HPHT platform wellheads & Christmas trees - performance testing to installation

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HPHT platform wellheads & Christmas trees - performance testing to installation

Thomson, K. / Adamek, F.C.

Reservoir depths, pressures and temperatures are continuing to increase. New terms such as HPHT are being coined to reflect the special class of UK North sea wells that reflect production temperatures of 300 degree F and higher and production pressures of at least 10,000 psi. This paper examines two HPHT platform production equipment scenarios including the qualification testing and installation. These include the: Erskine Field: 350 degree F & 15,000 psi. and the Elgin-Franklin Field: 400 degree F & 15,000 psi. Previous HPHT wells in the USA (Brazos, Mobile Bay and Norphlet) have been drilled and are producing as special projects focusing on the equipment technology development needs to produce these extreme temperature (>350 degree F) and pressure (shut in pressures as high as 19,000 psi) wells. Production wellhead and trees were developed in the 1970's for 15, 20 and 30,000 psi and temperatures to 300 degree F. In the 1980's fire resistant equipment incorporating a new class of metal seal technology was developed. In the 90's, the addition of extreme temperatures approaching 450 degree F required re-qualification efforts by several equipment manufacturers. Today the HPHT class of equipment focuses on qualification of complete equipment design families.