Page 36: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Sep/Oct 2014)

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FPSO

New technologies for changing environments

Above: FPSO marks Dutch FPSO provider SBM Ofshore’s introduction to the Gulf of Mexico. Turritella and reservoirs

Left: A rendering of FPSO Turritella. Images from SBM Ofshore.

SBM Offshore discusses some xploration for felds further offshore and in deeper SBM Offshore was recognized at this year’s Offshore waters is leading to the development of more complex Technology Conference in Houston for its Very High Pressure of the company’s developing

E reservoirs. It is also fueling technology innovation from (VHP) Fluid Swivel technology, which allows operators to technologies and how it is working service providers. Product development is driven by evolving use foating production storage and offoading (FPSO) units toward unlocking reserves in the market demand and relies on close collaboration with clients. throughout the full development of ultra-high-pressure res-

Dutch foating production and mooring system provider ervoirs. Previously, full development had not been possible

Gulf of Mexico

TECHNICAL CHALLENGES both relatively simple processing units with suddenly drop steeply by 1000m, posing seri- ous challenges for export pipelines

Some Lower Tertiary reservoirs appear to be no reservoir pressure maintenance in terms poor quality, leading to low recovery factors. of water or gas injection. The primary pur- • Difcult seabed terrain

Oil players have launched a series of indus- pose of the early production systems is to try-wide initiatives to sponsor the oilfeld allow the operator to gain an understanding

Technical solutions for the service industry to fll the key technology of the reservoir performance from a small

Lower Tertiary Paleogene felds gaps for subsea and well equipment. SBM Ofshore has developed and qualifed number of wells, before deciding on the best

Due to the characteristics of the Lower a range of new technologies to meet these full feld development strategy. An FPSO

Tertiary reservoirs, SBM Ofshore has found challenges. In addition, the company is min- minimizes the need to run a long export oil that the key challenges include: ing existing its technologies to attempt to pipeline across difcult seabed terrain in increase productivity, efciency and safety. ultra-deepwater. • Some of the deepest reservoirs ever devel-

Here are some examples: Hurricanes are prevalent in the Gulf oped in the world (many between 8,000m and of Mexico. To avoid exposure to this risk, 10,000m below sea level)

FPSOs operating there need to be discon- • 1.A thick salt layer making seismic imaging Disconnectable FPSO with steel nectable, which is typically achieved by difcult, and drilling and well workovers costly risers for early production • Ultra HPHT conditions (up to 20,000psi or SBM is building the FPSO for Shell’s releasing a buoy to which the risers and Turritella more) Stones development. A Suezmax tanker mooring lines are attached. The buoy then is currently being converted in Keppel’s sinks to a pre-determined depth. Once the • Injection of water and/or gas for enhanced shipyard in Singapore. It will be the deepest storm passes, the FPSO returns and the oil recovery (EOR) will require surface pres- production unit ever installed, and the frst buoy is reconnected so that production can sures of 1000bar or more disconnectable system with steel risers. recommence.

• Riser systems required to connect subsea

Currently, only Petrobras has an FPSO However, this type of development has wells to a foating facility are beyond the capa- operating in the Lower Tertiary area on the limitations due to the maximum suspended bilities of conventional fexible risers

Cascade/Chinook felds, which is the frst weight that the disconnectable buoy can • Prevalent hurricanes

FPSO approved for use in the US sector of support; depending on water depth and • Exposure to prolonged high currents, known the Gulf of Mexico. riser design, a maximum of six to 10 risers as the Loop Current, or large furrows near the

The FPSOs for Shell and Petrobras are and umbilicals can be accommodated. For

Sigsbee Escarpment where water depth can

September 2014 | OE oedigital.com 38 040_OE0914_FPSO3_SBM.indd 38 8/21/14 2:55 PM