V-LIFE Saves Jobs & Oil Production for Leading Independent Operator
February 6, 2020
As well as continuously monitoring IR levels, V-LIFE uses an electro-kinetic and electrochemical process to actively heal and improve cable insulation that is failing due to water ingress.
V-LIFE can be used as a preventative measure or to extend the life of a failing electrical distribution system, as we can see in this case study of a leading independent operator suffering from Low Insulation Resistance on its subsea electrical systems.
Problem.
In October 2016, the operator was suffering from extremely low insulation resistance (IR) in both of their power channels to the subsea wells, threatening their production of oil and early field abandonment, as the standard repair was not economically viable.
Solution.
Viper were brought in to carry out a technical review of the system status and interfaces, the conclusion of which was to recommend applying the V-LIFE technology. The engineering was completed, equipment shipped, and an engineer mobilised within 4 weeks of the first request for assistance.
V-LIFE was commissioned on 27th October 2016 and the Insulation Resistance (IR) recovered to 1mohm within the first few hours, enabling power to be re-established to the subsea system, and more than 100MΩ in a matter of a week. As a result of the success with the first installation, the operator decided to install V-LIFE on a further two channels in January 2017, which also improved significantly in a short period of time.
The V-LIFE technology sustained the Insulation Resistance (IR) of all three circuits for the 18 month period until the field reached the end of its planned operational life in 2018, enabling a significant volume of additional oil to be produced.
The entire Viper team was pleased to receive the following feedback from our client;
“I am very proud of the V-LIFE installations. Thanks to this technology we were able to defer field abandonment for approximately 18 months, which allowed us to recover additional oil reserves and save many jobs. The team offshore were always grateful for the ‘magic boxes’ that allowed the field to continue production.”
