Objetivo The project is aimed at the design, fabrication and first installation of a VASPS (Vertical Annular Separation and Pumping System) subsea unit in an offshore field (Marimbà Field) with the objective of demonstrating the viability of the VASPS subsea separation and pumping system. In particular, the project goals are to prove the integrity and reliability of VASPS subsea hardware, to demonstrate the installation and IMR techniques and tooling, to prove the controllability and operability of the system in a subsea environment, thus achieving the necessary operational experience and confidence that will allow future installations. The target is to keep VASPS in continuous operation for 12 months. Experience from the first VASPS subsea unit will also guide future large scale industrial applications.L%The VASPS is an innovative two phase (gas-liquid) separator integrated with an Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP), conceived for subsea application. The innovation of the system is evident as it achieves gas-liquid separation and boosting in a configuration which does not utilise large pressure vessels, and is derived from standard completion and welhead components; Consequently VASPS installation and maintenance is accomplished by using established drilling and completion procedure and equipment, thus making the VASPS particularly attractive for subsea applications, especially in deep waters.VASPS chief benefit is a significant reduction in the required Well Head Flowing Pressure (WHFP) as multiphase flow is replaced by separate gas and liquid flows. The multiphase stream from the wells enters at the top of the Unit into the spiral formed by the Pressure Housing and the Heix. The fluid is directed down to the bottom of the separator guided flows through the holes on the Helix pipe wall, passes into gas annulus and flows up into the Gas Expansion Chamber. The gas leaves the unit from the Gas outlet and naturally expands in a dedicated pipeline up to the surface treatment facilities, where it typically enters into the 2nd and 3rd stage of separation. The degassed liquid flows down the Helix into the liquid sump where the final degassing takes place. The liquid then enters into the liquid discharge Tubing where an Electrical Submerged Pump (ESP) is installed to boost the liquid phase before flowing out of the VASPS into a dedicated flowline. VASPS internals are designed to provide a high degree of separation of the gas from the liquid with a very limited amount of entrained gas in the liquid phase, thus allowing the utilization of a single phase pumping and instrumentation systems.VASPS technology belongs to the categories of "subsea multiphase boosting systems" and "artificial lifting methods" whose main objective is to boost the production from the wells. Compared with the multiphase pump, VASPS has a higher pumping efficiency as it acts on the liquid phase. Programa(s) FP4-NNE-THERMIE C - Specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration in the field of non-nuclear energy, 1994-1998 Tema(s) 1 - OIL AND GAS Convocatoria de propuestas Data not available Régimen de financiación DEM - Demonstration contracts Coordinador ENI SpA- AGIP Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección VIA EMILIA 1 20097 S. Donato Milanese (MILANO) Italia Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos
