Economic and technological approach to the design of offshore field development. Review of foreign practices

Abstract

Relevance. The high profitability potential of hydrocarbon production on the Russian Arctic shelf is one of the significant factors for the further development of the Russian oil and gas complex. For decades, international oil and gas companies (OGCs) have been successfully implementing large capital-intensive projects to develop offshore fields in underdeveloped regions with severe climatic conditions, including at unfavorable oil prices. The purpose of the research is to identify the features of the methodology used by international oil and gas companies to implement projects that ensure their success. Methodology. Systematic approach, methods of analysis, comparison, differentiation. Results. In the course of the study, the content of a systematic approach to the development of offshore fields was disclosed as the basis of the methodology in terms of the optimal choice and integration of technologies in the field development system in terms of cost and efficiency. The concepts and relationships between the system, subsystem and technology are defined. It is shown that the profitability of field development is ensured by compliance with the necessary criteria for the applicability of technologies as part of the development system. At the same time, the technologies must be confirmed by the practice of performing a similar production task under comparable conditions and are available for purchase in a competitive market, and they must also meet the requirements for the efficiency of performing a production task and restrictions on the cost of developing a field. The theoretical aspects of the methodology are illustrated with practical examples of the assessment and selection of technologies according to the specified criteria, including the implemented system of offshore field development in a poorly developed region. Based on the results of the study, recommendations were formulated on the selection of offshore fields for priority development and exploitation, the choice of technologies for field construction, as well as the application of accepted international regulations for more active implementation of oil and gas projects on the Russian Arctic shelf. Conclusions. Based on the review of foreign practices, it is recommended to: 1) focus primarily on projects using proven and available technologies; 2) clearly form a set of requirements for the developed projects; 3) apply the principles and rules laid down in the design regulations of foreign oil and gas companies and EPC companies.