The final frontier: conquering the seabed
We know more about the surface of the Moon and Mars than we do about the deep sea, and yet we depend on the oceans for so much of our resources – including oil and gas. Located deep beneath the visible offshore rigs (and sometimes operating without a rig at all), subsea wells are changing the concept of offshore oil and gas production. But you may be surprised to know that the key to taking subsea processing to the next level is standardisation.
The deep sea is a truly alien place where the temperature is close to freezing and for every 10 metres of depth you reach the pressure increases by 14.5 pounds per square inches. Divers rarely exceed 180 metres and if you want to go any deeper, submersibles, robotic or manned, become the only options.
Subsea wells access great depths
Faced with such formidable conditions how do oil and gas companies operate at depths of 300 metres, or even 3,000 metres below the surface? The answer is subsea wells that produce hydrocarbons via installations on the seabed. With near-shore resources already well developed, these complex technologies are enabling us to take our pursuit for resources longer, further and deeper offshore.
Given recent advances in cost-reduction (compared to surface facilities), accessibility and efficiency, the use of subsea wells has increased. For example, half of Statoil’s production now comes from 500 subsea wells. Across the industry, analysts forecast global subsea hardware capital expenditure totalling $117 billion for the next four years – a growth of more than 80% over the preceding five years.
However, in comparison with conventional technologies, cost for equipment and operations have accelerated in recent years. In fact, as a result of the extraordinary growth of subsea, costs for installations have increased by 250% in the last 10-12 years. One of the main reasons for higher costs is due to operators working with suppliers on tailor-made solutions, on a project by project basis. Recognising this issue, the industry is exploring standardisation, which will deliver volume and drive down costs.
Innovation through standardisation
To understand the importance of standardisation to subsea operations it helps to think about LEGO. Just as with the much loved coloured bricks, developing modules which fit together is crucial to developing solutions which are applicable across the industry. This LEGO-style model has been key to the success of the automotive industry. There automotive companies have developed standardised models (family, sporty, city) allowing them to work efficiently with suppliers. Translating this model to subsea will, likewise, allow suppliers to deliver standardised models to producers.
Industry collaboration
Successfully achieving standardisation will depend on industry collaboration. Currently several joint industry partnerships (JIP) are underway, bringing together oil and gas producers focusing on various elements of subsea technology, including the interface, underwater grid, power solutions and more. The goal of these JIPs is to develop internationally agreed industry standards.
Collaboration to achieve standardisation is innovation in an uncharacteristic form. Typical conceptions of innovation are limited to small and revolutionary start-ups, or large ‘game-changing’ technologies. However, for subsea, innovation is about ensuring the long-term feasibility of existing technology. In the world of subsea, standardisation is the new innovation.
source:
http://www.energyrealities.org/technology-and-innovation/the-final-frontier-conquering-the-seabed/
