Subsea 101

SUBSEA 101
The purpose of this document is to help define some of the
rationale behind the selection of a subsea tree configuration in a
theoretical field for a project we are calling Project X. This section
provides an example of the approach that our teams use to tailor
our recommendations to the unique requirements of every project.
The criteria in this document are specific to the deepwater high
current environment in the UK North Sea. For other basins in
the world, some of these criteria may or may not be valid.

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Subsea 101

Approach
Option Identification
The water depth on Project X, circa 3,280 ft
(1,000 m), requires the use of BHGE’s
deepwater tree family – our established DHXT
deepwater horizontal tree, DVXT deepwater
vertical tree, or our Aptara™ Lightweight
Compact Tree, the newest variant of the
vertical configuration, which has also been
assessed due to its 10,000 ft (3,048 m) water
depth rating.
Subsea production trees can be segmented
into two main types: horizontal and vertical.
Horizontal trees are so called because the
primary valves are arranged in a horizontal
configuration (allowing easier access to the
wellbore), and conversely Vertical Trees have
the primary valves arranged in a vertical
configuration (above the wellbore). Refer
to the figures below.
The original designs of subsea vertical trees
and tubing hangers were of a dual bore
configuration. Prior to removal of the blowout
preventer (BOP), it was necessary to set plugs
in both the production and annulus bores using
complex dual bore risers. The current BHGE
DVXT systems provide access to the “A”
annulus through the tree design. This access to
the “A” annulus is controlled by gate valves for
vertical tree (VXT) on Tubing Head Spool (THS)
and annulus isolation devices for VXT on
Wellhead, rather than plugs. This enables
operations with a monobore, less complex riser,
or landing string with BOP on tree, delivering
significant advantages in deepwater.

3,280 ft
3,280ft (1,000m) water depth for Project X
 Subsea 101

BHGE’s latest tree design, the Aptara™ VXT (dual bore) on wellhead HXT on wellhead
Lightweight Compact Tree is a vertical tree
(VXT) configuration but with a new innovative
flow path that reduces the effective height of
Master Valve
the tree while providing footprint and weight Production Wing Master Valve Production Master Block (MVB)
benefits as well as improving life of field Valve (PWV) Block (MVB) Valve (PMV)
functionality and affording the same installation
benefits of a traditional vertical tree. Refer Crown Plugs
to page 28 in section 2.
Deepwater Vertical Trees (DVXT) Production Master
The DVXT or Aptara™ systems can be provided Valve (PMV) Production
Wing Valve Tubing Hanger
in two configurations: tree on Wellhead or (PWV)
tree on THS:
Connector Connector
• Aptara™ & DVXT on THS. The THS is landed HP Wellhead
on the wellhead prior to running the Tubing Hanger
HP Wellhead
completion and TH into the well. “A” – Annulus
isolation is achieved by a valve in the THS. The Casing Hangers Casing Hangers
TH is passively orientated by the THS. The THS LP Wellhead
permits the flowline connection to be moved LP Wellhead
off the tree onto the THS.
• Aptara™ & DVXT on Wellhead. The
completion and TH can be installed after
drilling the well, with the TH landing in the
upper casing hanger. “A” – Annulus isolation
is achieved by a hydraulically operated
Annulus Isolation Device (AID) in the TH.
TH orientation is actively achieved with a Tree Selection
hydraulically actuated BOP pin that engages
DHXT DVXT
with a helix and slot in the Tubing Hanger
• Passive TH orientation • Active/passive TH orientation
Running and Orientation Tool (THROT)
• Most mature solution • Mast maturity solution
within the landing string.
• Requires multiple BOP trips • Can minimize BOP trips
Deepwater Horizontal Trees (DHXT) • Crown plug barriers • Gate valve barriers
• The DHXT is installed on the wellhead prior • Least flexible weather window installation • Flexible weather window installation
to running the completion and TH into the • Must pull completion to pull XT • Can pull XT without touching completion
well. TH lands in the DHXT internal profile. • Average weight • Average weight
“A” – Annulus isolation is achieved by a valve • Maximizes WH fatigue • Maximizes WH fatigue
in the DHXT. The TH is passively orientated • Lowest CAPEX potentially higher OPEX
by the DHXT.
Drill-through DHXT has not been considered as On THS On Wellhead
existing infrastructure prevents its deployment, • Higher stack-up so worse for • Lower stack-up so better for
and Casing hanger arrangement is required to wellhead fatigue wellhead fatigue
land the Production casing string through the • Passive TH alignment • Active TH alignment (BOP Mod required)
tree head and into the wellhead. This system • 1 more BOP trip • One less BOP trip
would not be compatible with the existing • Reduced installation flexibility as THS • Greater installation flexibility (if all ball
Appraisal Wellhead System. on critical path valves used) as THS not on critical path
• Highest CAPEX, lower OPEX • Medium CAPEX, lower OPEX, lowest
TOTEX
 Subsea 101

