Offshore staff

HOUSTON -- First gas has successfully been achieved from the CameronDC all-electric subsea production system, which was installed as part of the K5F project developed by Total E&P Nederland B.V. (TEPNL) in the Dutch sector of the North Sea.

The successful start-up of the K5 field marks the world's first utilization of an all-electric subsea production system. The project includes a three-well combined template/manifold installed in 40 m (131 ft) of water controlled from an existing platform 18 km (11 mi) away. Production is piped back to an unmanned platform 10 km (6 mi) away. The initial installation encompasses two template/manifold-mounted trees with the option for two additional trees in the future, one of which would be a satellite tree.

The system, supplied by Cameron and named CameronDC because it utilizes
DC power, includes:

Fully redundant, all-electric control system configured for four wells, including tree-mounted electric subsea control modules (ESCMs), manifold-mounted power regulation and control modules (PRCMs) including end terminations for the coaxial cable supplying power and communication, master control station (MCS), electric power, and communications units (EPCU) and sea water return cathode/anode system.

CameronDC christmas trees with electrically actuated production and annulus valves, electrically actuated chemical injection valves, and electrically actuated insert-retrievable chokes.

The CameronDC system features full redundancy throughout and offers feedback during operation including instantaneous feedback on valve and choke operation and the ability to track operational characteristics throughout the life of the system. Valve-mounted spring packages ensure that the system is fail-safe close should a loss of power or communication occur.

CameronDC is a complete all-electric system from surface to subsea. The technology replaces conventional hydraulic technology to improve financial performance through improved reliability, enhanced performance, and the elimination of hydraulic discharge to the environment.

09/17/2008