N-11) that discussed subsea pumping for production operations. It clarified that adding subsea pumping as a recovery method requires revision of the deepwater operations plan (DWOP).
The notice defines the information requirements for DWOPs and revised DWOPs. BSEE is specifically interested in defining mitigating factors when the subsea pump system, in a dead head situation, is capable of exceeding the maximum allowable operating pressure of the pipeline. It also requests information on specific maintenance, inspection, and testing plans for these pump systems.
The NTL describes examples of equipment and procedures that meet current expectations for safe operation. However, BSEE said it will consider each DWOP, revised DWOP, pipeline application, and/or production safety system application on a case-by-case basis.
In an appendix, BSEE provided maximum acceptable valve closure times and recommended valve closure testing intervals.
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