Research on the method of repairing gas lift pipeline from FPSO Ruby - II to Pearl wellhead platform

Abstract

Some offshore oilfields of Vietnam such as Bach Ho, Rong, Dai Hung, Ruby,… are at this moment in the secondary recovery stage. Gas lift production is one of the suitable methods in this period. Gas lift has proved itself as a more advantageous method in comparisons with other mechanical methods applied at Ruby oilfield. On the Pearl wellhead platform located in Ruby field, a gas lift system is installed to serve for the extraction of petroleum. The system is provided with compressed gas supplied from the FPSO Ruby II through a subsea 6 inches pipeline gas lift. For the sake of effective producing activity, it is a vital task to ensure the safety of this pipeline system during operations. In the case of failures, reparation should be applied immediately to minimize shutdown time and reduce the cost of troubleshooting. This article presents the “smart flange” technique to repair the gas lift pipeline system from the FPSO Ruby - II to the Pearl wellhead platform. Results of the work provide realistic knowledge to propose practical solutions to the maintenance and reparation of this system and thus, improve its operation.