Subsea Well Intervention Readiness in Brazil

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study is to assess the subsea well intervention capabilities in Brazil from an operator point of view and how it compares to other regions in the world, in terms of equipment availability, technology and readiness. The object of this assessment will be restricted to the well access systems, given the numerous scenarios that can drive a subsea well intervention. The intent is to identify the main challenges an International Oil Company (IOC) and/or Local Oil Company (LOC) operating in Brazil must overcome in order to keep a robust and realistic contingency plan in case of any well integrity issue. Also, similar challenges are experienced whenever production restoration is needed and/or even opportunities for production enhancement are economically assessed to viable, or not. Last but not least, well access during the last phase of a well lifecycle (plug and abandonment) is also a key element. This will be discussed further in. Until the late 90's, the subsea oil industry in Brazil was restricted to the state-run operator and the supply chain to the business had developed itself around the mindset to maidenly supply a single state-run operator demand. After the market opening and consolidation of the IOC's and LOC's in the subsea market, a lack of local supply of several goods and services started to present itself. Since well access systems are expensive and the base case is that you won't use it unless you have a problem, there's a strong unconscious desire not to worry about it until you really need it. Sharing the same view, service companies tend to enforce the sale of these kits to the operator, rather than focus on a rental solution. Moreover, when service companies provide rental solutions, they are not kept in country and mobilization fees and lead time become a showstopper on many cases. In view of the scenario described above and ways of operation of the Brazilian market IOC's and LOC's a solution will be proposed to mitigate the risk of unavailability and reduce costs based on the sharing economy principles.