1. Remote Hot-tap on Åsgard
- First Remote Retrofit Hot-tap operation
Kjell Edvard Apeland
Project Leader Pipeline Tie-in & Repair
Statoil ASA

2. Hot tapping – principle methodology
First registered patent in 1909 by plumber O. H Netteberg of Drammen, Norway
SO – WHAT’S NEW?...
Source:

3. Subsea Hot-tap - Typical permanent works

4. Statoil’s focused technology efforts
Leading in seismic imaging and interpretation – to increase discovery and recovery
Step change in well-construction efficiency – to drill more cost-efficient wells
Pushing reservoir characterisation and recovery to the next level – to maximise value
Taking subsea longer, deeper and colder – to accelerate and increase production

5. Statoil Strategy - Remote hot tap technology Statoil PRS Pool - Haugesund - Norway
Emergency preparedness Pool for subsea pipelines
Founded in 1987
First Diver assisted Hot-tap in 1997
First Pre-installed Hot-tap tees installed with Statoil operated pipelines mid 1990’s
Initiated Remote Hot-tap development in 1999
Phase 1: Remote cutting system
Phase 2: Retrofit Tee technology

6. Statoil Strategy - Remote hot tap technology
Objective:
Remote operation / deep water application / high safety standard
Why important to develop subsea hot tap technology?
Provide full flexibility/independence when selecting tie-in location - cost effectiveness - utilize spare transport capacity in pipeline systems
Ensure distinct technology development in due time to capture business opportunities
Goals:
Increased safety
Reduced cost for future infrastructure development
Increased depth and pressure capability
Offshore training of PRS personnel – improved emergency preparedness for pipeline repair

7. Statoil Strategy - Remote hot tap technology Creating business opportunities
Gas infrastructure
Re-inforcement
2016
Åsgard SCP
2012
265 m
Ormen Lange x 2
2009
860 m
Retrofit Tee hot tap
Tampen Link
2008
145 m
Gullfaks
2000
Remote hot tapping
Jotun
1997
Diver assisted hot tap 7 7

8. Qualification Program Outline & Timescale Development milestones
1999:
Strategic development project initiated at Statoil PRS
2008:
Deep water testing to 145 m water depth, first and successful offshore operation, 145 m water depth at Tampen Link, Statfjord
2009:
Deep water testing to 940 m water depth in Sognefjorden, World’s deepest remote hot taps (2 off) at 860 m water depth at Ormen Lange field
2011:
Deep water testing of Remote Tee Welding Tool to 350 m water depth
2012:
Deep water testing and First offshore use of the Retrofit Tee Technology at 255 m water depth:
– Åsgard Subsea Compression

9. Remote Welded Retrofit Tee concept
Remote installation of a structural reinforcement clamp containing the branch pipe
Pressure barrier made by internal weld inside the branch pipe
Welding system contains all functions for making and monitoring the internal weld

10. Remote Welded Retrofit Tee concept Retrofit Tee Weld Development & Test Program
API 5L X65 insert pipe with 5mm Inconel 625 cladding
Cooling pipes
Inconel – Alloy 59 welding consumeable
Mock-up for hyperbaric testing in chamber
API 5L X65 mother
In total 9 years of hyperbaric welding qualification
2,5 years Åsgard application targeted qualification
6 pass GMAW /MIG fillet weld
22 minutes of arc-on time required to perform the offshore welding

11. Remote Welded Retrofit Tee Installation Equipment Installation Equipment
Retrofit Tee Installation Tool
Pipe Handling Frame as carrier for the Tee installation module
Tool weight ~35 Te
Tee weight for Åsgard ~4 Te
Maximum Tee Weight 30 Te
Depth rating: 1000 m
Upgradeable to at least: 2000 m

12. Remote Welded Retrofit Tee Installation Equipment Installation Equipment
Remote Tee Welding Tool
Branch size: 12 inch
Tool weight: 17 Te
Launching system including Active heave compensation and AHC/CT guide wire winches
Integrated umbilical for lifting, power, gas and control
Depth rating: 1000 m
Upgradeable to at least: 2000 m

13. Deep Water Trials Sognefjorden 2011
Remote Tee Welding Tool tested to 350 m water depth March 2011
Test umbilical used
Software and quality monitoring not completed
Produced 2 complete 6 pass welds with excellent results!

14. Deep Water Trials Nedstrandsfjorden 2012
Performed landing towards test/mock-up pipeline on sea-bed (270 msw)
Software and quality monitoring finalised and successfully used
Problems related to jammed rotation occured during weld number 3 – recoverd, repaired and successfully completed the subsea welding
Produced 4 complete 6 pass welds with excellent results!
Launching RTWT in Nedstrandsfjorden
The activated and welded Tee recovered to the vessel deck

15. Åsgard SCP hot tap campaign 2012
Offshore Installation
Åsgard Field 2012
Åsgard SCP hot tap campaign 2012
Involved vessel: Skandi Arctic
Mobilised 10. of August 2012
Demobilised 11. of Sept 2012
The newly qualified equipment performed 100%
Vessel including tools and organisation performed 100%
All offshore works successfully completed a few hours ahead of schedule

16. Offshore Installation video
Video clip from offshore

17. Conclusions Future potential
The new Remote Welded Retrofit Hot-tap Tee technology has been successfully qualified and field proven
Remote Hot-tap technology provides the most flexible tie-in solution avoiding shut down of transport systems
Large cost savings can be expected by the implementation of this technology, essential for marginal fields
Enabling sales to new markets by use of existing infrastructure (subsea and onshore facilities)
Hot-tap enables re-use or shared use of existing risers, useful where all riser slots/J-tubes are occupied
Future potential

18. Conclusions Hot tap connections – the most flexible development methodology in the future
Optimised pipeline routing
Avoiding shut-down of critical transport system
Improved operational characteristics
Enabling new field developments and increased IOR

19. Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the invaluable contribution of all the Åsgard Subsea Compression project team and the Åsgard Lisence partners:
Statoil acknowledge the vital contributions from the main contractors for the successful Remote Hot-tap testing and operation:

20. Åsgard Subsea Compression Hot-tap
Kjell Edvard Apeland
Tel: