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Design of the Subsea Tree

Technical Report · December 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.15088.46086

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 Design of the Subsea Tree
Prakash Thapa
Centre for Risk, Integrity and Safety Engineering (C-RISE)
Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science
Memorial University, St John’s, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada

Abstract
The subsea tree is basically the connection between the wellhead and the flowline (or a manifold),
and it provides for well control during production. A tree can be installed on either a satellite well
and connected to a flowline, or it can be installed on a template drilled well and connected to piping
in the template or to a manifold. There is no fundamental difference between these types of trees.
This tutorial provides basic description and guidance for the design of subsea trees utilizing
conventional guideline installation and vertical well re-entry techniques. Guideline-less systems are
not covered in this tutorial. This tutorial does not cover mudline suspension systems, subsea
wellhead systems, subsea control systems, control umbilicals or flowlines. Subsea tree interfaces
with subsea controls, control umbilicals and flowline connections are addressed in the following
sections.

Introduction

The conventional tree is located above the mudline and would land on top of a marine wellhead with
conventional tubing hanger. The conventional tree will be used in most locations for either satellite
or template drilled wells, shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1: Subsea Satellite Tree

Version 0
Figure 2: Subsea Template Tree

Through-Bore Tree

The through-bore tree is similar to the conventional tree, except that the tree has a single bore large
enough that the tubing hanger and production or injection tubing can be retrieved through the tree.
This tree uses more seals and larger valves than the conventional tree. A few of the through-bore
trees have been installed (Argyll Field - Hamilton Brothers). The through-bore tree has been
manufactured in only one size (7 1/16 in diameter). Thus, the sizes available are limited, and
reliability and operability are less proven than the conventional tree.

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Caisson Tree

The caisson tree is located below the mudline inside of large diameter surface conductor casing with
the tubing hanger located downhole, and uses special connectors and valves. The caisson tree would
be used in areas where the potential is high for damage by objects dragging or sliding on the seafloor
(icebergs or ship anchors or fishing activity). One caisson tree has been installed (Brunei - Shell). A
caisson tree is shown in Figures 3 to 6.

Figure 3: Caisson Production/Injection Tree Assembly–1

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Figure 4: Caisson Production/Injection Tree Assembly–2

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Figure 5: Caisson Production Tree Connector/Valve Block

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Figure 6: Caisson Gate Valve Assembly–Plan View

Installation

Installation or retrieval of trees in either diver or driverless maintained systems is accomplished

using running tools. The tree running tool is a mechanical or hydraulic device that is attached to the
top of the tree. It forms the lower part of the completion or workover riser or the drill pipe used as
the handling string for the tree. Usually the running tool includes a means of hydraulic
communication with the control functions of the tree wellhead connector, valves and flowline
connector.

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A diver installed tree can utilize diver-made connectors between the riser (handling string) and the
tree, and between the tree and wellhead and the tree and flowline. Illustrations of diver installed
trees are shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7: Diver Installed Trees–1

Figure 8: Diver Installed Trees–2

A diverless system shall utilize remote controlled hydraulic operated connections. The connectors
can have internal hydraulic actuating cylinders, or the connector can be mechanical, and the actuator

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can be in the running tool. Equipment costs, installation costs, and long term reliability for the
specific application shall be the basis for deciding what functions, if any, are performed by the diver.
Control of tree functions is normally through a mandrel on the top of the tree. When the well is
producing, the tree cap makes the connection from the tree valves to the remote control umbilical
lines. When the tree cap is removed, the tree running tool connects both the workover riser and the
controls umbilical to the tree mandrel. This approach isolates the tree controls from the production
mode controls to guarantee control of the well to the workover crew.
The cost of the running tools for the subsea tree can be significant, so they shall be included as a cost
item when arriving at the initial investment. These running tools are normally purchased by the
operator, although, sometimes they can be rented from the tree/wellhead suppliers.

