Some Challenges and Innovations for Deepwater Developments

Abstract

Abstract As the oil industry continues its effort to exploit oil and gas reservoirs in deeper waters, new technologies are required to enable the industry to proceed with effective exploration and development programs under the pressure of low oil prices. Threfore serious efforts are being devoted toward the evaluation and the application of innovative approaches to reduce exploration, development, and operating cost. These innovations involve advances in floating production concepts, expanded use of subsea completions, application of composite materials and optimization of life cycle cost. This paper reviews the different concepts that are currently being considered for deepwater development and summarizes the current effort to develop cost effective composites for many critical deepwater applications. In addition, the paper discusses existing technical barriers that need to be recognized and addressed to satisfy the economic and performance requirements for the application of composite materials. Introduction The interest in exploration and development of reserves in deepwater has greatly increased because of the positive views, as demonstrated by Shell's Auger field, that large reserves and high productivity wells can be found. This interest can be illustrated by the success of the recent Central Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale No. 157, April 24, 1996, during which more than 380 leases in water depth between 2500 and 10.000 feet were awarded. This can also be illustrated by comparing the deepwater leasing activities in the Gulf of Mexico for the last three years. While in 1994 less than % million acres were leased in water depth above 1000 A, the area leased in 1 995 and 1 996 were about 2.4 and 4.8 million acres, respectively. In addition, there is a great interest in accelerating the development of the known deepwater discoveries. In the Gulf' of Mexico alone, there are more than 15 known discoveries in water depth between 3000 and 7500 feet. Deepwater activities in other parts of the world such as the North Sea, Brazil, West Africa. Australia, China, and Vietnam are also expanding. The ability to economically explore and develop these deepwater leases depends on the oil industry's capability to develop solutions based on the innovative application of technology. These innovations cover broad areas that include exploration, drilling, development, reservoir management, and operations. The development and application of new concepts for structural, equipment and materials have greatly been advanced during the last decade. This paper reviews the different concepts that are currently being considered of a deepwater development and summarizes the current effort to expand the use of cost effective composites for many critical deepwater applications.