GE Oil & Gas

Subsea Systems

Subsea trees
Proven systems for easy installation and reliable
operation in all water depths and operating conditions

Subsea trees
Subsea trees are complex configurations of valves and other components,
installed at the wellhead to monitor and control production flow, and manage
gas or fluids injection. Valve orientations can be either vertical with production
tubing suspended in the wellhead, or horizontal with production tubing
suspended in the tree. Design and materials are determined by operating
conditions and physical environment of each specific well with key factors
including pressure, flow, temperature and water depth. Water depth has the
most significant design implications because it determines operating pressure,
structural integrity requirements and type of topside vessel involved.

GE Oil & Gas solutions

GE Oil & Gas designs subsea tree systems for every water depth in the offshore
industry including the technologies that enable moves into deeper waters
and more challenging environments. Our current capabilities include depths of
0-3,000 m and reservoir shut-in conditions of 350F and 15,000 psi.
We have supplied more than 1,200 tree systems over the last 40 years, with a
current installed base including every major production basin worldwide. Our
proven portfolio covers all applications from shallow-water, single-well satellites
to major deepwater developments; from low-pressure reservoirs with artificial
stimulation or lift, to high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) applications.

Pushing subsea boundaries

Environmental health & safety (EHS)

GE Oil & Gas has an extensive range of subsea trees to suit a wide variety
of oil and production challenges. These trees can be provided individually
or as part of an integrated EPC package covering full field development.
Our latest range of shallow, medium and deepwater (S, M & D-Series)
trees all draw from GEs structured engineering approach to maximize
manufacturing efficiency, quality and consistency across the product
portfolio and enable faster delivery cycles and improved reliability.

All our facilities and personnel operate to the highest standards. We

employ rigorous test, audit and review procedures in everything we do
minimizing risk at all stages of our product and service life cycles from
development to ongoing operating support. We have received many
customer and independent agency awards for our EHS performance, and
we are extremely proud of every one because safety is something we take
seriously in all aspects of our business.

Innovation Now

Compliance & governance

GE Oil & Gas is a leading supplier of advanced solutions for the entire oil
and gas industry from drilling and production, LNG, pipelines and storage
to industrial power generation, refinery, petrochemicals and pipeline
integrity solutions. Drawing on the whole of the GE global organization,
from Healthcare to Aviation, our products continue to reach higher levels
of reliability, availability and efficiency. As the industry faces continually
greater challenges, we believe technology is key to overcoming each one
safely and efficiently. We are committed to providing Innovation Now
and paving the way for a bright future in oil and gas.

In a time of rigorous regulation and enforcement, strong compliance

and governance processes are more important than ever for global
organizations. Merely having internal policies is not enough. Companies
must devote significant attention and resources to ensure such rules are
embedded in employees actions every day.

Quality & reliability

In todays high-risk projects where equipment availability and environmental
protection is paramount, there is no room for failure. Nowhere are the
challenges greater than in subsea applications. GE Oil & Gas draws
experience from a massive installed base built up over the last 40 years.
We work closely with clients to monitor progress and continually find new
ways to increase the quality and reliability of our products.

For more than 125 years, GE has demonstrated an unwavering

commitment to performance with integrity, and we have built a worldwide
reputation for lawful and ethical conduct. We go beyond simply obeying
the law we embrace the spirit of integrity. Our integrity policy The Spirit
& The Letter helps ensure that our employees conduct our affairs with
unyielding integrity. Processes are in place for executive and employee
accountability, training, continuous improvement, and an open reporting
environment to set the tone for a culture of integrity everywhere, every day
and by all our employees.

S-Series
Shallow-water

solutions

Our S-Series trees are designed to maximize safety and efficiency for jack-up drilling
operations in water depths up to 100 m and operating pressures up to 10,000 psi.
Designs are based on an in-depth understanding of environmental challenges
including weather, sub-surface currents, poor visibility, and fishing interaction. Key
advantages include smaller size, fisher-friendly wellhead protection structures, and
an innovative barrier philosophy that removes the need for a separate tree cap.
Our designs also enable lowest-cost installation, with deployment using standard
offshore jack-up drilling rigs and no need for major modifications.

VetcoGray SVXT
Our latest award-winning vertical tree has an enhanced,
integrated master valve block design that reduces
overall size and weight a minimum 20% lighter and
30% shorter than our traditional tree-on-mudline (TOM)
systems. With 20 years of proven in-field experience
around the world, our TOMs are widely considered
the industry benchmark for harsh shallow-water
environments.

