Remote Field Control and Support Strategy - Umbilicals versus Control Buoys

Floating control facilities (FCFs) are designed to support fields using only subsea production system. Potential concepts, including Tension Leg Platform (TLP), Spar and semi-submersible can be selected as the FCFs. This paper discusses the philosophy of concept selection for FCFs. Two basic considerations for concept selection for FCFs are functional requirements and costs. Different structure types are first to be sized to meet the functional requirements for given water depths, environmental conditions and soil conditions. Then the costs for the procurement, construction, installation, hook up and commissioning for different concepts are estimated based on the sizes. Finally, the most cost-effective concept is chosen for further study to confirm the feasibilities of the concept by detailed analyses. Global sizing tools assisting concept selection have been developed by Ocean Dynamics LLC (Limited Liability Company) (ODL) over the past years. For a given concept, these sizing tools can find the optimized size based on costs to meet the functional requirements. Capabilities of the sizing tools cover the general layout, weight estimate (hull and deck), riser weight and stiffness estimate, loading conditions (transportation, normal operating, extreme, survival), hydrostatics and stability, natural periods, motions, air gap, environmental loads (wind, current, and mean wave forces), mooring sizing, cost estimate, and optimization based on the total costs. Two case studies in two different water depths, 140m and 1200m, are presented to illustrate the procedures and considerations in concept selection for floating control facilities. The FCFs used in the case studies are to support a Super Puma helideck, satellite communication equipment, an umbilical riser and option for a 3.5″ pipeline riser, with a total estimated topside payload as 400 Metric Ton (MT).

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Production Enhancement of Hilly Terrain Onshore Remote Field

Hanbzazah

Merwat

Al-Khamis

2010

SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition

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Developing and producing remote fields in a hilly terrain environment economically and effectively poses a great challenge to oil operators 1 . Transporting hydrocarbon fluids in these fields from the wells to the processing facilities and then to shipping terminals requires a detailed assessment of the flow hydraulics of the entire production network 2-6 . Moreover, a viable optimizing flow option needs to be considered and thoroughly evaluated prior to implementation for cost optimization, effectiveness and long-term impact on reservoir sweep 7 . Saudi Aramco has recently embarked on the development of several fields, including remote fields, such as Shaybah, which is located in a remote, hilly terrain desert area in the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Peninsula. The crude from Shaybah oil producing wells must travel a long distance from wellheads located in Sabkhah (flat terrain) to the Gas-Oil Separation Plant (GOSP), passing across high sand dunes rising up to 200 meters, and then through a 638 km crosscountry pipeline to reach a final stabilization facility. Due to the aberrant topography of the area, high back pressure and changes of flow regime leading to huge slugs have been observed, affecting the overall performance of the wells and the operation of the processing facilities. Consequently, three innovative technologies: Horizontal Thrust Boring (HTB), Multiphase Pumps, and Drag Reducing Agents, have been evaluated and implemented to circumvent these problems. This paper will discuss in detail the realized benefits from these three technologies where results have shown a reduction in the flow and pipeline pressure drops of 230 psig and 300 psig from the application of HTB and drag reducing agents, respectively. Moreover, an overall production increase of about 50 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBOD) was realized from the utilization of HTB technology and an incremental increase of 250 MBOD in the capacity of the 638 km crosscountry pipeline from the utilization of the drag reducing agent. On the other hand, the results of the trial test of the multiphase pump have indicated unsatisfactory performance due to the frequent maintenance needs and pump failures.

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Remote Field Control and Support Strategy - Umbilicals versus Control Buoys

Cited by 4 publications

References 4 publications

Design and Experimental Investigation for Subsea Control Module Test System

Design and Experimental Investigation for Subsea Control Module Test System

Concept Selection Philosophy for Floating Control Facilities

Production Enhancement of Hilly Terrain Onshore Remote Field

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