Design and Performance – Testing of a New Solution for Subsea Separation

Separating gas, oil, water, and sand at the seabed has great economic potential for many subsea field developments. A subsea separator can avoid or simplify costly surface platforms or floating vessels, as well as being an efficient tool to enhance hydrocarbon production. One solution of interest is the separation and re-injection of water at the seabed to avoid bringing the water up to the surface facility. A new subsea separation concept for such a system has been demonstrated through an extensive qualification programme that has included performance testing at full-scale and is now available for installation subsea.