To surpass the main challenges established by deep water, high gas-oil flowratios, flow assurance and constant increases in produced water, Petrobras is developing, within PROCAP Technology Program - Future Vision, several projects in the subsea processing area, such as: Compact Oil-Water and Gas-Liquid Separation Systems, Multiphase Pump with High Differential Pressure and Gas Compression System. The main applications of these projects are in fields with high fraction of gas and water, in fields/discoveries located far away from Production Units and to increase the reservoir recovery factor. Furthermore, the application of these technologies may have great benefits, such as: production anticipation, reduction of process system footprint on the Production Unit, decrease in CAPEX/OPEX and especially an increase of the topside oil processing capacity. This paper aims to present an overview of those technologies being developed in PROCAP - Future Vision. Also, this article shows the main motivations of these developments, the main benefits of using each technology, the technological challenges and gaps, typical application scenarios and results of the evaluations performed so far. Major petroleum companies are searching for new technical solutions that fulfill their needs of reducing both CAPEX and OPEX while increasing oil and gas production. The development of new subsea processing technologies, as stated above, will enable, and in some cases reinforce, the use of these technologies for deepwater and/or subsea to shore scenarios. Introduction Subsea processing is a key enabler for challenging field developments, and their benefits increase with water depth, flowrates and step-out. Regarding subsea separation, these advantages are maximized when employing subsea compact separation technologies. Also, subsea processing brings HSE benefits related to reduction of waste disposal to sea, an environmental contribution of subsea oil-water separation systems, and the possibility of using smaller platforms - or none at all - due to the use of processing equipment on the seabed instead of topside, reducing operational risks. In terms of compact separation technology development, Petrobras has been conducting several R&D initiatives for the last ten years. Firstly, these R&D initiatives were developed for topside and onshore applications, but always keeping on mind the subsea employment. In order to evaluate these technologies several tests have been performed. More recently, the Marlim SSAO 3-Phase Subsea Separation System is a very significative example of compact subsea technology employment, for a single producer well application. Multiphase boosting is always considered as a good alternative to develop oilfields, mainly for remote areas. Petrobras invested a lot on the development of twin screw and helicoaxial concepts for multiphase pumps, targeting applications with required differential pressures up to 60 bar. Recently, analysis has indicated that High Differential Pressure Subsea Boosting (up to 150 bar) is economically and technically attractive to various Petrobras scenarios and, because of that, many R&D efforts are being done to develop such technology.
As the operator of several exploratory blocks in ultradeep waters, Petrobras was responsible for many presalt oil discoveries in Santos Basin such as Tupi, Carioca, Guará, and Iara. In partnership with the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP), Petrobras drilled well 2-ANP-2A, which resulted in the Libra discovery. In 2013, Libra was offered in the first bidding round executed by the Brazilian government under the new Production Sharing Contract for presalt areas. The winning consortium is comprised of Petrobras (operator), Shell, Total, CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation), CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation), and PPSA (Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A.). The Libra discovery is sitting over a structural trap of about 550 km2 (212 mi2) closure at the Aptian top reservoirs level presenting a maximum oil column that can reach up to 900 m (2953 ft). The main reservoirs are lacustrine carbonates, deposited from the Neobarremian until the Aptian. Preliminary estimates indicate a volume of oil in place between 8 and 12 billion BOE. The development proposed for Libra started with Phase 0, in 2014, and is focused on information gathering, including appraisal wells, extended well tests (EWT), early production systems (EPS), and a pilot project. Phase 1 encompasses the definitive production systems and is expected to start in 2022 and finish in 2030.
Copyrlghl 199S OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE Thos papar was FePared for presen fat ton al the Offshore Technology C0nferenc9 held In Hw5tcfI T.xas 69 May 19S6 Thts paper was sd!ecfec for prnsentatm" by I he OTC Program C.anmdttw folkn9 renew of Warm'dt!cm cc$ha$cud m an ?&tract subm!ffed by the author(s) CWten!s of the Pqe$ a. preserded, have not ben rewewd by Ihe OfWwro TechIw42Qy and are subjecf to c.xmclon by the abthor(s) The material, as presented, CLWS cat nncasssnfy reffecl any PO$IIIX! of me Off$hcfe Technokgy Cotiererce or fis affKRIs Perrmsswn 10 COPYm remr!cfed m an abstract of nof mcfe than 302 words 111.stratbcmsmay not be copma The abstrad shdd ccdam umspkxous adwwwledgmenl 01 where and by whom the paw was pwsen!ed AbstractThis paper describes the impact that the use of a subsea boosting sys[em will have on the development of a deepwater field . The analysis covers the technology demands and constraints encountered on screening studies executed for the fields of Marlim, Albacora and Barracuda, as well as an overview of the economic benefits encountered. The paper will focus on the technological demands and constrains identified as well as some considerations about possible alternatives . The demands and constrains identified in the study will provide the industry with some more input to guide the development of the subsea boosting technology, as well as a better understanding of how to apply this new tool on the development of deepwater prospects. The results of the screening study are showing that the subsea boosting systems are a valuable tool to reduce the costs of deepwater developments, provide that the industry could meet the technology demands that are indicated on the study. The cost cutting possibilities through an integration between the "conventional" subsea hardware and the subsea boosting systems and the combination of boosting systems are promising alternatives The subsea boosting systems are a new tool that have -although still under development -recently been added to the tool box of the subsea engineers. [derr[ifying the way to get the most out of it, that is, how to use to the full extent this new technology could help the industry to make the deep water developments profitable. The encouraging economic results found, as well as the demands and constraints raised on the paper will be of use for those trying to apply these technologies in various areas of the world.
TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThis paper addresses the design criteria for a Floating,
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