Monday morning's "New Deepwater Construction Equipment Update" highlighted multiple vessels that can be used for operational assistance. Saipem discussed the merits of theCasterone DP pipelay vessel, which has a stinger that is designed against 1500Te pipe pull. It also features pipe lay guidance, which is also featured on other saipem vessels including theSaipem 700. The vessel is currently heading to the Mediterranean after completing work at the Jack/St. Malo development. Casterone was responsible for laying 280km of pipe, which were 20-24in. in diameter in water depths ranging from 230-2200m.
Also featured in the session were Heerema's Aegir deepwater construction vessel. Presenter Jan Van Der Graf said the company assessed its fleet and considered market demands before introducing the vessel. "Offshore oil and gas will grow to 75MMboe/d in 2040, with subsea being a key growth driver," he said. "Heavy lift is not going away." Considerations for the Aegirincluded high pipelaying capabilities, high traveling speed, and reeling potential. The Aegirwas designed for heavy pipelay to 2000T top tension and 3500m water depth. It has a heavy lift capacity of up to 4000T, and reeling up to 800T top tension based on lifted reels. Aegir'sfirst project was at Anadarko's Lucius field, its next project will be INPEX's Ichthys field. The work scope will include installation of 85km of 18in. pipeline, 8km of 12in. clad pipe, 26km of 8in. clad pipe, and 35km of 6in. MEG pipe.
—Audrey Leon
Experts in the "Field Development: Managing Economics and Risks" session shared insights on various phases of the development process. Key personnel from Shell Upstream Americas were onboard for “Key Aspects of Deepwater Appraisal" and “Deepwater Development Strategy," the first two papers.
“Appraisal sets the scene for the development life cycle,” Shell's David Reid said. “Appraising before discovery is critical.” Reid then mentioned the two critical pillars for deepwater appraisal: subsurface and development aspects. One key messages Reid had for attendees was to stay the course during the “roller-coaster” appraisal period.
Shell Upstream America’s Martijn Dekker, who worked on the development strategies for Perdido and Stones, presented “Deepwater Development Strategy.” In the presentation he discussed the various risks associated with development strategy. “Project complexity is related to the experience of the operator or the consortium,” he said, when discussing factors that shape strategies. He named scheduling as another main factor in shaping strategy.
—Sarah Parker Musarra
The BP-sponsored Next Wave Program—targeted at young professionals—included a keynote from BP vice president, performance-global wells, Leigh Ann Russell and empire sessions from industry professionals at Baker Hughes, Schlumberger, and Weatherford.
"It's very important that we all tell our stories to help understand how we can make this industry more and more diverse," Russell said. "I think we're doing great things, but I think we need to do more. That's why I'm looking to this room, to this generation of next leaders to say what you're going to do. What new technologies are you going to bring that will give us better production, safer operations, and manage the environmental impact? There's so much more we need to do as an industry and you are the people who can do it for us."
Russell explained that younger generations are a key factor in the future of the industry. She, and the empire session speakers, stressed the importance of mentorships, gaining experience in the field, and being flexible to the inevitable changes that will occur during the span of one’s career. The empire sessions went further in providing in-depth guidelines on where young professionals in the industry should be once they've hit their five-year, ten-year and beyond checkmarks in their careers.
—Anthresia McWashington
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