Evaluation Criteria Lifecycle Stage Functional Criteria Commercial Criteria

A range of criteria has been identified that
Design and Manufacture Wellhead Fatigue CAPEX
covers the tree performance from its initial
design, through installation, operation, Lead Time
intervention, and finally decommissioning. Installation Equipment Required
Assessments made against these criteria are Flexibility/Options Afforded
predominantly qualitative in nature but where Barrier Philosophy
possible initial quantitative assessments of Sequencing and Durations
likely economic impact have been captured in Operation Reliability OPEX
the commercial section.
Downhole Functions
The criteria are shown in the table opposite. Pressure and Temperature Sensing
For each functional criterion a brief discussion is Annulus Access
provided on the relative merits or limitations of Intervention Light Intervention
the tree configuration options available, Heavy Workover
followed by a ranking assessment. Tree Repair
For the commercial criteria, assessments are Well Kill
made against scenarios associated with the Decommissioning Tree Retrieval
likely activities. Where information is not known,
the assumptions made are clearly stated. 

A new innovative flow

path reduces the
footprint and weight of
the tree. It also allows
for improved life of field
functionality through
the life of field cap.
 Subsea 101
Functional assessments
Design and Manufacture
Wellhead Fatigue Impact
Due to the harsh environmental conditions in
the UK North Sea, the potential for wellhead
fatigue is high and, where practicable, the
selected subsea solutions should minimize this
risk. Fatigue damage accumulated in the well
will  be cumulative across all BOP operations
conducted upon it. Therefore, fatigue damage
accumulated during drilling and completion
detracts from the available fatigue capacity for
future workovers and plug and abandonment
operations. This is a key driver for other
operators to move away from HXTs in the UK
North Sea to VXTs on wellhead.
Having the BOP connected directly onto the
wellhead (rather than onto either a DHXT or THS
located between the wellhead and BOP) ensures
that the lowest possible bending moment is
applied to the wellhead, reducing the level of
applied fatigue damage. Having a tree or THS
between the wellhead and BOP can typically
reduce the fatigue life of a wellhead system
by as much as 25%.
Verdict – Wellhead Fatigue
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
 3rd 1st  2nd 1st
VXT (WH) scores the highest by having the BOP
connected directly to the wellhead.
Key
1st Product ranked first
 
