Remotely Operated Tools and Interfaces on Subsea Production Systems

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 17H THIRD EDITION, JULY 2019

Special Notes

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Copyright © 2019 American Petroleum Institute

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Foreword

This standard shall become effective on the date printed on the cover but may be used voluntarily from the date of distribution.

Standards referenced herein may be replaced by other international or national standards that can be shown to meet or exceed the requirements of the referenced standard.

This American National Standard is under the jurisdiction of the API Subcommittee on Subsea Production Systems. Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

ThisdocumentwasproducedunderAPIstandardizationproceduresthatensureappropriatenotificationandparticipation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually and updated quarterly by API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.

Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards and Publications Department, API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001, standards@api.org.

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Contents

Page

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations 2

   1. Terms and Definitions 2

   2. Acronyms and Abbreviations 5

4. Subsea Facilities Design 6

   1. Intervention Philosophy 6

   2. Intervention Strategies 7

   3. Intervention System Design 8

   4. Typical Components 9

   5. Intervention Methods 9

   6. Typical Subsea Vehicle Configurations 10

   7. Intervention Vessels 12

   8. Component and Module Intervention 12

   9. Tie-in Systems 13

   10. System Interfaces 13

5. Design Recommendations 14

   1. General 14

   2. Surface Equipment 17

   3. Intervention Tools 21

   4. Module/Component Replacement Tools 21

   5. Subsea Intervention Tooling Control and Actuation 22

   6. Indicator Systems 25

6. Subsea Intervention Interfaces 26

   1. General 26

   2. Subsea Vehicle Access 26

   3. Vehicle Stabilization 29

   4. Manipulator Interface Handles 35

   5. Rotary Low-torque Interface 37

   6. Low-torque Reaction Flange 39

   7. Rotary High-torque Interface 40

   8. Linear (Push) Interfaces, Type A and Type C 43

   9. Linear (Push) Interface, Type B 45

   10. Hot Stab Connections 47

   11. Rotary Fluid Coupling 63

   12. Component Change-out Interface 66

   13. Lifting Mandrels 71

   14. Electrical and Hydraulic Flying Lead Handling 73

   15. Docking Base 77

   16. Docking Structure 80

   17. Data Transfer 80

   18. Data Harvesting 81

   19. Energy Recharging 81

7. AUV Navigational Requirements 82

   1. General 82

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      Page

   2. AUV Docking Station Standoff Distance 82

   3. Subsea Docking Station Vertical Approach Lane 82

   4. Subsea Docking Station Horizontal Approach Lane 82

   5. Communication/Data Harvesting Interfaces 83

8. Materials 83

   1. General Recommendations 83

   2. Selection criteria 83

9. Quality Control 84

10. Subsea Marking 84

    1. General 84

    2. Color Design 84

    3. Marking Guidelines 87

11. Validation and Verification 90

    1. Design Verification 90

    2. Design Validation 93

Annex A (informative) Access 96

Annex B (informative) Manipulator Operating Envelopes 97

Annex C (informative) Alternative Designs for End-effectors 98

Bibliography 101

Figures

1. Typical Work Class ROV/AUV Operationally Configured 11

2. Typical Interfaces on a Subsea Tree 11

3. Typical ROT Configuration 12

4. Grab Bar for Stabilization 30

5. Docking Probe and Receptacle 31

6. Typical Tooling Envelope for Twin-docking TDU 32

7. Typical Tooling Envelope for Single-docking TDU 33

8. Docking Receptacle Loading 34

9. Handles for Use with Manipulators 36

10. Handle for Use with TDU 37

11. Low-torque Receptacle 38

12. Low-torque Interface Flange 39

13. Rotary Torque Receptacle 41

14. Linear Push Interface, Type A 44

15. Linear Push Interface, Type C 45

16. Linear Push Interface Type B 46

17. Typical Hot Stab with Locking Arrangement and Hydraulic Connection 49

18. Typical Type 1 Hot Stab 50

19. Single Bore Multiport Hot Stab Receptacle 51

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    Contents

    Page

20. Type 1 Installation Envelope 53

21. Typical Type 2 Hot Stab 54

22. Dual-bore, Dual-port Tapered Hot Stab Receptacle 54

23. Type 2 Installation Envelope 55

24. Typical Type 3 Hot Stab 56

25. Single-port, High-flow Hot Stab 57

26. Type 3 Installation Envelope 59

27. Typical Type 4 Hot Stab 60

28. Dual-entry, High-flow Hot Stab 60

29. Type 4 Installation Envelope 62

30. “J” Slot Lock 63

31. “J” Slot Details 64

32. Rotary Fluid Coupling 65

33. Component Change-out (CCO) Interface 67

34. Component Change-out (CCO) Interface Structure 68

35. Component Change-out (CCO) Lockdown Post Receptacle 69

36. Component Change-out (CCO) Lockdown and Weight System 69

37. Component Change-out (CCO) Interface Layout Options 70

38. Lifting Mandrels 71

39. Lifting Mandrel in Relation to Component Change-out Interface 72

40. Manipulator Connection Operations 73

41. Tool Deployment Unit (TDU) Connection Operations 74

42. Multiple-quick Connection (MQC) 75

43. Typical Flying Lead in Disengaged/Engaged Positions 76

44. Combined Gripper and Torque Tool Envelopes for Flying Lead Handling 77

45. Type 1 Docking Arrangement 78

46. Type 2 Docking Arrangement 78

47. Docking Base Dimensional Requirements (with Mudmat Foundation) 79

48. Docking Structure Example 80

A.1 Clearances 96

1. Typical Five-function Grabber Envelopes 97

2. Typical Seven-function Manipulator Envelopes 97

1. Alternative Profiles for End-effectors 99

2. Alternative Profiles for End-effectors 100

Tables

1. Space Requirements for Vertical Access 28

2. Typical Docking Parameters 34

3. Rotary Actuator Intervention Fixture Classification 40

4. Dimensions for Receptacle Classes 1 to 7 (Dimensions in inches [millimeters]) 42

