API RP 17A

This Recommended Practice provides guidelines for the design, installation, operation, repair and abandonment of subsea production systems. The elements of subsea production systems included (Figure 1.1) are wellheads (both subsea and mudline casing suspension systems) and trees; pipelines and end connections; controls, control lines and control fluids; templates and manifolds; and production risers (both rigid and flexible). Other sections of the Recommended Practice cover operations, quality assurance, materials and corrosion. 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. This document includes information on a wide range of equipment and operations to emphasize interrelationships and the need to consider subsea production installations as systems.