 2nd Product ranked second
 3rd Product ranked third
Drilling and Completion Schedule Alignment and the Emergency Disconnect Package (EDP). barriers. This is particularly advantageous for
The intent of the project is to run the In a similar fashion to the subsea test tree, the VXT on Wellhead, as actuation of the
completions within eight months and for the this system enables the drilling rig or vessel to barrier valves is faster than the deployment of
first tree to be installed in 18 months, with safely disconnect from the well in the event of wireline plugs (reducing online rig time) and
subsequent trees delivered monthly thereafter. an emergency. WCP/EDP packages and this also permits the rig to depart the well after
associated open water riser systems the completion installation. All the XT
Both the HXT and THS need to be installed
represent considerable capital investments, installation activities can therefore be
on the wellhead prior to running the upper
typically in the order of tens of millions of conducted off-line from the rig scopes of work
completion and TH putting the THS or HXT on
dollars. By comparison, SSTT can be rented on by a lower cost installation vessel.
the critical path. The VXT on Wellhead option
the open market on a per day or per well Verdict – Installation – equipment required
facilitates the installation of the upper
basis. As a result, they have a much lower
completion and TH in the wellhead, thereby HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
capital impact, and this was one of the key
decoupling the XT or THS delivery from offshore
drivers for developing a similar approach for  2nd 1st 1st 1st
completion schedules and de-risking the overall
monobore VXT systems to eliminate the need
project schedule.
for the costly dedicated test package and
Verdict – Drilling Schedule Alignment (lead time) open water riser. VXT (WH) and (THS) score the highest as the use
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH) of actuated completion barrier valves reduce the
Using hydraulically actuated suspension amount of wireline activities and reduce on-line
 3rd 1st  2nd 1st barrier ball valves that can be closed and rig time required offshore.
tested during the completion installation, and
then opened after VXT installation, eliminates
VXT (WH) scores the highest as neither the tree the need for the LRP/EDP packages, as wireline
or THS is required prior to offshore installation intervention is not required to remove these
of the completion.
Installation
Equipment Required
Both DHXT and DVXT systems require the use of
a specific suite of rental tooling. The DVXT
tooling package requires more tooling than the
HXT system and is therefore slightly more
expensive. Both systems use a casing or
“landing string” to run the completion through
the BOP.
• DHXT – The completion is normally run on
a Subsea Test Tree (SSTT) within the marine
riser and the tubing hanger is landed within
the horizontal tree. Once the TH is landed in
the tree, and the completion set, tested and
the well cleaned up, wireline deployed crown
plugs are located and tested in the TH.
• DVXT – Well clean up, well testing and
removal of wireline deployed barriers on a
well that is intended for a vertical tree has
traditionally only been carried out after the
well has been suspended, the BOP removed,
and the tree installed. Well access is achieved
via a dedicated test package and open water
riser. This test system comprises two main
assemblies, the Well Control Package (WCP)
Subsea 101

Flexibility Reducing the amount of time that the rig is on

Operational weather windows for rig and SURF each well allows plans to be re-prioritized (e.g.
installation activities are very short in harsh fast track drilling and completion activities can
environments. Therefore, a key driver for subsea be scheduled or a change in the order of activities
system selection is to minimize or remove with short notice can be made to capitalize on
scopes of work carried out on the rig. Reducing opportunities). DHXT and DVXT on THS make
rig time at each well will also help to ‘clear the this very difficult, whereas DVXT on WH allows
field’ and create longer SURF installation a higher flexibility in the rig operations.
windows. This will maximize value at the rig by Verdict – Installation – flexibility
making it available earlier for other scopes of
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
work, and allowing dynamic re-prioritization and
planning to maintain the overall schedule.  3rd 1st  2nd 1st
Also, de-coupling major SPS hardware deliveries
(tree and/or THS) from the rig activities VXT (WH) scores the highest by minimizing the
minimizes the risk of potential hardware delays rig time spent on the well.
affecting the rig schedule.
• DHXT – requires the tree to be installed on the
wellhead between drilling the well and prior to
completion installation. This increases the time
spent on the well by the rig.
• VXT – on THS requires the THS to be installed
on the wellhead between drilling the well and
prior to completion installation. This increases
the time spent on the well by the rig.
• VXT – on wellhead – the full completion can be
installed in the wellhead without the tree. This
reduces the time spent on the well by the rig.

Reducing rig time at each well will

also help to ‘clear the field’ and create
longer SURF installation windows.
 Subsea 101

Barrier Philosophy Well suspension diagram with vertical TH in Project X completion

Two types of well barrier for suspension wellhead and ball valve barriers in completion
are available depending upon the tree Well status (prior to XT installation)
system selected: TH Primary barrier elements
AID
Suspension Element Qualification Monitoring
VXT systems Cap
After the well has been drilled to TD (prior to Upper completion – Orbit Pressure tested from Periodic ROV monitoring
VXT installation) the lower completion can be barrier valve above safety above
run, and formation isolated using a tubing valve (ball valve, control
deployed downhole barrier valve – CBV Barrier line operated)
Valve (ball valve, hydraulically opened by TRSCSSV Inflow tested Active barrier: inflow
applying tubing pressure cycles). tests/function tests
TRSCSSV
Orbit Barrier are required
The upper completion is installed with an Orbit Valve
Valve (Hydraulically operated, Bi-directional Gas lift mandrel Inflow test of check A-annulus pressure
downhole barrier ball valve). It is operated by valves during completion
two hydraulic lines through the TH, installation CIV w/ injection line/valve Inflow test of check A-annulus pressure
tooling and DVXT. valves during completion
Production packer Pressure tested from A-annulus pressure
This permits the BOP to be removed after
above and below
completing the well with two tested barriers
in place that can then be opened after VXT Casing cement Job performance, Not accessible
installation and eliminates the need for wireline cement bod log and FIT
Secondary barrier elements
recovery of these barriers via an open water
WCP/EDP system. Element Qualification Monitoring
Tubing hanger annulus Pressure tested from Periodic ROV monitoring
isolation device above
Lower completion – CBV Pressure tested from Not accessible
CBV Barrier Valve barrier valve (ball valve, above
hyd opened)
Wellhead Pressure tested Not accessible
Casing hanger Pressure tested Not accessible
Casing Pressure tested Not accessible
Casing cement Job performance, Not accessible
cement bod log and FIT