Maintenance

Component replacement for tree maintenance can be done by retrieving the tree to the surface, or by
replacing components on the tree in-situ. Recovering the tree is expensive, because a rig shall be
mobilized and the well may have to be killed. Replacing individual valves in-situ requires
packaging the valves to be handled by diver operated or remote controlled tools. Tree valve
replacement capability in-situ increases tree cost and requires purchase and storage of special tools.
Further, operating risks are increased because if a valve is ever removed from a tree in-situ and
cannot be successfully re-installed or blocked off, a serious workover problem is created. These
problems have prevented widespread use of trees with subsea replaceable valves.
Replacement of other components on subsea trees, such as chokes or control modules, may be
economically attractive. These components can be easily packaged to be disconnected by a diver or
an ROV and lifted or lowered by a lift line from a diver or ROV support vessel. The worst case
scenario would only require the tree to be pulled. If these individual components are to be retrieved,
the tree configuration shall insure they are accessible to a vertical lift and ROV access. Components
would be packaged so they can be disconnected, guided out and reconnected by the selected ROV.

Wellhead Type

The wellhead left by the drilling operation will either be a mudline suspension type(which would be
utilized from a jack-up drilling rig), or a marine wellhead (which would be used from a floating
drilling rig). The marine wellhead may have internal profiles to accept the tubing hanger.
(Exploration marine wellheads are frequently bought without tubing hanger profiles to reduce costs:
production marine wellheads have internal profiles, but for reliable use, they shall be protected by
wear bushings during drilling).
If the rig leaves a mudline suspension wellhead, or a marine wellhead without internal profiles or
where their condition is uncertain, then a cross-over adapter shall be utilized in order to prepare the
well for installation of a subsea tree. This cross-over adapter would include a marine connector on
the bottom suitable to interface with the casing tie-back of a mudline wellhead or the external profile
of the wellhead left by the floating drilling rig, and internal profiles which would accept the tubing
hanger. The top of the cross-over adapter shall be equipped with an external profile for the
connector that is to be used on the selected subsea tree. Note: this cross-over is a major expense, and
those planning drilling of any well that may be used for production shall be encouraged to use

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wellheads directly compatible with a subsea tree or tie-back assembly, and to document use of wear
bushings during drilling.

Pigging

The decision whether to provide for pigging of the tree flow loops will have been made in the
Design Basis or Functional Requirements before the start of the project. The type of pigs to be used
may be specified in the Design Basis, or selected by the project team in the Functional
Requirements.
Pigging can be accomplished by remote control by using a cross-over valve and a connecting loop
between at least two flowlines between the subsea tree and the surface facility. This requires that the
material removed from one line be pushed into the second line, and flushed to the surface by
circulation fluid either bypassing the pig or flowing through an additional cross-over valve. In
production system configurations using dual flowlines, one flowline can be pigged by stopping
production and pumping the pig from the surface with fluid and debris flowed back up another
flowline. If the flowlines are not the same size, the pig can be recovered to the surface by reversing
the circulation, or by restarting production. Alternately, a multi-diameter pig can be used to traverse
two flowlines that are relatively close to the same size.
If only one flowline is used, a pig can be launched from a seafloor pig launcher located on the subsea
equipment. The normally subsea tree are satellite well or on the template for template wells. The
pig launcher shall be filled with pigs periodically. This can be done by a diver in shallow water, or
by driverless techniques, i.e., use of an ROV in deeper water. The pigs can be installed in a
driverless system either one at a time or they can be carried to the location in a magazine which
holds multiple pigs. The multiple pig magazines requires interface with the remote control system,
or it shall be activated by a diver or an ROV.
Selection between pigging alternatives will depend on the pigging frequency, type of pig which must
be run through the system, the criticality of pigging on a regular interval, the remote control system
being used, the distance between the surface facility and the seafloor wells, the number of flowlines
needed for other production purposes, the availability of divers or remote operated vehicles at the
location on short notice and on the type of production problem that pigging is intended to prevent or
cure. For example, it is easy and inexpensive to design for use of a ball pig to squeegee water out of
low spots in the flowline. Use of a scraper pig to remove paraffin from the line is more difficult.

Tree Configuration

The physical arrangement of valves, chokes, control modules, flow connections, maintenance
interface and the support/protective structures of the tree are decided here. The decision needed for
tree system design are presented in Figure 9.

