Jumpers

  1. Production Engineering
  2. Subsea
  3. Flow Assurance


Subsea Rigid Jumper

In subsea oil/gas production systems, a subsea jumper, as shown a short pipe connector that is used to transport production fluid between two subsea components, for example, a tree and a manifold, a manifold and another manifold, or a manifold and an export sled. It may also connect other subsea structures such as PLEM/PLETs and riser bases. In addition to being used to transport production fluid, a jumper can also be used to inject water into a well. The offset distance between the components (such as trees, flowlines, and manifolds) dictates the jumper length and characteristics. Flexible jumper systems provide versatility, unlike rigid jumper systems, which limit space and handling capability.

Well jumpers

Well jumpers connect wells to manifolds. They are typically internally cladded with 3mm Inconel 625 to prevent corrosion.

Flowline jumpers

Flowline jumpers are used to connect between subsea flowlines and manifolds. They are typically carbon steel with no cladding. The flowline jumpers typically have a minimum bend radius of 5D to allow pigging.

Infield jumpers

Infield jumpers are typically used to connect production centers together. They are typically much longer than well jumpers and flowline jumpers and are typically made of carbon steel. If pigging functionality is required, they also need to have minimum 5D bend radius.

Flow assurance implications

Because of the jumper geometry, water tends to accumulate at the low spots of the jumpers during shut-in when the temperature cools down. This combination of low temperature and water accumulation creates flow assurance risk with regards to hydrate formation. The jumpers need to be either dead oil displaced or treated methanol during shut-in to prevent hydrate blockage.

References

  • C. Haver, Industry and Government Model for Ultra-Deepwater Technology Development, OTC 2008, Topical Luncheon Speech, Houston, 2008.
  • C.W. Burleson, Deep Challenge: The True Epic Story or Our Quest for Energy Beneath the Sea, Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas, 1999.
  • M. Golan, S. Sangesland, Subsea Production Technology, vol. 1, NTNU (The Norwegian University of Science and Technology), 1992.
  • Minerals Management Service, Deepwater Gulf of Mexico 2006: America’s Expanding Frontier, OCS Report, MMS 2006-022, 2006.
  • J. Westwood, Deepwater Markets and Game-Changer Technologies, presented at U.S. Department of Transportation 2003, Conference, 2003.
  • FMC Corporation, Subsea System, http://www.fmctechnologies.com/en/SubseaSystems.aspx, 2010.
  • H.J. Bjerke, Subsea Challenges in Ice-Infested Waters, USA-Norway Arctic Petroleum Technology Workshop, 2009.
  • International Standards Organization, Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries-Design and Operation of the Subsea Production Systems, Part 1: General Requirements and Recommendations, ISO, 2005, 13628-1.
  • International Standards Organization, Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries-Design and Operation of the Subsea Production Systems, Part 6: Subsea Production Control Systems, ISO, 2000, 13628-6.
  • M. Faulk, FMC ManTIS (Manifolds & Tie-in Systems), SUT Subsea Awareness Course, Houston, 2008.
  • C. Horn, Flowline Tie-in Presentation, SUT Subsea Seminar, 2008.
  • S. Fenton, Subsea Production System Overview, Vetco Gray, Clarion Technical Conferences, Houston, 2008.
  • P. Collins, Subsea Production Control and Umbilicals, SUT, Subsea Awareness Course, Houston, 2008.


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