Changes in North Sea field development strategies will lead to increased use of subsea completions.
Strategies must change, Knut Skattum of Norsk Hydro AS told last week's Offshore Northern Seas conference in Stavanger, because new areas to be developed will involve smaller fields and reservoirs, and existing infrastructure can be used for process facilities.
Also, remote developments and deeper water will call for new approaches to development, and new technology will provide new options.
North Sea subsea completions could jump sharply during the next 10 years, Skattum said. He expects the U.K. to account for most such completions during the next decade, as it has to date.
There are several reasons for the expected increase in subsea developments.
Large oil and gas fields were discovered in the Norwegian North Sea during the 1970s and 1980s. Three major discoveries are being developed.
Together, those fields made up an extensive infrastructure. If a circle with a radius of 40-50 km were drawn around each of these large fields, all remaining developments south of 62 N. Lat. could be satellites to existing or planned developments.
New discoveries are smaller, and cost effective solutions must be used to make such discoveries commercial, Skattum said. Part of this effort will make use of as much of existing infrastructure as possible, especially processing and export facilities.
Deeper water also will encourage subsea development in exploration frontiers where special technology will be required.
In addition, subsea systems will see increased use due to advances in multiphase transportation of well fluids, Skattum told the conference.
spray nozzles fitted to form a water shield.
Start intense activity if an attack appears to be imminent. Turn on lights, send the crew running to the afterdeck, sound alarms bells and sirens, and use the signal lamp to dazzle approaching craft.
"By demonstrating that the vessel is prepared, attackers may well withdraw in favor of an easier target," Kelleher said. "Should the measures fail, resistance and confrontation are not recommended."
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