Simpler installation

Greater control

GE Oil & Gas Smart Tools improve installation by eliminating the need
for diver or remote-vehicle (ROV) assistance. With no more waiting on
weather, customers have much greater flexibility for launch scheduling
and logistics. This gives the S-Series significant cost and operational
advantages over fixed platform or semi-submersible drilled wells. Smart
Tools can be provided as a service by our personnel, or in rental packages.

The S-Series comes with our award-winning SemStar5 ModPod control

system. This fifth-generation subsea electronics module draws on our
field-proven technologies from over 30 years of subsea experience. The
radical new design optimizes flexibility, durability and reliability with
features such as open-architecture communications access, multiple
optical and copper modem options and features for obsolescence
mitigation.
Our standard analysis package includes flow assurance, reliability,
hydraulic, electric, riser, conductor and VIV analysis.

VetcoGray SHXT
Our latest horizontal tree is designed to increase tubing
size and integrates the latest GE Oil & Gas technologies
to deliver high performance and lower installation
and operating costs. Building on the heritage of our
traditional horizontal systems, the VetcoGray SHXT
can be run with a high-pressure riser for fast and more
efficient installation of the completion.

M-Series
Medium-depth

solutions

Our M-Series trees have served the industry for over 15 years in water depths of
100 - 750 m with installation from semi-submersible drilling rigs. They are designed
to accommodate guideline drilling and completion techniques, but can also be run
guidelineless using vessels of convenience for installation. The designs are suitable
for template and over-trawlable protection structures in heavy fishing areas.
All M-Series trees are trimmed with VG300 valves qualified for temperatures from -20
to 350F. They are available for 10,000 and 15,000 psi applications, with 5", 6" and 7"
production bores as standard.
The M-Series is equipped to interface with the ultra-reliable VetcoGray ModPod
subsea control module with the award wining SemStar5 subsea electronics module
with field-proven availability in excess of 99.5%.

VetcoGray MVXT
This traditional guideline vertical tree has been used
extensively in all mature offshore basins around the
globe. It is highly compatible with various types of drilling
fleets and provides wide flexibility in field development
planning. Designed for both cluster and or template
applications, with or without electro-hydraulic subsea
control module, the VetcoGray MVXT can be installed
directly onto the completed wellhead to enable early
drilling/completion of the well.

Proven track record

Great flexibility & support

To date, GE Oil & Gas has installed over 500 M-Series trees in offshore
basins around the world. The trees are qualified to meet the most
rigorous international standards for subsea products API, ISO and
Norsok and they utilise standard, proven VG300 master valve blocks
and H4 connectors. The M-Series line is designed for diverless installation
and connection to flowlines and umbilicals using our HCCS connection
systems. All trees have options for oil, gas, water injection and ESP
applications and are supplied with proven diverless installation and
maintenance tools.

The M-Series includes a full set of rental tools to minimize capex for small
field developments and allow greater flexibility in planning developments
and budgets. The tools can be deployed to any location to meet
operational needs and provide complete capability for well intervention
and maintenance. Rental tools are generally available to suit project
schedules and are fully supported by our Global Services department and
experienced field support engineers.

VetcoGray MHXT
Our guideline horizontal tree is well established in
offshore developments around the world and is
compatible with 18" drilling systems. The tree design
allows for installation of the tubing hanger directly into
the tree master valve block and eliminates the need for
an open-water completion riser. The VetcoGray MHXT
comes in two modes: HT1 with a single crown plug in
the tubing hanger and a separate internal tree cap;
and HT2 with two crown plugs in the tubing hanger.
These designs can be used in both cluster and template
configurations and can be supplied with a standard
control pod interface.

After 40 years of delivering subsea trees with field-proven reliability

and availability, GE Oil & Gas has the experience to answer the
industrys toughest questions.
Since one size does not fit all applications, how do we deliver
field-specific products that are efficient and reliable?
We use a structured or modular approach to engineering and
manufacturing standardizing common components used in all of our
trees, and identifying application-specific areas for custom engineering.
Our portfolio is organized in S, M and D-Series structured frameworks
based on operating depths and functional requirements. This approach
enables our application engineers to quickly define tree specifications for
each project improving efficiency, quality and delivery cycles across the
product range.