Note: All pressures to be defined during well design. SPS hardware rated to 10ksi.
 Subsea 101

A typical well suspension diagram with Typical subsea production well with horizontal production tree DVXT systems
a DHXT and Crown Plugs. The BOP will be installed on the DHXT prior to
Primary barrier elements running the completion. The Tubing Hanger and
Well barrier elements Comments completion will be landed, suspended, locked
Production packer 7 and sealed within the HXT internal profile. Main
Completion string 25 Production tubing between barriers to the well bore are by wireline installed
production packer and SCSSV Crown Plugs. The Crown Plugs are landed, locked
SCSSV 8 SCSSV 1 or SCSSV 2 and sealed in profiles in the TH bore.
Secondary barrier elements Verdict – Barrier Philosophy
Well barrier elements HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
Casing cement 22
 2nd 1st 1st 1st
Casing 2
Wellhead 5 Including casing hanger
Tubing hanger 10 VXT (WH) and (THS) score the highest by using
remotely operated ball valve barriers in the
Tubing hanger plug 11
completion, thereby eliminating the requirement
Subsea production tree 31 w/AMV and PMV to run and recover wireline plugs.
 Subsea 101
Sequencing and Durations
The high-level operational activities and a review
of the additional number of BOP trips required for
each system are as follows:
DHXT System or VXT with THS System
The following sequence would be typically
required for the initial drilling and completion of
each well, for a non-drill through DHXT or DVXT
with THS:
1. 36-inch Conductor Housing and extension
installed by vessel.
2. Top hole activities drilled by the selected
Dynamic Positioning (DP) rig. 18-3/4-inch HP
Wellhead Housing c/w 20-inch extension and
13-3/8-inch casing string run open water and
installed in the well and landed, locked and
cemented.
3. BOP installed on the wellhead.
4. Well drilled and 10-3/4-inch Casing Hanger c/w
10-3/4-inch – 9-5/8-inch casing string run
through the marine riser and BOP. Installed in
the wellhead and landed, locked, cemented
and pressure tested.
5. Well suspended.
6. BOP unlatched from the wellhead – best case,
it is ‘bunny hopped’” onto another wellhead.
7. DHXT or THS landed, locked and tested on the
wellhead.
8. BOP landed, locked on the DHXT and tested on
the well.
9. Well suspension plugs/barriers drilled/
removed from well.
10. Well drilled to TD.
11. Lower completion installed and tested.
12. Upper Completion with TH installed, landed, 6. Lower completion installed and tested.
locked in DHXT, packer set and completion Lower completion CBV barrier closed and
(including TH) pressure tested. tested.
13. Wireline crown plugs run, landed and locked 7. Upper Completion with TH installed, landed,
in TH. locked in wellhead, packer set and
completion (including TH) pressure tested.
14. BOP unlatched and recovered to surface.
8. Upper completion Orbit barrier valve closed
15. External tree cap installed on DHXT mandrel
and tested.
profile, or suspension cap installed on THS.
9. BOP unlatched and recovered to surface.
This sequence (assuming vessel and HXT or THS
availability) has the following number of BOP 10. Suspension cap installed on TH and wellhead.
trips (with the associated on-line rig time):
This sequence has the following number of BOP
• 1 BOP trip and 1 BOP unlatch/relatch/ trips (with the associated on-line rig time):
pressure test: 4.5 days to run and test the
• 1 BOP trip and 1 BOP unlatch/relatch/
BOP, 3.0 days to recover the BOP, 1.75 days to
pressure test: 4.5 days to run and test the
hop the BOP, 1.5 days to drill cement plugs.
BOP, 3 days to recover the BOP.
Total = 10.75 days.
Total = 7.5 days
VXT on Wellhead
Verdict – Sequencing & Durations
The following sequence would be typically
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
required for the drilling and completion of
each well:
 2nd 1st  2nd 1st
1. 36-inch Conductor Housing and extension
installed by vessel. VXT (WH) scores the highest by reducing the
2. Top hole activities drilled by the selected number of BOP trips/hops on the well.
Dynamic Positioning (DP) rig. 18-3/4-inch HP
Wellhead Housing c/w 20-inch extension
and 13-3/8-inch casing string run open water
and installed in the well and landed, locked
and cemented.
3. BOP installed on the wellhead.
4. Well drilled and 10-3/4-inch Casing Hanger
c/w 10-3/4-inch – 9-5/8-inch casing string run
through the marine riser and BOP. Installed in
the wellhead and landed, locked, cemented
and pressure tested.
5. Well drilled to TD.
Subsea 101

