facility design

Three case studies discuss the challenges of defining efficient facilities in difficult locations.

Bridging the gap between facilities and reservoir engineers is critical in designing systems that are flexible enough to allow a spectrum of reservoir feed conditions to be accommodated over the life cycle of the field. While subsurface uncertainties can't be eliminated, they can be managed.

Engineering culture is largely a safety culture. We have to assume that people will make a mistake and protect them from themselves through the way we design facilities.

This paper reviews the key areas for facility designers and engineers to include when designing facilities to ensure safe facilities. Use and incorporation of the principles outlined in this paper should enable engineers and designers to build safe facilities that reduce the risk of major incidents.

A recent workshop titled “Bridging the Gap Between Reservoir Engineering and Facilities Design” brought together more than 120 representatives of both disciplines to discuss the topsides/reservoir interface. Reservoir uncertainties and how they affect design was a key topic.

The ultimate success of a deepwater project depends on phases from early concept selection, design, construction, commissioning, and startup to operation. However, the boundaries and transfer of responsibilities may not be sharply demarcated between phases.