Site: Mobil North Sea Ltd.
Grampian House, Union Row
Aberdeen AB1 1SA, Scotland
United Kingdom
Telephone: 0224 855 000
Fax: 0224 855 577
Telex: 39435

Date Visited: May 14, 1993

Report Author: C. Brancart

ATTENDEES

WTEC:

D. Blidberg
C. Brancart
L. Gentry
J. Mooney

OTHER:

J. Sampson (ONR London)

HOSTS:

Donald G. Langrock; Development Engineering

BACKGROUND

Mobil is one of the users of the technology and hardware developed by firms with ocean-oriented products. In its position, Mobil can direct the technology to places where it is needed. The Mobil-FSSL Diverless Intervention System is a prime example of this operating mode.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

The object of the Mobil Intervention program is to maintain a subsea "tree" (completion system) by an ROV in water depths to 1,000 m. The justification for this program is cost savings. For example, two cases were presented that review operating costs (see Table Mobil.1).

The capabilities of the Mobil-FSSL Diverless Intervention System are:

• Component replacement
• Valve operation
• Valve maintenance and pressure testing
• Control umbilical and flow lines installation

Table Mobile.1
Two-Case Scenario for Operating Costs
(Monetary figures given in U.S. dollars)

The benefits derived from this capability are:

• Reduced installation and maintenance costs
• Increased safety
• Reduced weather-related downtime
• Delivery by an ROV of opportunity
• Working depths to 1,000 m

SUMMARY

The Mobil-FSSL Diverless Intervention System is presently being tested and evaluated. The basic ROV is the Slingsby MRV, with add-on modules that triple its size. Results to date have been very encouraging.

Mobil identified the following technology areas that should be developed for future subsea completion system needs:

• Autonomous navigation
• Better ROV trusters (more vehicle control)
• Better and faster data communications (7 to 10 km is present limit)
• New manipulators
• Supervisory control
• Lock-on capability
• Tactile sensor systems
• 3-D video to operate manipulator without operator intervention

REFERENCES

Brochure.