To date, production from marginal subsea or deepwater fields has been hampered by high investment costs. The desire to unlock these potentially valuable resources has driven considerable investment in new production technology. An R&D qualification program led by GE has developed a subsea compression module that is key to economical offshore oil and gas production. This new subsea production system makes the development of numerous offshore fields profitable by eliminating the need for new platforms.

Subsea units will be connected directly to shore – or even to distant platforms – through subsea flowlines. Installation of subsea gas boosters close to the wellhead manifolds will allow operators to enhance productivity and maintain plateau production for an extended number of years.

New Subsea compression module - the heart of a revolutionary technology

The compression module consists of a centrifugal compressor driven by a gas-filled, high-speed electric motor stacked in a vertical orientation and packaged in a single, sealed housing designed to withstand the surrounding hydrostatic pressure.

The significant technical challenges associated with highly reliable operation of an unattended compression module have been resolved through a number of creative engineering solutions, including the elimination of dry gas seals through the use of a gas-filled motor and the selection of materials and design procedures specifically developed for this application. Compression modules will be available in a power range up to 20 MW. The pressure and flow ranges are the same as for conventional natural gas production applications.

The qualification program is now entering the final verification phase which will culminate in the installation of the compression module in an actual subsea field.

Project Update

On July 10, 2006, Norsk Hydro awarded Aker Kvaerner SubSea a total contract for the Subsea Compression Pilot for Ormen Lange. This will be the first subsea compression unit ever built and GE’s Oil & Gas business will supply the rotating equipment to AKS. The pilot unit is identical to one of four trains on the proposed full-scale subsea compression station to be installed at approximately 900 meters depth, as an alternative to an offshore platform.