As the complexity and cost of subsea production systems (SPS) has increased during recent decades, the requirement for a more-rigorous, systematic approach toward the engineering of such systems has increased. A systems-engineering (SE) guidance document, specifically written to be applicable to SPS, is being developed by members of API SubCommittee 17 at the time of writing. The objective of the complete paper is to make potential users of the guidance document aware of the benefits associated with the use of formal SE processes when designing complex facilities.

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