A new field development was being considered for connection to existing host facilities via established subsea infrastructure. THREE60 Energy was engaged to assess the technical feasibility of the development and define a viable subsea concept.
The study considered the infrastructure, equipment and modifications required to deliver the tie-in, while establishing the cost, schedule and key risks associated with taking the development forward.
Challenge
Flowing wellhead pressure and backpressure at the entry point to the existing facilities created constraints on the proposed development. The team therefore needed to determine whether production could be accommodated by the existing infrastructure and assess alternative solutions where additional capacity was required.
This included consideration of a subsea Multiphase Pump (MPP) to boost production fluids and enable the proposed tie-in.
Solution
THREE60 developed hydraulic models and simulated life-of-field scenarios to assess system capacity and determine appropriate equipment requirements.
The team developed and evaluated potential development options, including preliminary subsea tie-ins and layouts, material selection, controls and chemical umbilicals, power supply requirements for the MPP and modifications to the host topsides.
This integrated assessment allowed the technical implications of each option to be considered alongside the wider development requirements.
Result
The study identified a base-case development concept, supported by a CAPEX estimate and execution schedule, providing the client with a clearer basis for progressing the opportunity.
Key technical and commercial risks were also identified, giving the client greater visibility of the considerations that would need to be addressed as the development progressed.
