Learn key areas of subsea engineering that you should master to succeed in your subsea career. From subsea systems and components to subsea safety engineering.

Lesson learned, many years ago while fabricating and installing subsea riser clamps. Always run opening and closing tests on the clamps when in the shop, using the smallest person in the shop. Because, if you can't close them in the dry with ease, your problems with closing them subsea are 10 fold and impact scheduling and cost dramatically. By doing this testing in the dry we were able to install and fasten well ahead of budget and schedule.

1. **Subsea Systems**: Understand components like wellheads, manifolds, and control systems. 2. **Riser and Flowline Design**: Learn about design considerations for transporting fluids from seabed to surface. 3. **Hydrodynamics**: Understand the impact of water 4. **Pipeline and Umbilical Engineering**: Learn about design, installation, and maintenance of these critical components. 5. **Risk Assessment and Reliability Engineering**: Evaluate and mitigate risks associated with subsea operations. 6. **Subsea Inspection and Maintenance**: Comprehend strategies for monitoring and maintaining subsea infrastructure. 7. **Environmental Considerations**: Understand the impact of subsea operations on the marine environment

Always have a spare set of ring gaskets on board. Gaskets are cheap, especially regular iron or soft steel ones. Flying one out from the beach, at 6 am on a bank holiday weekend Sunday, while the DSV sits there and the OCM and client rep are both jumping up and down, however ...

While laying pipe ,the Tensioners we’re suppose to talk to the A&R winch . So said the book , it never did. I just got hired on ; this went on for a few weeks and asked my supervisor why are Tensioners tearing up all the time when we lay the end down? He said that the Tensioners and A&R are messing up. I said why don’t we just stop the A&R and leave enough weight on the Tensioners and set the Dog . This way the tensioners will not act up. So I got promoted tensioner operator. So finally . We found out who ever installed the application in the wheel house did not connect both of them, with an Ethernet cable for the two to communicate. So don’t believe everything you read!

What are the essential subsea engineering topics to master?

Subsea engineering is a specialized branch of engineering that deals with the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of underwater structures, systems, and equipment. It is a challenging and rewarding field that requires a combination of technical, practical, and creative skills. If you are interested in pursuing a career in subsea engineering, or want to enhance your existing knowledge and abilities, here are some of the essential subsea engineering topics and concepts that you should master.

1 Subsea systems and components

Subsea engineering involves working with various types of subsea systems and components, such as pipelines, risers, umbilicals, valves, manifolds, wellheads, trees, controls, sensors, connectors, and ROVs. You should be familiar with the functions, specifications, configurations, and interactions of these elements, as well as their design criteria, fabrication methods, installation procedures, testing protocols, and operational issues. You should also be able to apply relevant codes, standards, and best practices to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of subsea systems and components.

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Sameh Elsabbagh

Instrumentation and Control Systems Expert with extensive experience in Oil & Gas and Energy industries coronated with Zohr Gas field Subsea Field Development
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In my experience, being familiar with types of Subsea systems and components is very crucial in order to design an effective subsea system (i.e. fulfilling operational requirements while maintaining good CAPEX as well as OPEX). This is the starting point in order to successfully achieve the concept selection and constructively catering for drivers and layout constraints that dictate the the Basic Field architectural/ layout. Furthermore, I found the knowledge of the state-of-art technology / applications along with their Technical Readiness Level as per API 17-N significantly essential in making architectural decisions. This will save lot of efforts and clear risks for the next stages during the Field Development Process.

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2 Subsea fluid mechanics and hydraulics

Subsea engineering requires a solid understanding of the principles and applications of fluid mechanics and hydraulics, especially in relation to subsea production and processing. You should be able to analyze the flow behavior, pressure drop, heat transfer, and multiphase phenomena of subsea fluids, such as oil, gas, water, and chemicals. You should also be able to design, model, and optimize subsea hydraulic systems and circuits, such as pumps, valves, actuators, accumulators, and compensators. You should also be aware of the challenges and solutions for subsea fluid handling and separation, such as slugging, hydrate formation, sand erosion, and corrosion.

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3 Subsea geotechnical and structural engineering

Subsea engineering involves dealing with complex and dynamic geotechnical and structural engineering problems, such as soil-structure interaction, foundation design, seabed stability, slope failure, scouring, and vibration. You should be able to perform geotechnical investigations and assessments, such as soil sampling, testing, and characterization. You should also be able to design, analyze, and evaluate subsea structural components and systems, such as pipelines, risers, platforms, and frames. You should also be able to apply appropriate methods and tools for subsea geotechnical and structural engineering, such as finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, and risk analysis.