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Figure 9: Tree System Design
The tree and total subsea system flow schematic and the remote control schematic are needed in the
tree configuration. A schematic for a typical dual bore subsea tree is shown in Figure 10. Figure 11

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illustrates a typical single bore tree used with a tubing spool. These figures are for illustration
purposes only and shall not be construed as limitations to application. System design of satellite
trees shall require information on the flowline installation method. Design of trees to be used on
wells drilled through a template shall require knowledge of the manifold and template piping
configuration.

Figure 10: Example of Dual Bore Tree on Subsea Wellhead

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Figure 11: Example of Single Bore Tree on Mudline Tie-Back

Bores/access

The number of bores in the tree shall be based on the number of strings of production tubing run into
the well and whether vertical access to the annulus is required. If vertical annulus access through the
tree is not required, a side outlet wellhead can be used with a single bore tree. The tubing hanger can
be non-sealing (or concentric annulus) such that when installed, the annulus port in the tree
connector is always in communication with the well annulus. In either configuration, the single bore
tree and tubing hanger do not have to be aligned in azimuth (oriented).
If multiple tubing strings are used in the wellbore or if vertical annulus access is required, the tubing
hanger shall have a separate bore for each. For example, a dual completion or a TFL tree, where
vertical access to the annulus is required, three vertical bores would be required. The tree shall have
matching bores on the same spacing, and the tubing hanger and tree shall be oriented during
installation.
This decision is dictated by the completion design. During system design, the cost benefits of a
complex completion shall be weighed against initial cost and reliability/higher downtime and
operating costs. A single bore completion is less expensive and much simpler/reliable considering
the downhole completion equipment, the tree, the running tools and the riser, and the installation
time.

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Tree Connector

The wellhead connector for the tree can be either mechanically or hydraulically operated. A
mechanically operated connector requires diver or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) intervention
during tree installation, or use of a special running tool that operates the connector by hydraulics
mounted on the running tool (such as used in Exxon SPS project and Shell/Esso UMC project). A
hydraulic operated connector would be controlled by hydraulics through the completion or workover
riser system. A hydraulic connector is shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Hydraulic Connector

Mechanical connectors are less expensive than hydraulic connectors. However, it takes more rig
time to make or break a mechanical connector (since a diver or an ROV is typically required to make
up several bolts). Therefore, the "installed" cost of the mechanical and hydraulic connectors shall be
compared when making the tradeoff.

Stab Sub Seal

The stabs between the tree and tubing hanger for production or annulus can use metal or elastomeric
seals. Elastomeric seals are commonly used. Metal seals have been developed and used in recent
years, but they are more expensive. The SCSSV (surface controlled subsurface safety valve) stabs
between the tree and tubing hanger are only available with elastomeric seals; the tree suppliers have
not yet developed a metal SCSSV stab sub.

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Valve Block Assembly

The tree consists of master valves, wing valves, swab valves and crossover valves for both the
production and annulus bores. Other valuing could include SCSSV isolation valves, chemical
injection valves and well kill/service valves.
The decision of which valves are remotely controlled and fail safe, or manual/ROV operated, and the
direction of failsafe (open, closed) shall be made and described in the tutorial EPT 10-T-04 on
Subsea Production Systems, Section 5.0, and Subsea Well System Configuration. That information
shall be input to tree configuration. In general, most of the valves will be hydraulic actuated, fail
closed, refer to Figure 13. The crossover valve between production and test on a satellite tree might
be fail open to allow the flowlines to be flushed before a failed tree is removed. A lower master
valve, if two are used, in each tree bore would typically be manual or ROV operated. The SCSSV
insolation valves are also normally provided as manual valves. An adjustable choke could be
manual, if it is expected to be seldom used.

Figure 13: Gate Valve Actuator

If chemicals are to be injected into the tree, or downhole, the tree shall be connected to a supply line.
The supply line shall be equipped with a remote controlled valve. If the injection point is downhole,
a stab sub shall connect between the tree block and the downhole chemical line.
Mechanical arrangement of the valve assembly on the subsea tree can be individual valves flanged
or bolted together (stacked valves Figures 7 and 8), or manufactured into a single block (solid block

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Figure 14). In general, the stacked tree is used for relatively low pressure production in locations
where on-bottom fishing or other activities are not a threat to the integrity of the tree. The solid
block tree is utilized for more complex applications where well pressures may be high or where the
possibility of external damage is greater, and where the weather conditions are such that a floating
drilling rig or completion rig might not stay exactly over the well. The top of the valve assembly is
equipped with an external profile mandrel which is compatible with the tree cap connector and the
completion and workover rise system.