How do we address the different installation/completion

requirements within this structured approach?
Each of our S, M & D-Series trees is available in horizontal and vertical
options. The base model is then augmented with either Standard,
Enhanced, Gas Lift or Water Injector production specifications each
of these designs has a standardized set of master forgings defined for
maximum functionality.

How do we address the increasing need for shorter lead times?

The base case delivery schedule is eight months for a standard tree. Every
tree in each of the series has been designed from a optimized master
block forgings as standard and a predefined maximum set of peripheral
functions. These functional requirements have been maximized in the base
case design so that in many cases there is more capability in the base
case design than is needed, and those functions not required are blanked.
This helps to reduce engineering and maintains the short delivery cycle.

How do we address the ever-increasing Smart Well

requirements?
Our tubing hangers are designed to maximize downhole functions from
the outset. Those not required are blanked off. For example, our D-Series
trees accommodate up to nine hydraulic and two electric downhole
penetrations either of the electric penetrations can be swopped out for
fibre-optic connectors.

How do we address reliability and availability of its trees?

We use a spectrum of in-field performance data and in-house testing to
perform complete analyses and diagnostics regimens to ensure reliability
of the entire tree system. We use GE materials coating technology to
reduce wear and friction on our new range of gate valves and accelerate
lifetime tests (ALT/HALT) of our control systems. All trees are designed
to accommodate our standard VetcoGray ModPod and SemStar5
electronics module which can communicate with our SmartCenter
for remote monitoring and data collection to optimize and improve the
performance of your field.

How do we address the ever-increasing needs of flow

assurance in deep water?

How do we extend the life of mature fields and take

advantage of newer technologies?

Each of our M and D-Series tree designs allows for insulation options in the
base case. During the projects systems engineering phase, the required
insulation thickness is determined and verified against the required cooldown times to prevent hydrates. We have maximized chemical injection
points and erosion monitoring along the production bore to allow flexibility
in flow assurance solutions. GE is also participating in a Joint Industry
Project (JIP) focused on verifying industry specifications for applying and
inspecting insulation materials to ensure consistency.

Mature fields present an ever-increasing challenge, especially in deep

water where installation and maintenance costs are high. By anticipating
future needs in the base case design, We have enhanced producer options
for additional annulus monitoring and isolation, plus options for additional
chemical/acid injection with minimal intervention. Our key control system
components are designed to facilitate retrofitting newer versions of
electronics and communication technologies when they are developed,
thus keeping brownfields up to date. By anticipating these needs we can
focus on higher recovery factors from subsea developments early in the
development phase.

How do we reduce customer installation costs?

Our portfolio of tooling and intervention solutions enables subsea trees
to be installed from vessels of convenience and eliminates the need for
installation risers. Tubing spools, trees and manifolds can be run on wire
from field-support vessels rather than using the drilling rigs. Our PTP tool
allows tubing plugs to be installed and retrieved through vertical trees by
ROV rather than by wireline unit and riser.

How do we address the increasing requirement for downhole

well maintenance?
Well maintenance is very expensive, especially in deep water, and can
lead to production losses when vessels are not easily available. Besides
our normal open-water workover riser solutions that allow well access
from semisubmersible or drillship, we are developing light well riser
intervention systems to allow frequent low-cost well access from vessels
of convenience. This enables quicker and more frequent well access
with wireline tools to maintain or enhance production at a fraction of the
traditional cost.

How do we ensure consistent quality of supply and service

support in a global market?
GE has a strong culture of technology and service, as well as rigorous
global sourcing systems and regional manufacturing capabilities to
provide local content in the countries where our customers operate. We
recognize that each project has unique needs that must be addressed,
and that the corresponding solutions will be fundamental to the projects
success and long-term reliability. Our process controls in engineering,
sourcing and manufacturing ensure quality and reliability in these areas
along with a global network of highly trained and experienced field service
engineers who ensure that customers get the value they expect from us.

D-Series
Deepwater

solutions

Our next-generation deepwater D-Series modular short-delivery subsea tree

systems are engineered for up to 15,000 psi and 10,000 ft. They incorporate more
than 25 years of design heritage and subsea experience including the integral,
field-proven VetcoGray ModPod control system powered by VetcoGray SemStar5,
our award-winning, open-architecture subsea electronics module.