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Norbert HUNIADE (M.Eng)
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Use of the relevant standard and codes during the design and appropriate safety factors ensure the structural integrity of designed equipments during their lifetime. Also, correct assessment of the load cases, environmental loads and constraints.

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4 Subsea control and instrumentation engineering

Subsea engineering involves using advanced control and instrumentation engineering techniques and technologies to monitor, control, and optimize subsea systems and processes. You should be able to design, implement, and troubleshoot subsea control systems and networks, such as electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and optical systems. You should also be able to select, install, and calibrate subsea instruments and sensors, such as pressure, temperature, flow, level, and position sensors. You should also be able to use subsea data acquisition, processing, and communication systems, such as SCADA, PLC, RTU, and telemetry systems.

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5 Subsea project management and engineering

Subsea engineering involves managing and executing subsea projects from conception to completion, involving multiple stakeholders, disciplines, phases, and activities. You should be able to plan, organize, coordinate, and lead subsea projects, such as feasibility studies, conceptual design, detailed engineering, procurement, fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and decommissioning. You should also be able to apply project management and engineering tools and techniques, such as project charter, scope statement, work breakdown structure, schedule, budget, risk register, quality plan, change management, and lessons learned.

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6 Subsea environmental and safety engineering

Subsea engineering involves working in a harsh and hazardous environment that poses significant risks to human health and the environment. You should be able to identify, assess, and mitigate the environmental and safety impacts of subsea activities, such as oil spills, gas leaks, noise pollution, marine life disturbance, and occupational hazards. You should also be able to comply with the environmental and safety regulations and standards that govern subsea operations, such as ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, API RP 17A, and NORSOK standards. You should also be able to promote a culture of environmental and safety awareness and responsibility among subsea stakeholders.

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Uzoma Nwogu

Subsea/Well Test Design Engineer
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... as well as API 17G which provides recommendation actions for design, testing, operation of completion and workover riser systems from floating vessels

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Andrew Crawford

Integrity Manager at Buffalo Inspection
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Lesson learned, many years ago while fabricating and installing subsea riser clamps. Always run opening and closing tests on the clamps when in the shop, using the smallest person in the shop. Because, if you can't close them in the dry with ease, your problems with closing them subsea are 10 fold and impact scheduling and cost dramatically. By doing this testing in the dry we were able to install and fasten well ahead of budget and schedule.

Like
Ifeanyi Enyia

ROV Pilot Supervisor. Diving Systems and ROV Systems Auditor.
Report contribution
1. **Subsea Systems**: Understand components like wellheads, manifolds, and control systems. 2. **Riser and Flowline Design**: Learn about design considerations for transporting fluids from seabed to surface. 3. **Hydrodynamics**: Understand the impact of water 4. **Pipeline and Umbilical Engineering**: Learn about design, installation, and maintenance of these critical components. 5. **Risk Assessment and Reliability Engineering**: Evaluate and mitigate risks associated with subsea operations. 6. **Subsea Inspection and Maintenance**: Comprehend strategies for monitoring and maintaining subsea infrastructure. 7. **Environmental Considerations**: Understand the impact of subsea operations on the marine environment

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Darren Heal

Engineering Manager / Project Manager onshore and offshore pipeline engineering.
(edited)
Report contribution
Always have a spare set of ring gaskets on board. Gaskets are cheap, especially regular iron or soft steel ones. Flying one out from the beach, at 6 am on a bank holiday weekend Sunday, while the DSV sits there and the OCM and client rep are both jumping up and down, however ...

Like
Jack Canterbury

Operator/ Mechanic at Technip
Report contribution
While laying pipe ,the Tensioners we’re suppose to talk to the A&R winch . So said the book , it never did. I just got hired on ; this went on for a few weeks and asked my supervisor why are Tensioners tearing up all the time when we lay the end down? He said that the Tensioners and A&R are messing up. I said why don’t we just stop the A&R and leave enough weight on the Tensioners and set the Dog . This way the tensioners will not act up. So I got promoted tensioner operator. So finally . We found out who ever installed the application in the wheel house did not connect both of them, with an Ethernet cable for the two to communicate. So don’t believe everything you read!

Like

What are the essential subsea engineering topics to master?

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2

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4

5

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1 Subsea systems and components

2 Subsea fluid mechanics and hydraulics

3 Subsea geotechnical and structural engineering

4 Subsea control and instrumentation engineering

5 Subsea project management and engineering

6 Subsea environmental and safety engineering

7 Here’s what else to consider

Subsea Engineering

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