2 replies to this topic

what does the term 'top side' denotes in FPSO or in general what is the meaning of top side in oil and gas field?(for eg entire top side or entire top side flow lines) what does top side indicates ? please explain in detail.

[thorium90]

I think it means the stuff on the deck of the ship? All those equipment and pipes on the top of the ship.

[Shivshankar]

Krish,

Topside generally means structure installed on top of offshore platform including Oil Train, Gas Train and Utility.

Following process units in oil & gas offshore platform includes topside are,

• Oil, gas and water separation and stabilisation systems
• Gas compression systems for re-injection, gas lift or gas export
• Gas scrubbing and inter-cooling
• Gas dehydration systems
• Gas sweetening systems
• Water injection systems
• Produced water treatment systems
• Sand handling and treatment systems
• Stand-alone pressure vessels, pumps and instrumentation
• Methanol and chemical injection systems
• Power generation
• Utility systems

Some definitions from Internet below are

1) Topside is generic term describing equipment or processes above water on offshore facilities

2) On an offshore oil platform, Topsides refers to the surface hardware installed. This includes the oil production plant, the accommodation block and the drilling rig. They are often modular in design and so can be changed out if necessary allowing expensive platforms to be more readily updated with newer technology. On a boat, it is the part of the hull between the waterline and the deck.

Typical FPSO Topside

The processing of the well fluids on an FPSO is primarily located at the topside. The topside is located 3.5 m above the tanker deck. The topside is divided into several modules that provide the required functionality. These modules are comprised of crude separation, gas compression, gas treatment, utilities, power generation, etc.

The well fluids (oil, produced water and gas) flow from the subsea wells and/or manifolds through flow lines, pipelines and risers to the FPSO. The well fluids enter the Turret Mooring System (TMS) and are transferred from the geostatical part of the TMS to the rotating part of the TMS through the swivels. From the swivels the well fluids flow into the crude separation unit.

For more information, you can google with key word topside oil & gas process.

http://www.bluewater...7&contentID=257
http://www.bluewater...s_schematic.jpg

Hope this helps
.
Regards

Attached Files

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Edited by Shivshankar, 23 January 2013 - 03:55 AM.