Here is a link to our recently published report, OCS Study MMS 2008-022: Effects of Subsea Processing on Deepwater Environments in the Gulf of Mexico, http://www.gomr.mms.gov/PI/PDFImages/ESPIS/4/4310.pdf.  

The study was designed to evaluate the potential environmental effects of subsea processing.  It summarizes existing and proposed seafloor processing technologies and analyzes them for expected possible impacts.  This will be a primary reference for future permitting decisions regarding subsea processing applications in U.S. waters.  Any substantive additional information or analyses contributed by RPSEA would be appreciated.  This is an emerging technology with no solid protocols yet established.