Operation Downhole Functions “A” Annulus Access

Reliability The following maximum number of downhole The proposed systems all provide access to the
The proposed systems all use the same basic functions through the tree and tubing hanger “A” annulus, between the production tubing
components (e.g. valves, actuators and forgings) systems are as follows: and the production casing. This is required for
but arranged slightly differently. Control system a number of functions, including pressure
• VXT (WH): 7 hydraulic and 2 electrical
and tie connection configurations will be the monitoring and gas lift. Any pressure build-up in
same for all systems. As such, all systems will • DVXT (THS): 10 hydraulic and 2 electrical the “A” annulus can be bled to the production
have similar reliability assessments. flowline via a crossover loop on the tree. Access
• DHXT: 8 hydraulic and 2 electrical
Verdict – Reliability to the “A” annulus is incorporated into the tree
The total number of downhole functions is design and controlled by gate valves.
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
limited by the available real estate in the tubing Verdict – “A” Annulus Access
1st 1st 1st 1st hanger assemblies between the production bore
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
and tubing hanger bodies.
Verdict – Downhole functions 1st 1st 1st 1st
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
All the tree solutions provide a similar method of
1st  2nd 1st  2nd control and annular access via a crossover spool
connecting the annulus to the production and
HXT and VXT (THS) scores the highest due to controlled via a hydraulically actuated gate valve.
their capability to have one extra downhole
hydraulic line. However, it should be noted that
each of the tree systems’ downhole function
capability exceeds the minimum requirements
for the Project X wells.
 Subsea 101

Intervention Heavy Workover

Light Well Intervention (LWI) Heavy Workovers (i.e. full recovery of the
Each of the tree systems are configured to completion by rig) is marginally easier with an
permit access via Light Well Intervention HXT as the completion can be recovered without
packages. Riserless Light Well Intervention having to recover the HXT. However, as the
provides safe access to a subsea well using a planned completions are not complex, and the
specialist LWI Vessel. The vessel has a well base case for the Project X development does
control stack that is deployed on wire to depth not include the requirement for planned heavy
and latched onto the tree. However, a specific workovers, the ease of completion recovery
LWI adapter is required for the tree system to without removal of the tree has not been a
suit the LWI system provider. driver in selection of the respective system.
After installation of the LWI stack well on the Verdict – Heavy Workover
VXT, well access is achieved by opening gate HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
valves in the production bore of the VXT. On the
DHXT well access can only be achieved once the 1st  2nd  2nd  2nd
Upper and Lower Crown Plugs have been
recovered from the TH internal profile. Each HXT scores the highest as the design lends itself
Crown Plug retrieval and replacement requires to the requirement for heavy workovers.
separate trips of the open water lubricator
wireline package before and after carrying out Tree Repair
any in-well scopes of work. Although it is unlikely that the trees will require
repair, the VXTs can be recovered without the
Typical scopes performed by LWI are Production
need for a heavy workover, whereas a full heavy
Logging Trip (PLTs), well zonal isolation,
workover and completion recovery will be
cementing, scale squeeze and re-perforations.
required for a DHXT.
Verdict – Light Well Intervention
Verdict – Tree Repair
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
 2nd 1st 1st 1st
 2nd 1st 1st 1st

VXT (WH) and (THS) score the highest as well

VXT (WH) and (THS) scores the highest as
access is simplified by the opening of gate valves
these trees can be recovered without disturbing
rather than having to recover Crown Plugs.
the completions.
 Subsea 101

