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Subsea
Engineering Specialisation INTRODUCTION
For many years the production of offshore
oil and gas relied on technology originally developed for land-based
operation, but adapted for use on fixed platforms at sea. Various
factors, including the ever-increasing depth of discoveries,
have forced the industry into seeking more appropriate and cost-effective
techniques. Many of these involve placing complex equipment and
systems on the seabed, recently at depths well outside the range
of diver intervention.
Subsea engineering has become a widely accepted
term which refers to the multi-disciplinary activity which covers
the design, installation and operation of equipment and systems
situated in the vicinity of the seabed for the purpose of hydrocarbon
production. It should not be confused with underwater engineering,
which refers to the generality of engineering for underwater
needs, ranging from military through fishing, dredging to construction.
Nor should it be confused with offshore engineering, which is
concerned with the needs of the hydrocarbons exploration and
production industry offshore, but not in the underwater environment.
DEFINITION
Subsea Engineering is defined as the engineering
of systems and equipment, located subsea, required to satisfy
specific needs in the production of oil and gas.
THE REQUIREMENT
Many engineering disciplines and skills are
required in the design and putting into operation of subsea equipment
and systems. The subsea environment and the needs of oil and
gas exploration and production require that engineers in this
field have substantial specialist knowledge of that environment,
its effect on oil and gas exploration and production, and the
contributions that can be made by each branch of engineering
to cost-effective and timely solutions. This understanding needs
to be acquired. Normal experience leads most engineers to a ready
understanding of the normal atmospheric environment. The uniquely
different environments of aerospace, near space and hydrospace
lead to a specific learning experience in each.
The subsea environment in many ways is more
demanding. It is a medium where fatigue is enhanced, wave force
and impact damage are possible, and marine growth and seabed
motions have to be considered. Subsea equipment needs to meet
normal oilfiled operating conditions and codes, including the
containment of high pressures and temperatures, fluids and gases
with significant corrosive properties, and be maintainable by
diver or remotely operated vehicle. For such reasons Subsea Engineering
demands a clear understanding of the many different technical,
commercial and ecological issues involved, which, in many cases,
can only be experienced at first hand.
THE PEOPLE
Engineering in the subsea environment requires
the highest level of professional expertise of an engineer. A
Subsea Engineer must therefore be first a fully qualified and
experienced professional engineering practitioner in a chosen
primary filed, such as mechanical, electrical, civil, structural,
petroleum engineering or naval architecture, or have the comparable
applied scientific background.
A Subsea Engineer will usually have demonstrated
, to a suitably recognised qualifying organisation, an adequate
theoretical and practical background combined with experience
and competence in essential primary engineering functions. Applicants
would normally hold a relevant engineering degree before starting
to obtain recognition by the Society for Underwater Technology
as a Subsea Engineer. There may be exceptional circumstances
under which other science degrees or academic qualifications
may suffice in view of an individual's extensive experience.
SUBSEA ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE:
REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for the Register of Subsea Engineers
are expected to show either general overall experience across
all the areas of subsea engineering OR detailed knowledge in
a specific skill area combined with an overall appreciation in
several other areas. As a guide, it is expected that a candidate
can demonstrate a detailed knowledge in at least one area combined
with a good appreciation of at least four other areas from the
list of relevant skill areas below, by experience working on
several projects.
Subsea Engineering Skills
- Completions/Trees
Selection, manufacturing overview, inspection and test, installation,
operation and intervention on subsea Xmas trees, and the interfacing
with downhole completions.
- Production Design
Conceptual design and analysis of subsea production systems to
include hydraulics/multiphase flow/hydrate formation/wax implications
and their operational impact: the layout architecture and use
of subsea processing systems.
- Controls
Specification and selection of subsea control and umbilical systems
for subsea production systems. The testing and commissioning
of such systems. Ongoing IMR on the systems.
- Construction/Fabrication
Fabrication, onshore integration testing, offshore installation
and commissioning of major subsea production systems (including
trees, manifolds, templates, flowlines, risers and umbilicals).
- Production/IMR
Commissioning and operation of subsea production systems, including
understanding of multiphase, wax, hydrate issues, operational
procedures and mitigation techniques. Long term inspection, testing
and maintenance of such systems.
- Flowlines/Pipelines
The design, installation and testing of subsea flowlines, pipelines
and bundles.
- Risers
a. Flexible
Specification, application analysis, selection and installation
of flexible pipe riser systems, including their long term reliability
and inspection.
b. Steel Catenary/Free Standing
Specification, application analysis, selection and installation
of steel riser systems, including vertical hybrid and steel catenary
systems. This would include understanding fabrication issues,
riser long term reliability and inspection techniques.
ASSESSMENT OF EXPERIENCE
Each candidate will be required to complete
a Statement of Experience form, which can be obtained from the
Society for Underwater Technology at the address below or via
e-mail (admin@sutadmin.demon.co.uk). Guidance notes are provided,
and the Statement of Experience forms will need to be amplified
with supporting information relating to the activities, responsibilities,
contributions made and experience gained by the candidate, and
a current CV. A list of contacts familiar with the candidate's
profession must be supplied. When completed, the Statement of
Experience form, together with supporting documentation and a
£30 registration fee should be forwarded to the Society
for assessment.
An Assessment Panel, formed under the direction
of the Subsea Engineering Committee of the Society, will scrutinise
the applicant's submission. The Panel will meet six-monthly,
and successful applicants will be placed on the Register. Unsuccessful
applicants will be informed of the reasons for not qualifying.
THE REGISTER
The Society will maintain a Register
of recognised Subsea Engineers which will be available to
those who engage, employ or otherwise utilise practitioners of
this engineering specialisation.
or further information, please contact:
The Executive Secretary
Society for Underwater Technology
80 Coleman Street
London
EC2R 5BJ
UK.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7 382 2601
Fax: +44 (0)20 7 382 2684
e-mail: info@sut.org |
