GE OIL & Gas has launched a new lightweight subsea tree that the company believes will set a new benchmark, initially in the shallower parts of the North Sea where field life tends to be short and development costs relatively high compared with other parts of the world.
The new VetcoGray S-Series SVXT subsea tree merges horizontal and vertical tree technology, reducing weight by 20%, decreasing height and also delivering essential functionality in a “pre-engineered, pre-configured ‘modular’ way”.
The group says low-cost installation of the new SVXT will be possible because the design takes account of the need to instal using standard offshore jack-up drilling rigs without the need for major modifications.
Speaking at an Offshore Europe launch reception, Manuel Terranova, a GE Oil & Gas senior VP, said: “Designed and manufactured in Aberdeen, the new VetcoGray SVXT S-Series subsea tree is destined for harsh shallow waters, predominantly in the North Sea, but also for export globally … and provide significant installation, maintenance and cost benefits.”
Key features of this low-profile tree, which GE showed off to students attending this year’s Offshore Europe on the final day, include smaller tree and fisher-friendly wellhead protection structures, as well as an innovative barrier approach that removes the need for a separate tree cap. It is fitted with the SemStar5-powered ModPod as standard control system, along with service and analysis packages, including flow-assurance, riser analysis and other elements.