Well Kill Decommissioning Commercial assessments Installation

In the event of a requirement to kill the well, this Tree Retrieval For installation and subsequent intervention
would involve the use of a drilling rig. All BHGE tree systems are designed to be easily In this section we make initial quantitative assessments, the following working
retrieved at the end of life and the field assessments of the potential impact of tree assumptions on vessel rates have been used.
• The BOP would be landed, locked and
decommissioning, recovery methodology for selection on initial equipment purchase and
tested on the upper profile of the tree Example Rates to
each system is similar. installation (CAPEX) and subsequent life of field
or BOP adapter. demonstrate
activities (OPEX). The numbers show directional
Verdict – Tree Retrieval Vessel evaluation
• A landing string with Subsea Test Tree (SSTT) trends to aid decision making and illustrate
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH) MODU Rate (USD) 225,000 $/Day
and Tubing Hanger Running Tool (THRT) would major differences rather than build up detailed
be run through the marine riser and BOP. numbers across common aspects. Cat 2 Installation 115,000 $/Day
1st 1st 1st 1st
vessel (USD)
• THRT would be landed, orientated and latch CAPEX Lightwell Intervention 175,000 $/Day
onto the DHXT TH or DVXT BOP adapter. Equipment Vessel (USD)
Comparing vertical and horizontal tree
• Surface Well Test Spread would be hooked up
solutions, in line with industry expectations, the Timings are aligned to the major differences
and surface wireline BOPs installed above the
horizontal tree is a lower CAPEX solution than with additional detail sub-tasks provided where
Surface Flow Tree on the rig floor.
traditional vertical trees. This is especially clear appropriate. The table below summarizes the
–– DHXTs – Wireline tooling can then be when the functionality of the THS is included in anticipated differences in installation costs
deployed to recover the Crown Plugs. After the vertical solution. Aptara™, BHGE’s new tree between the tree options assessed.
the Crown Plugs are recovered the well can configuration, reduces the number of
be killed. components, as well as the footprint and weight, The table below shows that the removal of the
removing cost from the entire manufacturing BOP hop for the VXT (WH) option saves
–– VXTs – gate valves in the production bore approximately $730,000 per well in rig time over
cycle. The result is a low CAPEX solution that is
can be functioned open. After the gate the DHXT or DVXT (THS) alternatives, which
comparable to or more cost effective than a
valves are opened the well can be killed. amounts to circa $6.5 million across the nine
horizontal tree.
Verdict – Well Kill wells. The magnitude of these savings may be
Verdict – CAPEX – Equipment
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH) even higher if the BOP has to be pulled before
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH) running the HXT or THS from the rig, and then
 2nd 1st 1st 1st re-deploying the BOP.
1st  2nd  3rd 1st
Verdict – CAPEX – Installation
VXT (WH) and (THS) score the highest as the HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
well can be accessed and killed after opening
the actuated gate valves rather than having to  2nd 1st  2nd 1st
recover Crown Plugs on wireline.

Installation DHXT DVXT (THS) DVXT (WH)

Assumed Corresponding Assumed Corresponding Assumed Corresponding
Activity Vessel duration (days) cost duration (days) cost duration (days) cost
BOP Trip MODU 7.5 $1,687,500 7.5 $1.687,500 7.5 $1.687,500
BOP Hop MODU 1.75 $393,750 1.75 $393,750 0 –
Drill Cement Plugs MODU 1.5 $337,500 1.5 $337,500 0 –
THS Installation LCV – Cat 2 0 – 0.5 $57,500 0 –
Tree Installation LCV – Cat 2 0.5 $57,500 0.5 $57,500 0.5 $57,500
Total Per Well 11.25 $2,276,250 11.75 $2,533,750 8 $1,745,000
Total for 9 Wells 101.25 $22,286,250 105.75 $22,803,750 72 $15,705,000
Subsea 101

