3D Modeling and Simulation of Subsea Structures Tieback to Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Unit for Offshore Field Development

This paper seeks to model and simulate a 3D Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit and subsea structures for the separation of reservoir fluids. In this paper, each component on the hull of the FPSO and the subsea structures were constructively designed with Python codes written in Blender software according to ship building practice and offshore standards. Material (colour) was added to each component as well as environmental features to depict reality for deepwater operations with extreme weather conditions. Nanofiltration (NF) membrane separation technology was implemented into the modelling process for the purification of water to reduce the sulphate content for reinjection to boost productivity. Also, this study minimizes flow assurance problems to improve subsea production system (SPS) by installing a subsea separator which allows oil, gas, water and sand slurry phases to be separated prior to being boosted up the risers. Additionally, the separator design has an integrated sand slurry handling system which ensures proper sand management. Results from this paper show a final rendered work of a new generation of FPSO design tie back from subsea structures and the simulation (subsea and surface) of the reservoir fluids separation processes.