Deepwater Umbilical

Challenges

February 28, 2005

 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

What is a subsea
umbilical?
An umbilical is an assembly
of tubes and/or electrical /
fiber optic cables used to
provide power, signal
control, hydraulic and/or
chemical supply to wells or
other subsea equipment.
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

12 Segments
0.8 to 68 km each
Total Length = 105 km

Canyon Express Development

Field Layout
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Water Depth 2200 m

324 m

Canyon
Express
Umbilical

Eiffel Tower
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Canyon Express umbilical

length equivalent to
distance between Bogor &
Bandung
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Risks
 Component performance
 Tubes
 Cables
 Connectors
 Hydrostatic pressure
 Installation
 Repairs
 Limited suppliers
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Mobile, Alabama (USA)

Moss, Norway
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Steel Tube Umbilical Manufacturing Facilities

Deepwater Umbilical Challenges
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Assembly & Termination

 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Load-out
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

MSV Maxita
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Main Carousel & Vertical

Lay System
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Electro-hydraulic Distribution
Unit
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Main Subsea
Umbilical
Termination
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Infield Subsea Umbilical

Termination
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Remotely
Operated
Vehicles

MSV Maxita
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Stab-and-hingeover
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Bridge Jumper
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Flying
Leads &
Jumpers
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Typical Electrical
Connectors
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Testing Operations
Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Methanol Distribution
 Deepwater Umbilical Challenges

Case Studies – Umbilical Failures

 Troika – tube failure due to
sigma phase
 Canyon Express – connector
short in signal quad