CAPEX summary Verdict – OPEX – Light Well Intervention

Combining estimates of tree equipment and HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
installation shows the following likely impact
over the baseline nine-well development for  2nd 1st 1st 1st
Project X (again noting that the values shown
are focused on key differences rather than Heavy Well Workover
providing total budget values). While heavy workovers of the completion are
Verdict – CAPEX – Summary relatively rare for non-ESP developments, they
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH) do occur. Crucially however, in the case of
requiring a heavy workover, the cost and
 2nd  2nd  3rd 1st disruption to operations is already likely to be
very high, so the additional act of first removing
From a CAPEX perspective, the Aptara™ on the VXT has limited additional impact.
Wellhead solution is likely to offer best value for While the cost of retrieving a tree for
this specific application. maintenance would be more than 22 times for
OPEX an HXT than a corresponding VXT, the cost of
Tree Repair working over the well by pulling the VXT prior to
Although tree failures are rare and hence the completion only represents around a 5%
unlikely on Project X, the potential shouldn’t be increase in costs over the equivalent HXT.
ignored. VXTs can be recovered by vessel, while Verdict – OPEX – Heavy Well Workover
leaving the full completion in place. However, HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)
DHXTs will require a heavy workover with
a drilling rig prior to recovering the tree. 1st  2nd  2nd  2nd
After the tree replacement, a full completion
re-installation will be required. Therefore, the OPEX summary
cost of a DHXT replacement will be significantly It is difficult to assess the likely impact of tree
higher than that for a DVXT. selection through the life of the field without
Verdict – OPEX – Tree Repair first understanding the anticipated frequency of
HXT VXT (WH) VXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH) operations. However, to provide guidance the
following assumptions have been made (across
 2nd 1st 1st 1st the nine-well development for its life of field):
• 1 tree recovery in total
Light Well Intervention
Costs for LWI access will be heavily dependent • 2 heavy workovers in total
upon the scope and extent of the activities • 2 light well interventions per well

The Aptara vertical

™ planned. Prior to the commencement of these
activities, well access with a VXT is achieved by
opening gate valve in the production bore of the
This results in the HXT incurring an additional
estimated $13 million in OPEX costs across the

tree shows a clear VXT. However, well access through a DHXT can
only be achieved once the Upper and Lower
Crown Plugs have been recovered from the TH
life of the field. Removing the tree recovery from
the assessment reduces this value to circa $5
million but the costs of HXTs will likely increase

TOTEX advantage. internal profile. Every additional wireline trip will

incur vessel time and associated costs,
increasing the cost of LWI for DHXTs.
for each light intervention over a VXT and reduce
for each heavy intervention. The magnitudes of
these differences are broadly comparable, but
light interventions are more likely on Project X,
so it is anticipated that the VXT options will
represent better value from an OPEX
perspective as well as CAPEX.
 Subsea 101

Conclusions and Verdict

Wellhead Fatigue
DHXT DVXT (WH) DVXT (THS) Aptara™ (WH)

recommendations  3rd 1st  2nd 1st

Lead Time
Summary of Findings  3rd 1st  2nd 1st
Summary of all findings linked to each of the
Installation – Equipment Required
assessment criteria is shown below. The collated  2nd 1st 1st 1st
verdict tables confirm that Aptara™ on Wellhead
is the recommended tree option for use on Installation – Flexibility
 3rd 1st  2nd 1st
Project X, with the highest number of top ratings
from each category. Barrier Philosophy
 2nd 1st 1st 1st
Aptara™ (WH) – 16 top ratings
Sequencing and Durations
 2nd 1st  2nd 1st
DVXT (WH) – 15 top ratings
Reliability
DVXT (THS) – 11 top ratings 1st 1st 1st 1st

DHXT – 7 top ratings Downhole Functions

1st  2nd 1st  2nd

“A” Annulus Access

1st 1st 1st 1st

Light Well Intervention

 2nd 1st 1st 1st
Aptara™ lightweight compact tree.
Heavy Workover
1st  2nd  2nd  2nd

