Successful Management in New Offshore Field Startup: Meeting Challenging Targets and Exceeding Expectations

Abstract

The ultimate success of an offshore field startup depends on the strategy and integration within an organization. Even more challenging is managing the dynamic interface of subsurface and surface project delivery through the design, construction, hookup, commissioning, and startup operations. This paper presents the case study of a new field startup in Abu Dhabi from the early concept selection through the critical startup phases. Integrated multi-discipline approach underpinned the successful startup when the field achieved first oil production ahead of schedule on February 2015 and exceeded expectation despite the backdrop of global sharp decline in oil price. This paper highlights the technical and functional preparation put in place by the subsurface and surface teams to ensure full integrated readiness and plan-in-place for production start-up. It also outlines the challenges encountered to achieve operational performance and the major lessons learned from the journey. The results demonstrated in this paper shows that an integrated and cooperative approach is key in dealing with delays, prioritization, execution of processes, projects and operations. The lessons learned from subsurface and surface technical preparation, through surface project engineering and delivery phases are presented. Successful management was critical in handling the drilling rigs and barge logistics, offshore installation and commissioning phases, and simultaneous operations during the production start-up and ramp-up of the field. In addition, while encountering pressures to minimize rig time and execute the extensive data gathering program, good team synergy ensured that the milestones were successfully met even with the additional limitation of skilled technical resources. Finally, illustrated in this paper are best practices applicable for new offshore field startups. This proves that even with the financial-demanding outlook and market-down conditions, the successful startup of a new field is essential and visible.