SS - Visualization and Collaboration: Keys to Optimal Platform Placement

Abstract

Determining the optimal location for a new platform in offshore deepwater environments is one of the more challenging and complex exercises that an operator must negotiate. Engaging multidisciplined stakeholders, who often have disparate objectives or constraints in determining an ideal site location, can easily become a time-consuming and inefficient process. To be effective, numerous scenarios must be modeled in a rigorous and efficient manner to determine the optimal location. For one such complex task, Shell elected to use the latest technologies in well planning and visualization. To ensure a successful project, the definitive solution needed to accelerate the well planning process while considering information from all necessary disciplines.This project had its own particular set of challenges, including abundant hazards and obstacles lying on the seafloor, a complex salt body to be avoided, and a wide range and uncertainty of geological targets. All of these challenges were modeled in a visualization system composed of surface maps, geological targets, and geophysical data. Upon completion of the initial model, a collaborative well planning session enabled a quick evaluation of the risks and drivers observed by each discipline. This process led to an understanding across disciplines of the dependent activities that must occur in the correct order, which established the work scope and avoided unnecessary tasks.After this initial meeting, four possible locations were proposed. Using the 3D visualization and well planning software, each proposed surface location was then planned to reach the pre-defined targets. The plans were later statistically analyzed to show the drillability of each location and reviewed by the team. Using the same model and constraints, multiple iterations generated and optimized new plans to a series of updated targets. Approximately 400 potential wellpaths were considered and risked across several scenarios until the final location was determined.This paper describes the procedure used to determine the optimal surface location for the platform using a 3D visualization and well planning application. This application is intended for all personnel (including drilling, completions, and geological and geophysical disciplines) involved in the well planning process and field development projects.