This paper identifies areas of uncertainty related to the new subsea compression technology. In addition, a description of an approach used to support the decision-making process from idea to commercialization of any subsea production and processing system is presented. Today, subsea production and compression systems are given more attention than ever before. Common for all new installations is the increasing demand for production efficiency and reliability. This paper presents a method for qualification and production forecast, applicable to all subsea production and processing systems. The study case is a subsea production system where the gas tie-ins will, in near future, face a minimum flow problem due to glycol accumulation in pipelines, which will have a major impact on the production capacity. Subsea compression is one of the solutions being evaluated as a mean to prevent the reduced well flow. Subsea compression is currently a novel and unproven technology, but with great potential to reducing capital and operational expenditures, contra a topside solution. To capture this potential, technology qualification analyses are required to evaluate the technical feasibility and risks associated with the compression alternatives. In order to reveal technical uncertainties, a detailed failure mode identification and risk ranking of the new technology has been performed. The challenges involved in the delivery of such a system will revolve around the engineering of a system containing a high voltage electrical distribution system over a long step out and high speed rotating equipment, as well as the implementation of new subsea technologies such as magnetic bearing systems. Specific risks to the system arise from the breakdown in electrical devices due to the harsh environmental conditions of temperature and possible presence of process fluids. Compared to a topside facility, production forecast analyses have shown that a subsea processing unit has an equivalent potential to preserve high system availability.
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