The Scarab/Saffron field development is the first deepwaterfield in the Mediterranean. To present day standards the waterdepth at the field location is not extreme and the pipelinesystem can be installed by “conventional” methods. The totalsystem comprises a large number of components, such as twolarge diameter export lines, a large PLEM, two manifolds,eight 10”in-field flow lines, umbilicals and their terminationunits, flying leads etc. However, the design and installationpresented some other challenges to the project team and theContractors.The system is installed in an area that is seismically active andhas a number of highly unusual seabed features. Seismicaspects played an important role in the layout of the systemand in the design of some of the foundations of the equipment.Up to now few fields have been designed in seismically activeareas and novel techniques were used to the design of some ofthe components.The challenges are in the variations in water-depth, (0 to 650meters), in pipeline diameter ( 4 inch to 36 inch) and thedifferent types of umbilicals. No single marine vessel canperform all the installation activities for such a wide range ofpipeline sizes and sub sea system components. Flat bottomderrick / lay barges, a semi-submersible installation vessel, asmall diameter pipeline installation vessel and other marineconstruction installation vessels were employed to perform theinstallation activities of the Scarab / Saffron fielddevelopment.The planning of the fabrication, delivery, testing, installationand commissioning in a relatively short time presented a majorchallenge to everybody working on the project.This paper presents details of the pipeline system and theconsiderations that led to the field layout. Methods ofinstallation and vessels used are described as well as capturedlessons learnt.
展开▼
