Pipeline Design for Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Developments

The paper discusses pipeline design for deep water Gulf of Mexico offshore developments. Hydrate formation, paraffin formation, well testing and slug flow are addressed. Remote subsea systems, floating production systems and tension leg platforms are briefly explained and the influence of each concept on pipeline design is discussed. A pipeline design for each development option is presented for an assumed "typical" deepwater Gulf of Mexico oil reservoir. The relative cost and merit of each option is discussed. The paper illustrates how reservoir producing characteristics influence pipeline design. Finally, conclusions specific to the example reservoir are presented.