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Oilfield Technology
January
2016
Alpha Mahatvaraj, and Brandon
Stowe, GMC inc., USA, introduces
mechanically connected free
standing hybrid risers and
explains how they can provide cost
savings for operators.
A
s the offshore industry enters its second year of
depressed oil prices the need for operators to look toward
technology for economic advantages has never been more
essential, particularly with ultra-deepwater developments and
their costly SURF Capex (specifically within their riser systems).
Throughout the beginning of the 21
st
Century there were
several advances made with production riser systems, a key
component in determining technical and commercial viability
of a project, however deepwater 20 years ago is no longer
the deepwater of today and new technological advances are
required as the industry moves farther offshore and into fields
with high pressure and high temperature requirements.
There are multiple wet tree riser system options available in
the market today, including steel catenary risers, steel lazy wave
risers, flexible risers, and free standing hybrid risers (FSHR). All
offer their own benefits and are designed for various platform
types and field requirements. Of these the FSHR is one of the
newest designs, being first installed in 2001 offshore Angola.
FSHR introduction
A FSHR is made up of a rigid steel pipe, connected to the
seabed via a bottom connector latch, which connects the riser
REJUVENATING
RISER TECHNOLOGY