Figure 14: Subsea Tree Elevation–Front Elevation

Top re-entry to the valve assembly can be equipped with swab valves or with crown plugs to isolate
the vertical entry bores to the tree. Crown plugs are normally equipped with elastomeric seals.

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Crown plugs with metal seals have been developed by Otis and Vetco, but have received very little
commercial use. The argument for swab valves is that valves are faster to close and more reliable
than wireline set plugs. The argument for crown plugs and no swab valves is that crown plugs are
reliable and are less expensive than swab valves. Use of swab valves is the more conventional
approach that has been used by most operators of subsea wells.
Manual override of hydraulic actuated valves is a variation on the maintenance system. These
manual overrides could be used by either a diver or by a remote operated vehicle. If maintained by
ROV, it would be necessary to equip the valve stems with an interface suitable for the selected ROV.
A standardized interface has been defined and recorded in API SPEC 17D. Mobil ROV valve torque
tool interface are provided in Appendix A to MP 65-P-01 Subsea Trees and MP 65-P-04Subsea
Templates and Manifolds.
Use of a manual override is attractive to those who fear that hydraulic actuators are prone to frequent
failures. Also, government regulator's staffs sometimes push for manual override valves. In reality,
hydraulic actuators rarely, if ever, fail, if they are bought to reasonable quality control specifications
and tested on land prior to installation subsea. Use of manual override adds mechanism which
reduces reliability of the valve. In some designs, manual override introduces failure modes which
can prevent a valve from "failing safe." The manual override complicates tree configuration and adds
cost to provide diver or ROV access. In the past, the valves themselves are more expensive.
However, many operators have specified manual override in recent years, and suppliers are starting
to try to charge extra for valves with no override.
This "decision" would involve selecting components and arranging the tree to accommodate the
selected maintenance concept.

Tree Cap

The tree cap can be a non-sealing corrosion cap for marine growth protection only, or it can seal the
individual bores or the entire top of the tree. Depending upon the subsea equipment maintenance
concept which has been chosen, the connector on a sealing tree cap can be either manually operated
by a diver or a remote operated vehicle, or hydraulically actuated by remote control from the surface.
A corrosion cap leaves only the swab valves or crown plugs as barriers to flowing pressure. A
sealing tree cap requires a method to test for pressure under the tree cap. If crown plugs are used,
and also if swab valves are used, the sealing tree cap shall have provisions for venting during
installation to avoid hydraulic lock. This test or vent port is a potential leak path, with probably
lower reliability than the rest of the tree. A common choice is to use swab valves and a sealing tree
cap. Illustration of a tree cap is shown in Figure 15.

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Figure 15: Tree Cap

Overall Configuration

In tree configuration, if "manual" override valves or "manual" adjustable chokes are used, the valve
block shall be stacked so far as is practical to face all those valves or chokes to one side and to
provide access for the diver or ROV. For template wells, all decisions shall be based on keeping all
tree components within the clear well bay area, where a BOP stack on an adjacent well will not
cause interference. Also, it is usually best to face all valves toward the outside of the template. This
minimizes need for support for ROV interface fixtures which block the view of the tree.
Next, the flowline connection and required diver or running tool access shall be defined. Ideally, the
connection will be placed to make the flow piping as smooth as possible with minimum bends and
no fluid traps. If the control module is located on the tree, it can be located on the "cleanest" side of
the tree accessible by divers, vertical running tools or the maintenance vehicle. It is often best to
locate it above and to one side of the flow connection because that side will be relatively clear of
obstructions.

