Creating Sustainable Offshore Developments in the Ultra-Deep Water

Abstract

The continuous drive to increase oil and gas production requires fields to be developed under challenging circumstances such as deeper water, harsh operating & environmental conditions and remote areas all while adhering to strict HSE requirements. At the same time, investment decisions for an increasing number of projects have been postponed because the increasing costs have resulted in reduced shareholders return. In order to overcome the technical challenges within the changing environment, funding needs to be created by improving the cost effectiveness of the adopted solutions. This can be achieved by optimizing and standardizing the current concepts and by using the research in and outside our industry, to benefit from innovations, which can reduce risks and save costs. At the same time, lessons captured in the past decade need to be imbedded within the organizations which requires retaining, training and guidance of the engineers and building on the technical relations within the supply chain. The other side of the deep-water challenge is the current technical limitations, which need to be overcome. Equipment that is currently available and their applications need to be revised to deliver the step change to the ultra-deep water. This paper will focus on the areas, which combine our extensive installation experience with our more recently gained SURF EPCI insights and the ongoing technology developments with the intent to create practical solutions for the industry. It will describe how we intend to use real time simulators to identify and manage risks during the offshore construction. Also, topics such as lowering capabilities for the ultra-deep water, flexibility in field developments, smart design which incorporates vessel capabilities, coating & welding developments for the high pressure, high temperature fields and the implications of remote areas will be addressed.

Detail Engineering Completion Rating Index System (DECRIS) for Optimal Initiation of Construction Works to Improve Contractors’ Schedule-Cost Performance for Offshore Oil and Gas EPC Projects

“…No further major design change in Process flow diagram is foreseen. 3 Process simulation in detail engineering was performed in line with Project Requirements, and its result including PFD (IFA, first revision) was updated and submitted to the Client. 4 There is no discrepancy between process simulation, PFD, and Heat and Material Balance in FEED.…”

“…No further major change in P&ID is foreseen. 3 P&ID in detail engineering was developed in line with Project Requirements, and issued with IFA (first revision). Preliminary Vendor Documents or Value Improving Practices for major equipment was incorporated in IFA P&ID.…”

“…Major HAZOP/HAZID recommendations were concluded and approved by the client. 3 HAZOP has been performed for the Contractor's system based on P&ID issued by Contractor. Major HAZID recommendations were concluded and approved by the client.…”

“…No further major design change in UFD is foreseen. 3 Heat and Material Balance and UFD in detail engineering were developed in line with Project Requirements, and issued with IFA (first revision). 4 There is no discrepancy between UFD and Heat and Material Balance in FEED.…”

“…This has led to an over-supply of oil and gas and, consequently, an era of low oil prices decreasing major oil companies' profits [2].An offshore project requires a significant amount of early investment for drilling and production facility design and construction. To combat lower revenues and increase profits, major oil companies have placed a great deal of attention on cost-saving strategies in these early stages for offshore oil and gas projects [3]. However, these strategies are often poorly planned and implemented, leading to inadequate resource allocation, and improperly accelerated design and construction.…”