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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.
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.
There is no doubt that choosing the excellent technology and operation is one of the keys to achieve sustainable global energy. With the quick advancement in the subsea technology and offshore industry and its influence on the global oil and gas production through the past three decades, an update working knowledge of engaged offshore facilities around the world seems to be essential for a successful petroleum field development. Selection of the most appropriate equipment and process through the early exploitation study stages of developing an offshore petroleum reservoir can determine the right facilities for delivering the greatest value. The current paper gives an overview of characteristics, and features of offshore production facilities, their advantages and disadvantages according to the most common offshore system selection and feasibility studies considerations. It has been tried to point out the most important criteria of the related Issues and concerns during a process and facilities selection for a potential case of installing the subsea completion as well as proposing processes to help in selection of the right concept. Major considerations in the process and facility selection for a petroleum field, such as shore distance, drilling and well intervention, topside weight, utilities, accessibility, regional influences, financial and HSE considerations, and particularly water depth and well count, as well as their influences on the final decision have also been explored. The review also introduces common components of a subsea completion system such as wellheads, manifolds, flowlines and risers, connection systems, control systems and umbilicals, installation tooling, and then it makes a comparison between different types of Xmas trees as well as various well arrangements. Finally, the paper summarizes the subsea development phases for establishing the right concept.
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