Offshore/subsea systems

Novel Subsea Production System Reduces Costs, Heightens Efficiency in China’s Bohai Bay

This paper presents an engineering solution tailored for shallow-water oilfield development in Bohai Bay, addressing the confluence of spatial constraints, marginal economics, and environmental conditions that have rendered such reserves stranded.

Fig. 1—Diagram of shallow-water subsea wellhead system.
Fig. 1—Diagram of shallow-water subsea wellhead system.
Source: OTC 36730.

The operator’s Bohai oilfield is its largest crude oil production base, with an annual production of 265 MMbbl. However, because Bohai Bay is an internal bay with an average water depth of 60 ft, commonly used jacket platforms are prohibited. This paper presents an engineering solution tailored for shallow-water oilfield development in Bohai Bay, addressing the confluence of spatial constraints, marginal economics, and environmental conditions that have rendered such reserves stranded.

Technological Challenges

Dimensional Specifications of Subsea Equipment. Subsea production equipment is deployed in water depths spanning hundreds to thousands of meters. Conventional subsea trees require heavy-lift-vessel deployment.

×
SPE_logo_CMYK_trans_sm.png
Continue Reading with SPE Membership
SPE Members: Please sign in at the top of the page for access to this member-exclusive content. If you are not a member and you find JPT content valuable, we encourage you to become a part of the SPE member community to gain full access.