Shell's Brutus TLP shut in for repairs

Feb. 21, 2002
Shell Exploration & Production Co. (Sepco) has confirmed it shut in its Brutus tension leg platform (TLP) on Feb. 12 because of valve failures in the production processing system. During the shutdown, work will be initiated to expand the platform's oil production capacity to 130,000 b/d from 60,000 b/d.

By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Feb. 21 -- Shell Exploration & Production Co. (Sepco) has confirmed it shut in its Brutus tension leg platform (TLP) on Feb. 12 because of valve failures in the production processing system.

During the shutdown, Sepco said, work would be initiated to expand production capacity to 130,000 b/d of oil. Brutus had been producing 60,000 b/d of oil and 90 MMcfd of gas from four wells. A fifth well is shut in. Ongoing drilling operations on the sixth well were unaffected.

The valve failures caused no safety or environmental risk to the platform or the personnel. An investigation will be conducted and repairs made, the company said.

Although the cause of the problem remains undetermined, Sepco said initial indications suggest that stimulation fluids from a well may have entered the gas processing system, causing equipment damage. Other potential causes also are being investigated.

Sepco Pres. and CEO Raoul Restucci said the repairs and expansion activities could take at least a month.

Oil and gas production from the Brutus TLP began in August 2001 (OGJ, Sept. 10, 2001, p. 66). Brutus is in 2,985 ft of water on Green Canyon Block 158.