Lessons Learned From a Comprehensive Review of Integration and Installation Phases of Gulf of Mexico Floating Production Systems

Abstract

Abstract Beginning in 1986, with the Placid Oil GC 29 development using a converted drilling semisubmersible in 460 m of water, the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has been the incubator of deepwater Floating Production System (FPS) innovation. In the following 30 years over fifty FPSs that included Tension Leg Platforms (TLPs), Spar platforms (Spars) and Semisubmersible platforms (Semisubs), were sanctioned . Deepwater frontiers have been extended to over 2,900 m in that span. Many technical and commercial challenges have been managed and overcome in doing so. In the wake of the recent collapse in oil and gas prices and the specter of a prolonged period of low hydrocarbon prices, the industry is confronting perhaps its most formidable challenge in developing new deepwater fields in the GOM that require a host facility. Historically, all too frequent project execution cost and schedule overruns were masked by rising oil prices. In many instances, the topside to hull integration, platform installation and hook-up to mooring and riser systems and commissioning (Integration and Installation Phase) have been the root cause of overruns as they are high risk, high consequence activities with little float for schedule recovery. In the current low oil price environment there is little margin for error for Integration and Installation (I&I) miscues that rapidly erode project value. The authors have reviewed the critical I&I phase performance of thirty-three (33) TLP, Spar and Semisub platforms in the GOM and substantiated the review based on either first-hand experience, public domain information or in discussions with project team leaderships. The objective is to provide performance benchmarks, observations and recommendations for future FPS developments in the GOM to help avoid repetition of costly missteps and delays and incorporate lessons from those projects that have been well executed.