Options for Deepwater Developments in Immature Basins

13 May 2010 London Evening Meeting

Chairman Alex Hunt, Engineering Technology Manager, BG Group

Overview

The offshore industry is progressively moving into deeper waters, with a number of developments now producing in water depths greater than 2000m. Many of these have required some innovative thinking, including the installation of a number of different subsea boosting technologies, in order to overcome a range of flow assurance challenges and ensure that the reservoir fluids reach the production facility.

In addition, whilst some deepwater basins are relatively mature, exploration is also currently under way in a number of less mature areas. The technically feasible options for early developments in such areas are more limited due to the lack of existing infrastructure. Assuming exploration success, it is also necessary to understand how fields could be developed in the early life of new deepwater basins.

Using a field with some specific flow assurance challenges located in an immature deepwater basin as a basis, a group of Cranfield University students has reviewed the field development options. The work has just been completed as a Group Project that forms part of their MSc in Offshore and Ocean Technology – option in Subsea Engineering. In this evening meeting, members of the team presented their findings.

Presentations

Options for Deepwater Developments in Immature Basins

Review Team, Cranfield University: Gabriel Beaudonnet, Sean Delmas, Alexander Hilley, Ighowho Igucha, Etienne de Lestang Parade, Okereke Ndubuisi, Sanjeevi Parthasarathi, Osolu Samson and Elliot Thompson

Options for the surface facility, downhole and subsea equipment, flowlines and risers have been reviewed, along with gas and oil evacuation alternatives. Specific consideration has also been given to field architecture and layout, flow assurance and CO2 management. Technically feasible options have been subjected to SWOT analyses, and comparisons have also been made with current projects worldwide. A set of recommendations are then presented.

Dr Fuat Kara, Course Director and Head of Offshore Technology, Cranfield University

Group and individual projects and reviews offer benefits to both industry and academia. The elements required for successful collaborations will be discussed, along with current focus areas.