5. Principle Dimensions for Type 1 Receptacle 52

6. Envelope Dimensions for Type 1 Receptacle 53

7. Principle Dimensions for Type 2 Receptacles 55

8. Envelope Dimensions for Type 2 Receptacles 56

9. Principle Dimensions for Type 3 Receptacles 58

10. Envelope Dimensions for Type 3 Receptacles 59

11. Principle Dimensions for Type 4 Receptacles 61

12. Envelope Dimensions for Type 4 Receptacles 62

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    Contents

    Page

13. “J” Slot Lock Interface Dimensions 64

14. Marking Colors, Part 1 85

15. Marking Colors, Part 2 86

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Introduction

This Recommended Practice provides general recommendations and overall guidance for the design and operation of remotely operated tools comprising ROT, ROV and AUV tooling, used on subsea production systems for the petroleum and natural gas industries worldwide.

The third edition of this document incorporates the content of API 17TR15 and the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Interfaces in a Subsea Production Environment Recommended Practice produced by DeepStar® Phase XI.

This RP provides guidance when designing for subsea operations to interact with (or near) subsea production systems. The framework and specifications set out will enable the user to design the appropriate interface for a specific application.

Technical Report 17TR15 clarified and defined the most commonly used hot stab types, as well as documented some obsolete sizes. The goal of the technical report was to increase standardization, and to maintain backward compatibility and interchangeability with existing installations and with previous publications (API 17H, API 53, and API 16D).

Specific recommendations are provided where a standard design or operating principles has been adopted and are accepted as standard industry practice. Requirements valid for certain geographic areas or environmental conditions, are included where applicable.

The functional recommendations for the tooling systems and interfaces on the subsea production system allow alternative solutions to suit the field specific requirements. The intention is to facilitate and complement the decision process rather than replace individual engineering judgment and to provide positive guidance for the selection of an optimum solution.

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Remotely Operated Tools and Interfaces on Subsea Production Systems

1. Scope

   
   

   API Recommended Practice 17H provides recommendations for development and design of remotely operated subsea tools and interfaces on subsea production systems to maximize the potential of standardizing equipment and design principles.

   
   

   This document does not cover manned intervention, internal wellbore intervention, internal flowline inspection, tree running and tree running equipment. However, all the related subsea ROV/ROT/AUV interfaces are covered by this standard. It is applicable to the selection, design and operation of ROTs, ROVs and AUVs including ROV tooling, hereafter defined as “subsea intervention systems”.

   
   

   This Recommended Practice (RP) provides functional requirements and guidelines for ROV/ROT/AUV interfaces in subsea production fields for the petroleum and natural gas industries. It is applicable to both the selection and use of ROV/ROT/AUV interfaces related to subsea production equipment and provides guidance on design as well as the operational requirements for maximizing the potential of standardized equipment and design principles. This RP identifies the issues to be considered when designing for ROV/ROT/AUV operations to interact with (or near) subsea production systems. The framework and specifications set out enables the user (whether they may be on the ROV/ROT/AUV side or production facility side) to design the appropriate interface for a specific application. These interfaces include subsea docking, recharging, data transfer, data harvesting, and mechanical intervention.

   
   

   It is anticipated that in the future, resident ROVs/AUVs near the seabed can provide high value for oil and gas inspection, monitoring, and maintenance and repair activities. The benefits of employing ROVs/AUVs in such situations include reduced operating costs and improved safety. The guidelines established in this RP leads to efficient development and deployment of ROV/ROT/AUV systems, providing clarity for operators, contractors, and developers. Recommendations have been provided in a flexible manner to accommodate a wide variation of AUV styles and applications, while maintaining an appropriate level of interface commonality for specification.

   
   

   This document defines four major categories of hot stabs and describes the geometry to maintain compatibility across all manufacturers. The categories were first introduced in Technical Report 17TR15 which described several common or previously used hydraulic hot stab and receptacle configurations. The approach is to ensure backward compatibility of the hot stabs described in API Recommended Practice 17H, 2nd Edition and to align API RP 17H with API S53 and API 16D.

   
   

   This RP is not intended to replace sound engineering judgment as to when and where its provisions are to be used. Users need to be aware that additional or differing details may be required to meet a specific service or local legislation.

   
   

   This document is not intended to deter the development of new technology. The intention is to facilitate and complement the decision processes, and the responsible engineer is encouraged to review standard interfaces and re-use intervention tooling in the interests of minimizing life-cycle costs and increasing the use of proven interfaces.

   
   

2. Normative References

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

API Specification 6A, Specification for Wellhead and Tree Equipment

API Specification 16D, Control Systems for Drilling Well Control Equipment and Control Systems for Diverter Equipment

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