Name
Restoring Integrity Without Retrieval: Innovative In-Situ Subsea Tree Repair at South Santa Cruz
Date & Time
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Alisa Broussard
Description

In February 2024, a loss of integrity was identified in the South Santa Cruz (SSC) subsea tree, part of the SSC–Barataria tieback to Blind Faith facility operated by Kosmos Energy. The breach occurred between the Production Wing Valve (PWV) and the Flowline Isolation Valve (FLIV), presenting a significant challenge: re-establishing hydrocarbon containment without retrieving the tree. Conventional approaches—such as full tree recovery—were not economically or operationally feasible, requiring a novel in-situ solution. Working with Trendsetter Engineering, Kosmos developed and executed the first-ever Gulf of America deployment of an energized internal isolation sleeve to restore subsea tree integrity. The solution extended across the compromised flange connection, with dual barrier seals providing internal pressure containment. To supplement the repair, an external strong-back clamp was engineered to support the flange and reduce bolt fatigue. Qualification testing, custom cleaning tools, and go/no-go gauges were developed to validate the design and assure reliable installation. The repair was executed subsea with full pressure testing confirming success. This case represents a pioneering example of in-situ subsea tree remediation in the Gulf of America. It demonstrates how a collaborative and innovative engineering approach can restore integrity, extend field life, and avoid costly tree recovery operations.
 

Location Name
Room 294
Full Address
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70130
United States