Objective
To demonstrate the operational benefits of encapsulating subsea production equipment within one atmosphere, neutrabaric chambers.
The project achieved a completely successful result. The system was designed to enable it to be installed during the drilling operation and to interface with standard, oil field equipment. The installation and hook up proceeded according to plan and no problem were encountered.
Several neutrabaric interventions were carried out and maintenance operations demonstrated. Divers became enthusiastic about the system as it provided a good working environment, extended diving time and obviated the need for decompression.
A neutrabaric chamber is a wet rather than dry chamber which is normally at sea bed ambient pressure. Manned access is via a dry, one atmosphere vehicle (submarine or diving bell) in which the divers are taken to the chamber. The vehicle docks onto the chamber and the chamber is depressurised to one atmosphere by bleeding off water from the chamber to the vehicle. As water is substantially incompressable, the amount of water bled off is very small. Divers can then enter a "swimming pool" environment, proctected from tidal currents and unexposed to pressure whatever the depth of the installation.
A system has been installed on the Morecambe Bay Field in the UKCS. Hydrocarbons Great Britain Ltd, as operators of the field required to obtain reservoir data from a well drilled into the northern sector of the main gas field.
The wellhead equipment was encapsulated in a neutrabaric chamber and working access achieved at one atmosphere to complete hook up and recover data.
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DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
W6 8DM London
United Kingdom