VetcoGray DVXT
The DVXT tree system is an adaptable base case tree
solution capable of simple support vessel installation,
whilst providing for the flexibilities to accommodate
BOP on tree and Completion Riser system on tree. This
unique design also accommodates a tubing head spool,
and a tree direct onto wellhead option. A truly flexible
structured system covering all operators installation
methodologies.

DVXT and a completion riser system

10

Our D-Series systems provide high functionality, quality and reliable service
in the industrys most extreme operating conditions, with enhanced quality
packages available as options to meet more unusual project requirements.
A full range of pressure challenges are covered with three structured
options:
Standard production/injection (SP)
Enhanced production (EP)
Gas-lift production (GP)

Both the horizontal and vertical configurations are compact and designed
to minimize rig and ROV operations for lowest installed cost. Shared
features include:
Optimized for flow assurance (hydrate and erosion prevention)
5 x 2" and 7 x 2" VG300 trimmed standard systems
10,000 psi standard (15,000 psi option)
10,000 ft water depth rating
8 downhole hydraulic and 2 electrical or 2 fibre-optic or combo
5.25 MM ft.lbf bending capacity
Tree weight: 40 tonnes
Tree footprint: 14 x 14 ft
Delivered with standard service and quality package
8-month delivery cycle on standard units
Integrated standard solution with controls

VetcoGray DHXT
This highly flexible horizontal tree can be configured
for water, gas or alternating injection. Its compact,
lightweight design includes a flush top plate and
extended mandrel for efficient BOP operation; multiple
pressure, temperature and sand detection sensors; and
a variety of features to minimize ROV intervention.

11

Gas solutions

for deep water

Large bore D-Series

D-Series non-integral flow modules

These trees are specifically designed to address the challenges of

deepwater gas developments optimizing flow assurance, ensuring high
well availability, reducing reservoir back pressure and enabling higher
recovery factors through life of field.

Designed to accommodate the choke and multiphase meter, these

modules can be run with or separate from the trees.

Production bore sizes of 63/8", 7" and 73/8" are ideal for the larger
completions now used in deepwater gas fields. The trees can be designed
to either integral or non-integral chokes and multiphase flow meters to
suit the specific requirements of each well.

The flow module ensures laminar flow through the meter to facilitate
accurate metering of fluids. Modules can be tailored to specific flowassurance needs including pressure, temperature and erosion sensors,
chemical injection and metering. These facilities are all tied back to the
VetcoGray SemStar5 Control System for accurate, real-time monitoring
of well conditions.
When the combined size of the tree and flow module exceeds 60 tonnes,
the tree is provided in modular design to facilitate handling on the drilling
vessel.
When working with the VetcoGray DHXT, an independent flow module
allows recovery of the choke and/or multiphase meter without recovering
the tree/completion. The flow module can be mounted on either the tree
production base at the well or at the manifold, depending on field-specific
requirements.

12

Pressure solutions

for medium & deep water

Standard (SP)

Enhanced (EP)

Our standard production / injection trees are designed for rig flexibility and
easy handling with a small deck footprint 15' W x 16' D x 12' H. All systems
are fully qualified to industry standards.

Our enhanced production tree system offers increased functionality

through an extended annulus wing block. This includes additional valves
and sensors for improved annulus pressure management and options
providing access for future well maintenance such as acid squeeze or
other injection treatments with minimum intervention equipment. The EP
controls package includes an option for the VetcoGray SemStar5-R remote
DHPT or Smart Well canister.

M-Series SP operating envelope

15,000 psi (1,035 bar)
2,500-ft water depth
D-Series SP operating envelope
15,000 psi (1,035 bar)
10,000-ft water depth
Key features
D-Series SP uses the familiar, industry-proven VG300 valve system all
primary valves are fail-safe close with linear ROV overrides; production
side valves are 518" HH trim; annulus side valves are 2116" EE trim
The standard temperature class for the D-Series system is P-U (0 to
250F); testing is carried out to PSL 3 with 3G option, and options to
350F are being qualified
The tree top plate is maintained flush to ensure efficient BOP operations;
an extended length mandrel can be provided
Chemical injection is offered on both annulus and production bores
The control system uses the independently retrievable VetcoGray
ModPod control module, and the tree design incorporates multiple
pressure, temperature and sand detection sensors; the sand detector is
ROV retrievable
Up to 9 hydraulic and 2 electrical or fibre-optic connections to downhole
functions are incorporated in the standard system design
For all of production choke on the SP system is a VetcoGray 4" Series 74,
ROV insert retrievable design with temperature capabilities from -46 to
121C

Gas lift (GP)

This enhanced production tree system offers gas lift functionality. Additions
to the standard system include gas lift choke, dual-bore flowline connector
and additional sensors. Gas lift functionality has been designed into the SP
structures so that minimal re-engineering is required to include this option.

