API RP 17A (R2011)

Provides guidelines for the design, installation, operation, repair, and decommissioning of subsea production systems. The elements of subsea production systems included are wellheads (both subsea and mudline casing suspenion systems) and trees; pipelines and end connections; controls, control lines and control fluids; templates and manifolds; and production riser (both rigid and flexible). Other sections cover operations, quality assurance, materials, and corrosion. This is intended as an umbrella document to govern other parts of the subsea document suite of standards dealing with more detailed requirements for the subsystems which typically form part of a subsea production system. However, in some areas (e.g. system design, structures, manifolds, lifting devices, and color and marking) more detailed requirements are included herein, as these subjects are not covered in a subsystem standard. The complete subsea production system comprises several subsystems necessary to produce hydrocarbons from one or more subsea wells ad transfer them to a given processing facility located offshore (fixed, floating or subsea) or onshore, or to inject water/gas through subsea wells. Specialized equipment, such as specifically discussed because of their limited use. However, the information presented is applicable to those types of equipment.

This edition of RP 17A is the identical national adoption of ISO 13628-1:2005, Petroleum and natural gas industries-Design and operation of subsea production systems-Part 1: General requirements and recommendations. This recommended practice provides general requirements and overall recommendations for development of complete subsea production systems, from the design phase to decommissioning and abandonment. API RP 17A is intended as an umbrella document to govern other 17 series documents that deal with more detailed requirements for the subsystems which typically form part of a subsea production system. However, in some areas (e.g. system design, structures, manifolds, lifting devices, and color and marking) more detailed requirements are included herein, as these subjects are not covered in a subsystem standard.

Specialized equipment, such as split trees and trees and manifolds in atmospheric chambers, are not specifically discussed because of their limited use. However, the information presented is applicable to those types of equipment.