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A pig launcher, if used, shall be located outboard of the tree guidepost and inboard of the flowline
connection. It is likely that, in a guideline system, another pair of guideposts may be required,
depending on the flowline installation method used.
The satellite guide frame or template well bay will mate with the BOP and trees to provide coarse
alignment, and intermediate alignment. For guideline systems, it will have guideposts. The space
between guideposts shall be clear to pass any parts of the BOP or tree which extend downward to
within 6 ft of the wellhead. It may have a porch to support the flowline connection and the pig
launcher, if used. The well bay of a satellite well may also have provision for a pile foundation if the
soils are very soft, if lateral damage protection loads are high or must not be absorbed by the well
casing, and if the pig launching and flowline porch are large.

Material Selection

Materials for the tree valves, components, and seals shall be dictated by the composition of the
produced fluid. Partial pressures are used to evaluate the specified H2S and CO2 contents against the
requirements of NACE MR0175, API SPEC 6A, and past experience (of both the operator and
equipment supplier) to determine if normal steels or whether corrosion resistant alloys shall be
required. Tree valve blocks and tubing hangers are typically made from heat treated steel,
martinsitic stainless steel or duplex steel. Special coatings and cladding are other material
alternatives.

Tree Control Interface

The potential mechanical interfaces between controls and the tree are the umbilical connection, the
routing of tree control lines and the control module base.

Umbilical Connection

The umbilical from the surface to a satellite well or the on-template control lines to a template well
will connect direct to the tree, direct to the control module, or either with or separate and in parallel
with the flowline connection.
For satellite wells, in diver depth, hydraulic control umbilicals can be connected underwater, one
line at a time direct to a terminal plate on the tree: individual lines in the umbilical would be
connected to the corresponding line on the plate. Alternatively, the umbilical can be terminated with
a plate which matches the plate on the tree. Each line in the umbilical would be equipped with a
hydraulic quick disconnect in each plate. The plates would have alignment pins to assure correct
orientation, and would be pulled together by bolts or an over-center latch. If a multiplexed
electrohydraulic control system is used, a control module would probably be located on the tree. In
this case, the umbilical would be terminated with a plate carrying both hydraulic and electrical
connectors. This plate would be installed by the diver. If separate electric and hydraulic lines are
used, two connection plates would be needed.
For satellite wells in diverless water depth, a control umbilical could be connected directly to the tree
and run as the tree is installed. Alternately, the tree would be equipped with a base plate and the
umbilical would be equipped with a termination shaped like a control module which could be
connected using a tree cap running tool or a special vertical running tool. Another approach is to use
special hydraulically operated pull-in tool to pull in the umbilical, make the connection and conduct

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a pressure test. In an electrohydraulic control system, the umbilical termination would be the control
module, and be run with and connected to the base using the control module running tool. The
control umbilical could also be laid and connected separately or with the flowlines.
Template trees can be connected by diver or ROV installed jumper lines from a junction box on a
template or manifold direct to the tree or control module, or through or with the flow connection.
Direct connection would use termination plates similar to those described for satellite trees. If the
control lines are routed through the template or manifold, the hydraulic connection would be made
through the flow connector, and electric connections through a parallel flange mounted with the flow
connection and aligned and connected by the flow connector.
Orientation of the controls connection would typically be horizontal if diver made or made up by
hydraulic pull-in tools. It would be vertical if made using vertical running tools, and it would be of
the same orientation as the flow connector if connected with the flow connector. The type of
hydraulic and electric connectors and the type of seals (elastomeric or metal) would be discussed in
the tutorial EPT 10-T-02 on Subsea Controls. NOTE: Consideration shall be given to mechanically
anchor the umbilical to the tree or template. This is especially important in a hydraulic control
system incorporating quick disconnect fittings, because separation of the quick disconnect fittings
could cause a non-failsafe condition of the tree. This prevents installation or snag loads on the
umbilical from separating the connection.

Control Module Base

If a piloted hydraulic or electrohydraulic control system is used, and the control module is located on
the tree, either the module shall be replaceable only with the tree, or the base shall be located so that
the module is accessible by vertical running tools or lift lines and an ROV, as required for separate
module replacement. It shall also be mounted with sufficient structural strength to withstand
dropped object loads, tree installation shock loads (if run with a tree).

