A Case Study – A Systems Approach for 20 ksi Equipment Qualification

Anadarko started the initial development and qualification of 20 ksi equipment in 2013 for a Gulf of Mexico (GoM) project. That journey included an analysis of using depth-adjusted working pressure of 15 ksi equipment that allowed exploration and appraisal drilling of a high-pressure GoM prospect. It continued with the goal to develop and qualify a complete set of 20 ksi equipment for a deepwater GoM high-pressure development. The scope of development and qualification of High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) equipment included: 20 ksi deepwater Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU); 20 ksi subsea Blowout Preventer (BOP); 20 ksi Completions equipment for the upper completion including a subsurface safety valve, packers, chemical injection, wireline plugs, etc.; 20 ksi Intervention equipment including a thru-riser intervention string, a Tree Tieback Tool, workstring connection and an Integrated Workover Control System (IWOCS); 20 ksi Subsea Production equipment including wellhead, tree and a High Integrity Pressure Protection System (HIPPS). Anadarko formed the ‘20A project team’ initiative in order to qualify these critical deepwater components with a Rated Working Pressure (RWP) greater than 15 ksi. This project is coming to a close in 2019, with the qualification of over 200 components and assemblies to industry standards and meeting U.S. government requirements. This six year development journey of 20 ksi equipment development and qualification presented challenges and achieved breakthrough technologies for the industry. This journey, its organizational approach using systems engineering techniques and integration processes are presented.