13

Our history

Your future

GE has a strong legacy of subsea development around the world over 1,200 subsea trees in more
than 310 projects. In 40 years of innovation, we have achieved a number of industry milestones,
including:
First 15,000 psi subsea tree installed in the Gulf of Mexico
Longest offset subsea production control system 144 km from seabed to beach
Deepest light well intervention at 1,130 m
This legacy, combined with our current technological capabilities enables GE Oil & Gas to provide
creative and cost-effective solutions to the challenges facing the oil and gas industry. With an
ever-increasing installed base of deepwater solutions, we continue increasing product reliability and
availability to help ensure a long future for this extremely demanding and crucial area of the global
energy industry.

Systems design meets all the following criteria

Configuration

Vertical
Horizontal
0-100

Depth (m)

100-750
750-3,000
5

Pressure (ksi)

10
15
5x2
6x2

Bore size (inches)

7x2
5" concentric
7" concentric

Temperature

0-250F
0-350F
VetcoGray ModPod

Integrated controls

SemStar5
Legacy SEMs

FlowLine connections

14

HCCS
VCCS

S-Series

M-Series

D-Series

A complete
range of subsea
production systems
Subsea Manifold Systems
Solutions for all project requirements
HPHT & deepwater
Cluster manifolds
Template manifolds
Integrated controls and HIPPS functionality
Optimized installation

Subsea Controls & Informatics

Over 30 years of experience and 1,000
modules operating worldwide
Installations include the worlds longest
subsea tieback, the largest deepwater
fields, large-bore gas delivery projects
and high pressure/high temperature
applications
Portfolio includes ultra-reliable VetcoGray
ModPod equipped with the award-winning
SemStar5 subsea electronics module for
unrivaled flexibility and reliability

Subsea Power & Processing

Solutions to increase production rates and/or
recovery from subsea wells
Subsea gas-boosting systems BlueC wet-gas
compressor qualified for Ormen Lange
Subsea separation and pumping systems Troll C,
the worlds first subsea separation system in
operation
Power-supply systems surface, umbilical and
subsea equipment with MECON Wet Mate and
Dry Mate technology

Subsea Connection Systems

Extensive range of subsea connectors and
tooling systems
Clamp, collet and mandrel connectors
Diverless operation
Qualified size range to 42 inches
Single, dual and multibore configurations

Worldwide service capabilities

major subsea service centers

other GE Oil & Gas service centers

GE Oil & Gas continually invests in its network of

world-class repair and service facilities in over 30
countries with highly experienced and certified
field service personnel strategically located to
provide timely support in every region. We cover all
aspects of supply and support with advanced tools,
skills and solutions wherever and whenever they
are needed. We understand that true reliability must
extend beyond the quality of any single product to
the support provided throughout its service life. Our
approach is based on dynamic monitoring, analysis
and planning to ensure effective application of
technologies and efficient allocation of site-specific
resources. Our people are knowledgeable, proactive
and responsive, and know how to get the best
major subsea service centers performance from our
products.

GE Oil & Gas

ge.com/oilandgas

GE Oil & Gas Headquarters

Via Felice Matteucci, 2
50127 Florence, Italy
T +39 055 423 211
F +39 055 423 2800
[email protected]
Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
Nuovo Pignone S.r.l.
Subsea Systems Headquarters &
Subsea Trees Center of Excellence
Silverburn House, Claymore Drive
Aberdeen AB23 8GD, UK
T +44 1224 852 000
F + 44 1224 852 434
Vetco Gray UK Ltd.

The information contained herein is general in nature

and is not intended for specific construction, installation
or application purposes. GE reserves the right to make
changes in specifications or add improvements at any
time without notice or obligation.
GE, the GE Monogram, imagination at work and SemStar5
are registered trademarks of the General Electric Company.

2011 General Electric Company

All Rights Reserved

For complete contact information,

please refer to our website.

GE imagination at work
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