Objective
The aim of the project is to reduce costs of control systems used for the production of subsea hydrocarbons, and to promote the development of fields which are uneconomic with current technology, to allow an increase recovery of energy reserves.
The cost reductions will be achieved through the demonstration of a control system which is able to operate subsea wells without the use of electro-hydraulic control umbilicals.
These umbilicals are a major cost factor of the overall control systems, and are relatively expensive items to manufacture, install, commission and maintain.
As the cost associated with umbilicals is proportional to their lengths, the cost savings using the SPARCS system also increases with greater wellhead to platform distances.
This project will demonstrate such a system can reliably control subsea wells under realistic operating conditions.
Expected annual production : 7.3 million barrels of oil. L%
Results from the integration trials have shown the system to be successful and has demonstrated the concept as proposed.
The current control technique for hydrocarbon production utilises a multiplexed electro-hydraulic control system, to permit a fast response for subsea hydraulic valve operation and allow detailed monitoring information to be collected to maximise recovery.
A control umbilical, between the platform and subsea well contains a combination of hydraulic control lines, and electrical lines to communicate and power the subsea control module.
The SPARCS system will control a remote subsea well without the use of control umbilicals. The system will comprise of two groups of equipment, a surface controller and subsea control module.
The surface controller allows the operator to interrogate and control the subsea system via an acoustic transponder, using seawater as the communication medium. The subsea equipment will consist of :
a) Subsea Hydraulic Power Unit with associated motors, pumps, closed loop fluid reservoirs and accumulation.
b) Electrical subsea power generation unit operating from a water injection flowline. Power generation from sea-water electrolyte batteries is also being evaluated.
c) Acoustic transponders for communications.
d) Electronics for system control and sensor monitoring.
e) Hydraulic valves for tree actuator control.
f) Battery system for storage of generated power.
SPARCS is highly innovative in that it controls hydrocarbon wellheads without the use of control umbilicals. The subsea systems electrical power is produced by a turbine Generator fitted to a water injection flowline, or alternatively sea-water electrolyte batteries. Hydraulic power for operating wellhead and downhole safety valves is produced from a subsea unit, with communication signals for valve control and sensor monitoring using acoustic telemetry. The SPARCS system will be the first integrated autonomous control system used for subsea hydrocarbon production, allowing continual operation without surface intervention for periods up to 2 years.
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Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
W14 8YW London
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.