Applicability Criteria for Subsea Developments: A Study on the HSE Aspects, Technical Limits, Commercial Constraints, and Other Non-Technical Factors to be Discussed while Framing and Sanctioning a Subsea Project

Abstract The persistence of the current downturn of the subsea industry offers the opportunity to rethink the reasons of the success of subsea and deepwater projects over the past two decades to (a) identify where and how subsea technologies can be effectively used to create value for an operator, and (b) which are the subsea applicability limits, either real or perceived, that may suggest opting for a different field development concept. This paper discusses the definition and use of the applicability criteria for subsea developments. Further to a brief methodology note, these criteria are then used to map, in a qualitative way, different situations where a project may benefit from the adoption of subsea technologies. HSE aspects, technical limits to the required technologies, commercial constraints, profitability during field life, effectiveness of hydrocarbons recovery and other non-technical factors (from human error to geopolitics) are illustrated and arranged into a logical, clear frame to map the proposed applicability ranges for subsea developments. The applicability maps are then employed to briefly discuss some significant aspects of the booming success of the subsea industry from its first ‘golden age’ (1999-2014) and also a few issues and challenges that deserve some attention while preparing for the next subsea and deepwater ‘boom’.