deepwater

During the 10-year period between 2003 and 2013, Mexico drilled 30 deep- and ultradeepwater wells in water depths ranging from 512 to 2900 m.

The SPE Delta Section will cohost its annual Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Technical Symposium in New Orleans in August. A variety of topics on deepwater exploration and production (E&P) will be presented.

This paper describes field experiences and perspectives on a Smart Fields implementation for the Bonga deepwater field and uses the results of a post-implementation study to evaluate the business effects and lessons learned after 5 years.

The offshore industry has taken another step toward opening up new deepwater frontiers to exploration with Maersk Drilling ordering the first 20,000-psi blowout preventer (BOP) made by GE Oil and Gas.

Because of extremely high internal and external pressures, unconventional separator designs must be used in ultradeepwater applications. A major operator has qualified a number of subsea technologies covering a wide range of operating conditions and fluid properties that encompass its subsea portfol

The value of new technology, and its ROI, is examined. Understanding the value proposition is not a trivial matter. When investing in facilities technologies, we have traditionally looked to invest in those that will reduce Capex or Opex. But what about niche technologies?

As production from mature basins onshore and in shallow water declines, the development of deepwater reserves has become vital. Consequently, production and Capex are expected to rise.

Many problems that result in BOP downtime could be prevented if only drilling contractors knew which parts of the subsea system to replace and when. BOP monitoring systems have been developed to increase reliability by enabling preventive maintenance.

Two years ago, as drillers approached the bottom of a deepwater well in the Lula field, they were stopped again and again by total drilling fluid losses.

During OTC in Houston last month, offshore construction capabilities drew a room-capacity audience to a technical session about advances in deepwater construction techniques and vessels, including pipelaying and heavy lifting.