Artificial lift

High-Voltage Subsea Pump Enables Low-Cost Boosting

Subsea pumps are used for gas/liquid separation, subsea compression, and subsea boosting. Solutions aiming at cost reductions are crucial to make subsea processing projects feasible. A cost- and complexity-reduction solution for the subsea electrical power supply is a critical consideration.

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Fig. 1—Subsea umbilical-termination assembly.

Introduction

The topside-generated electric energy used to power subsea pumps is delivered through a combination of transmission and distribution equipment. A medium-voltage (MV) circuit breaker is required between the power generator bus bar and the variable-frequency drive (VFD). The VFD, typically installed in a temperature-controlled room, is connected to the topside umbilical-termination unit (TUTU). The TUTU junction box interfaces the surface cables to the subsea umbilical. Depending on the water depth and the horizontal distance between the floating production unit and the load, the umbilical can be tens of kilometers long. The greater the distance, the greater the cost.

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