Mid-Water Pipes
Product transfer between floating systems in deep and ultra deep water is often more efficient if handled at minimal depth by mid-water pipe systems. Two such systems having distinct uses are being developed. These are the Trelline for large diameter flexible lines used in the transfer of stabilized crude from FPSOs to export buoys and the Gravity Actuated Pipe (GAP) for the transfer of multiple live produced fluids between gathering satellites and an FPSO used for processing of the hydrocarbon production.
Gravity Actuated Pipe (GAP)
The GAP consists of a neutrally buoyant bundle of steel pipes supported and tensioned at a near surface depth by chains and weights attached to floating systems. The floating systems transfer production fluids through the pipe bundle via flexible lines. This near surface transfer greatly reduces flow assurance problems of hydrates and waxing that would occur with a sea bottom-based SCR piping system. The GAP's neutrally buoyant bundle also greatly reduces the load placed on the floater when compared to SCR use, which is quite important when designing TLP tie-ins. Studies of tie-ins from two to thirty km have shown the GAP to be applicable in any deepwater production area of the world.
