Optimization of pipelines for marginal fields

The overall purpose of the project was a cost reduction regarding carbonate exploitation from marginal oil and gas fields in the Danish sector of the North Sea. The project concerns development and testing of a sectional pipeline system for connection between established fields/platforms and marginal fields. By use of conventional technology marginal field exploitation is unprofitable. Expecially, development of a diverless prototype system and possible system re-use have resultet in cost reductions. The developed system consists of sectional pipelines bundles, i.e. the flowlines are routed inside a carrier pipe. A connection system for the bundle sections has been developed as well as a separate connection tool for connection of flowlines. Flowlines are terminated in a pipeline connector. The project included development of an alternative connector with a higher degree of freedom than conventional connectors. The connector has been produced and tested with success. A prototype of the complete system is designed, manufactured and tested. Initial tests and test of the separate components have been carried out onshore before offshore subsea installation and testing of the complete system. Test results confirm the system's fundamental applicability and have subsequently induced constructive improvements. The improvements can be used to develop the system towards full offshore applicability and/or to development of simplified and stronger connections for use with traditional pipeline systems