The Tazerka Floating Production, Storage, and Offtake System

Abstract

ABSTRACT Production from small oil reserves found offshore which would be uneconomic on the basis of a conventional approach have been developed by utilising a Floating Production Storage Unit permanently moored to the seabed by a Single Anchor Leg System. The storage unit not only supports the production facilities but also acts as the offshore terminal, thus offsetting the cost of a pipeline and shore terminal. In addition to the use on small reservoirs, a similar installation may also be utilised for the early production of large offshore oil accumulations and in both cases, retains the advantage that a major part of the investment can be redeployed elsewhere when the field has been exhausted or permanent facilities have been installed. This paper describes a system installed offshore Tunisia by Shell Tunirex but unlike other floating production systems, it has the capability of tying in several sub-sea completed wells. In addition, it has the flexibility to cater for additional wells or functions, such as gas lift or water injection, should they be required to optimise oil recovery later in the field's life.