Subsea X-Mas Tree Standardization Benefits in Brazil Scenario

Abstract

Subsea X-Mas Trees have been standardized in Brazil since the 1990’s and this paper will present how this standardization was evolved throughout the years and the main benefits achieved to both, the operator and the suppliers. To achieve the standardization benefits the X-Mas Trees standardization program has followed three main approaches: -The first is related to standardization of X-Mas Tree application, becoming it possible to use any X-mas Tree from any supplier in the production or injection wells, in the most possible cases.-The Second is related to standardization of X-Mas Tree interfaces between sub-equipment and between the equipment and its tools.-The third is related to standardization of manufacturing, qualification program and inspection. At the beginning, only the interfaces between the THS (Tubing Head Spool), TH (Tubing Hanger) and the X-Mas Tree itself were standardized. Throughout the years, more interfaces were standardized, such as Tree Cap, Flowline Connectors and Control Systems. The standardization may lead to very big scale gains and cost reduction when is possible to look the whole projects as a portfolio, as it makes possible to combine several projects into a Bidding process (bid), enabling better competitiveness in the supplier market. For example, bids with up to 300 X-Mas Trees split in lots with up to around 130 X-Mas Tree per supplier were carried out in Post-Salt and Pre-salt projects and a huge benefit was achieved with this strategy. In addition, the standardization brings better stock management as the projects’ schedule changes over time, minimizing the time the X-Mas Trees stay in stock. At last, it enables faster project implementation, once the equipment is already contracted, designed and, sometimes, even manufactured. Standardization of the X-Mas interfaces brings the possibility of exchanging sub-equipment of different suppliers, as vertical connector modules, for example, between any well. This is extremely useful when there are operational issues during the installation, as it becomes possible to use equipment from another supplier until the issue is outlined. Besides that, there is another standardization benefit, regarding to wells maintenance, where the equipment removed from a well can technically be reused in another well. Additionally, when multiplexed X-Mas Trees became the standard in Brazil for Pre-Salt wells (in the past, all multiplexed controls were located on Manifolds), it was imperative to standardize the control system interfaces, enabling it to be from a different supplier than the X-Mas Tree itself, as well. Standardization of X-Mas Trees enabled the operator to better answer to its projects demand in a portfolio view, reducing costs, increasing flexibility and allowing the competitiveness between suppliers in all project phases.