On-Tree Control Line Routing

Hydraulic and electric lines from the control module base or, if there is no control module on the
tree, the umbilical connections lines, can be routed directly to the valve, choke, or sensor which is
being controlled, or to a control "manifold" at the tree cap. Routing directly to the controlled
function saves a set of connectors and much of the on-tree piping. Routing of hydraulic lines to the
tree cap, through a jumper in the cap, and back down to the controlled function, provides capability
to transfer tree and well control from the remote production control system to the workover control
system during well completion and re-entry. Separating production control and workover control is
common practice and may be a management requirement to the Design Basis.

Flowline Connection Interface

Alternate Configurations

Satellite well flowlines can be installed by vertical initiation at the well and laid away, they can be
pulled directly into the well and latched in place, or they can be laid or pulled to near the well and
laid on the seafloor. The vertical initiation can use flexible pipe connected to the tree on the surface
with tree and flowline installed together, or can use a hinge termination whereby the pipe is lowered
vertically (guideline or guideline-less), landed on the well base, and hinged into place as the pipe is

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laid away. Once the pipe is in place, by either the vertical hinged method or direct pull-in method, it
can be connected to the tree direct or by using a spool piece connection. When the pipe end is laid
or pulled in and left on the seafloor, it shall be connected to the tree by a spool piece. In all methods
where the flowline is connected subsea to the tree, the line can be installed before or after the tree is
installed. Selection between the Flowline Connection Systems is discussed in the tutorial EPT 10-T-
06 on Subsea Pipeline and Flowline Connection.
A template well tree would be connected to piping from the base structure or from a manifold. The
tree can connect directly to the piping using a connector, or it can be connected by a spool piece.

Pipe Flexing

The connector and the connection method choices for use between the tree and the flowline shall set
the specifications for the flow loop configuration on the tree. This flow loop shall have sufficient
flexibility to accommodate any thermal stresses that will occur and to accommodate the stroke that is
necessary for makeup of the flowline connection. Structural analysis is required to determine the
length of pipe that must flex to absorb the required movement, using the pipe wall required for the
design pressure and a material consistent with the tree requirements.

Flow Base

A flow base (or tubing hanger spool) is a structural piece that lands on the wellhead and obtains
spacing and orientation from the guide posts or guideline-less guidance system. It contains a spool
piece with connections on one end for a flowline and a wellhead profile on the other end for the tree.
Flowline bases can be used when it is desired to use vertical tree flow connection, and to retain
ability to install and remove the tree or the flowline independently in any order. Flow base is not
needed for this purpose where horizontal connectors are used.
Flow bases can be also used on a well template system whenever it is desirable to remove
responsibility for well bay dimensions from the template fabricator. The cost of using a flow base is
the cost of the base, the extra set of connection and seals, the rig time to install it, diver, ROV or
running tool cost, and the loss in reliability of the extra seals. In short, a flow base shall be used only
when a vertical connection plus the flow base is less expensive than a horizontal connection, and
when it is expected that the flowlines or manifold will have to be replaced more often than the tree
needs to be retrieved, or when a template fabricator must be used who cannot be trusted to build
dimensionally correct well bays into the structure.

Seal Materials

Elastomeric or metal seals can be used in vertical flow connections for relatively low pressures.
Elastomeric seals with a non-latching connector are frequently used. The metal seal developed for
tree-to-tubing hanger production stabs could also be used. Since these connections are usually off-
center to the well, the force required to initiate stab-in-well tend to "cock" the tree to one side and
prevent landing. This tendency will be worse with metal seals.
Vertical flow connections for high pressures are either the direct stab type with a separate latching
mechanical connector, or a small version of the hydraulic actuated wellhead connector. The
hydraulic actuated connectors normally use metal seals.

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Horizontal flow connections utilize metal seals, almost universally. Modern flowline connection
systems, diver made or diverless, would have to be redesigned to use elastomeric seals.
To obtain the benefit of any metal seal, it shall be preloaded and held in position to prevent motion
between the seal and sealing surface during the life of the equipment.
Selection between vertical and horizontal connections and between the five flowline connection
methods described above shall be based on cost and risk. A vertical connection direct to piping will
often be best for a template tree when corrosion is not expected to damage the manifold: the
connector will be the lowest cost and minimum rig time is required. For a satellite well, in diver
depth, a vertical connector using a flow base may be best. Fishing or small boat activity is likely to
damage the flowlines, and replacement without removing the tree is desirable. For template tree
connecting to replaceable piping or a manifold, or for connection of a flowline pulled in or hinged, a
diverless horizontal connection may be the best. The running tool for the diverless connection
system is expensive, but it will accommodate large dimensional tolerance in the subsea equipment,
and the rig time saved and the lower risk of remobilization may justify the cost. As with umbilicals,
flowlines shall be latched to the base or structure. This will prevent installation or snag loads from
acting on the connector or the piping to which it is attached. This will maintain a known interface
for reconnect when replacing the damaged flowline.