Tree Repair
 2nd 1st 1st 1st

Well Kill
 2nd 1st 1st 1st

Tree Retrieval
1st 1st 1st 1st

CAPEX – Equipment
1st  2nd  3rd 1st

CAPEX – Installation
 2nd 1st  2nd 1st

OPEX – Tree Repair

 2nd 1st 1st 1st

OPEX – Light Well Intervention

 2nd 1st 1st 1st

OPEX – Heavy Well Workover

1st  2nd  2nd  2nd
 Subsea 101

Conclusion – Tree Configuration for Project X

Based on these assessments, a Vertical Tree on
Wellhead configuration is recommended for the
Project X development. The primary factors
influencing this recommendation can be
summarized as follows:
1. CAPEX – Although the DVXT on Wellhead is
more expensive than the DHXT for equipment
supply, this increase is offset by the significant
saving on the system installation, as the
completion can be landed in the wellhead
system with no planned BOP disconnection.
When BHGE’s Aptara™ tree is considered, the
initial cost of the tree is comparable or favorable
to a HXT, as well as having the installation cost
advantages of a vertical tree.
2. OPEX – With no planned heavy workovers on
Project X, the easier access to the wellbore for
light well interventions afforded by a vertical
tree is likely to outweigh the benefits of being
able to pull the completion without first
retrieving the tree for heavy workovers.
Further, in the unlikely event that a tree fault
develops, requiring retrieval for diagnosis or
maintenance, the impact of achieving this with
a VXT is lower than with an HXT by significant
orders of magnitude.
3. Installation Flexibility – With the narrow
working windows for both the rig and SURF
installation scopes, reducing the time that the
rig spends on the well provides increased
operational windows for the SURF vessels. VXT
on Wellhead offers the opportunity to reduce
the rig time by just over three days per well. It
also opens up the potential to re-plan or
prioritize rig activities as circumstances
change, where wells can be completed and
suspended prior to tree delivery without the
need to re-mobilize a rig at a later date.
4. Wellhead Fatigue – VXT on Wellhead ensures
that the BOP will only be installed directly onto
the wellhead. Introduction of a DHXT or THS
between the wellhead and BOP increases the
bending moment between the BOP wellhead,
which increases the potential for accelerated
use of the wellhead’s fatigue life. The VXT on
Wellhead system minimizes that risk.
 Subsea 101
Recommendation – Tree Type for Project X
By considering the project specific requirements
against the tree configurations available from
BHGE, the Aptara™ lightweight compact tree on
wellhead configuration is recommended for the
Project X development.
Historically, with the Project X field having
greater than 2,460 ft (750 m) water depths, if a
vertical tree was required, then only a traditional
DVXT would be available. However, BHGE has
recently introduced an optimized version of the
DVXT designed specifically to take cost, weight
and time out of subsea developments, while
optimizing use through the life of the field. The
system uses virtually all the same constituent
parts as the DVXT but packages them in a more
efficient manner to save approximately 50% of
the size and weight. Central to this saving is a
unique flow path that enables the choke (and,
if required, the multi-phase flow meter) to be
housed in an easily recoverable life-of-field cap.
Not only does this make recovery easier, it also
makes the tree simpler and lighter, as the
equipment is positioned centrally through the
axis of the body rather than being offset. Initial
assessments of the anticipated cost of the
comparable Aptara™ Lightweight Compact
Vertical Tree on Wellhead across the nine-well
development is 15% lower than the DVXT on
Wellhead option (with installation and
life-of-field costs being equivalent or lower).
Furthermore, by using a vertical tree, it is • Flexibility. With Aptara™ you can have the
possible to decouple the tree delivery from the same part number for the production and
drilling program. This opens up the potential water injection trees to facilitate installation
benefits of the Aptara™ system. The downward flexibility and potential future reconfiguration
interface with the tubing hanger system and the through long-term re-profiling of the reservoir.
upward interface with riser systems, as well as
• Simpler. There is the potential to eliminate
the running tools, are all designed to be identical
the tree flow meter and use the distributed
between the Aptara™ tree and the existing DVXT.
flow meter within the LWCT tree solution.
An overview of the key benefits supporting the
The Aptara™ vertical tree on wellhead has
Aptara™ Lightweight Compact tree on Wellhead
been recommended as it provides improved
solution for Project X are summarized below:
performance at the lowest cost over the life
• CAPEX equipment. Aptara™ total hardware of field.
price is 15% lower cost than the DVXT on
Wellhead.
• Lighter. The Aptara™ is 50% lighter than a
conventional VXT. This reduces the Aptara™
tree weight c/w cap to circa 40 tons against
75 tons for a DVXT. This reduction in weight
may facilitate the use of lighter installation
vessels and reduce installation costs.
• Easier use of life-of-field (LOF) cap vs flow
control module. The LOF modular cap is
more easily installed and recovered as it is
located on the XT upper mandrel, clear of any
adjacent hardware. The LOF cap is also
configured to permit the introduction of other
technologies in later field life, such as subsea
pumping to increase overall field production.
Aptara™ vertical tree
on Wellhead has been
recommended as it
provides improved
performance at
the lowest cost
over the life of field.