Review and reliability modeling of maturing subsea hydrocarbon boosting systems

• Challenges in exploiting futuristic hydrocarbon resources detailed.
• Strategic importance of maturing subsea hydrocarbon boosting systems discussed.
• Reliability modeling done for a multi megawatt, remote, all subsea boosting station.
• Station with 1 pump require 3 redundant pumps to have an MTBF of 4.25 Years.
• Maturing subsea compressors require target failure rates of less than 10000 FIT.

This paper details the strategic importance of maturing subsea hydrocarbon boosting systems in the effective exploitation of matured fields. Reliability modeling is done for a long step out, all-subsea boosting station operating multi megawatt variable speed pumps at 1000 m water depth. It is found that, with the present technological maturity, one pump requires three redundancies to have an MTBF of 4.25 years. Analysis also reveals that a similar station shall require a booster compressor with Failure-In-Time not exceeding 10000 for attaining the same MTBF. Results serve as a guideline for subsea boosting system designers in planning technology qualification programs.