JPT

 

Vol. 58 No. 6

June 2006

Deepwater Exploration and Production

Flow-Assurance Lessons: The Mica Tieback

Flow assurance plays a significant role in asset development. In the case of ultradeep water, the role is major. The Mica field uses the longest tieback in the Gulf of Mexico and has been in operation for more than 4 years. The Mica wells are tied back through two 29-mile flowlines (one for gas and one for oil) to a major facility (Pompano). A review of Mica, comparing original flow-assurance-design strategies with current operational strategies, revealed several learnings, particularly involving paraffin, corrosion, erosion, hydrates, and slugging.

Synopsis of OTC 18384

This article, written by Technology Editor Dennis Denney, contains highlights of paper OTC 18384, "Flow-Assurance Lessons: The Mica Tieback," by A.L. Ballard, SPE, BP America Inc., prepared for the 2006 Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, 1-4 May. Copyright 2006 Offshore Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission.

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