Protective Structure

A protective structure is often required to protect the tree from commercial fishing activity, anchor
and anchor line damage and dropped objects. It will be built directly over a satellite or cluster tree or
over the well bay for template trees. Various designs have been proposed, (steel, concrete,
foam/plastic, and fiberglass), but only steel protective structures have been widely used. The cover
of the structure shall also be easy to remove during drilling, completion and workovers in order to
gain easy access to the tree and shall not, during its installation, be a dropped object hazard to any
adjacent well bay, manifold, or flowline.

Appendix A–Nomenclature

Driverless System

A system of subsea components or subsystems designed or configured to be installed, maintained,

and operated remotely without the use of divers. Diverless system may also include some ROV
Assist Components and Subsystems

Diver Assist System

A system of subsea components or subsystems designed or configured to be installed and maintained

with the use of divers. These systems are generally operated remotely, however divers may operate
some back- up or contingency functions.

ROV Assist System

A system of subsea components or subsystems designed or configured to be remotely connected,

operated, or maintained by the use of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

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Subsea Well Template

A seabed founded structure that provides a guide for drilling and/or support for other subsea
equipment, and provisions for establishing a foundation (piled or gravity base). A subsea well
template is used to group several subsea wells at a single location. The template may be unitized or
modular in design.

Production Control System (PCS)

The production control system provides the means to safely control operation of the tree. Production
control functions typically include opening/closing downhole, tree and flowline valves, control
subsea chokes, shut in production due to abnormal flow conditions, and operate production related
utility functions.

Installation/Workover Control System (IWCS)

An installation/workover control system provides the means to control the subsea equipment
functions for:
1. Initial installation and testing of the subsea tree.
2. Operations during vertical reentry for well servicing.
3. Retrieval and/or reinstallation of the tree for major well workover.
Installation and workover controls are generally designed to actuate all of the normal production
functions, as well as functions restricted to installation and workover. Examples of restricted
functions are connectors latch/unlatch, vertical well bore assess, and DHSV control line isolation
valve open/close.

Satellite Subsea Tree

Is an individual assembly of remotely controlled valves to interrupt or direct well stream flow when
necessary for operational or safety reasons. The tree provides pressure integrity between the
wellhead and flowline that transports fluids to a surface facility.

Mudline Suspension System

A drilling system consisting of a series of housings used to support casings strings at the mudline,
installed from a bottom-supported rig using a surface BOP. Mudline casing suspension systems are
designed to be used with bottom supported drilling rigs. They can be completed with a subsea tree if
the proper adaptation is made. An adaptor is provided to give a profile for the tubing hanger and an
attachment profile for the tree.

Subsea Wellhead System

A drilling system consisting of a series of housings, usually a conductor housing and a wellhead
housing which is pressure containing that provides a means for suspending and sealing the well
casing strings installed during a floating drilling operation. The subsea wellhead supports and seals
casing strings support the blowout preventer stack (BOP) during drilling and workover operations

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 and the tree after completion. The subsea wellhead is designed to accommodate casings landing,
sealing and completion operations remotely from the surface.

References

The following Mobil guides and industry publications shall be considered a part of this EPT. Refer
to the latest editions unless otherwise specified herein.

API–American Petroleum Institute

API RP 17A Recommended Practice for Design and Operation of Subsea

Production Systems Second Edition
API SPEC 6A Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment
Seventeenth Edition
API SPEC 17D Specification for Subsea Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment
First Edition; Supplement 1 - 1993, Supplement 2 - 1996

NACE–National Association of Corrosion Engineers

NACE MR0175 Sulfide Stress Cracking Resistant Metallic Materials for Oilfield
Equipment

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