1

Deep Water field development strategy

in Indian Offshore.

By : Prof. S.S.P Singh

 Why Deepwater ? 2

 Oil Exploration and development in Deep waters

has been gaining importance worldwide in last
few years

 Deep waters exploration has resulted in

considerable success, which has further
encouraged companies to venture in this high
cost high risk field development with new and
cost effective technologies
Offshore Production-2020
3
 4

Source: https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-Deepwater-Operation-
Presentation/
 A Historical perspective
5

• First well drilled out of sight of land 67 years ago in 21 ft water depth
 Today, we are drilling in depths exceeding 10,000 ft

• First offshore platform installed in 1947 in 21 ft of water

 Today, platforms are being installed in depths exceeding 8,000 ft

• World’s tallest structure was installed offshore in 1979 in 360 ft of water

.
 Today, a fixed platform stands in excess of 1,800 ft of water

• First subsea tree installed in early 1960’s in less than 320 ft of water
 Today, subsea trees are being installed in depths exceeding 9,500 ft
of water
 What is Deep Water - Changing Definition 6
• Petrobras : Fields occurring in water
depth 400-1000 m.
Those lying below 1000 meters
are classified as ultra deep
• Shell : Beyond 400 meters water
depth is deepwater
• India (NELP) : Beyond 400 meters
& EXXON
Latest definition : Fields beyond 500 m WD
 Worldwide Deepwater Activities 7

• Deepwater regions where E&P activities are likely to be at

their most intense :
- Gulf of Mexico
- Offshore Brazil
- West Africa (Angola, Nigeria, Gabon)
- North West Europe (West of Shetlands,
Faroe Islands, Northern Norway)
- Asia Pacific ( Philippines & Indonesia,
Offshore China)
 Deep Water Regions of The World
8

While Brazil led the industry into the deepwater sphere, recent developments in the US Gulf of
Mexico and off West Africa have shifted focus of deepwater operations to these areas. In Asia,
Indonesia and India emerge as active deepwater regions while in North West Europe Norway
and the UK offer deepwater potential.
 9

Source: https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-Deepwater-Operation-
Presentation/
Deepwater Prospects of India
10
Major Deepwater operating Companies
11
BP

Petrobras

Shell

TotalFina Elf

ExxonMobil

CHVRON-Texaco

BG International

Unocol

Statoil

Kerr-McGee

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Reserves(mmboe)
Total Reserve 1996-2000 Total Reserves 2001-2005
12
Offshore installation Option
13
Key areas of Deepwater Technologies 14
require understanding

• Well engineering and well productivity including

drive mechanism
• Choice of Production System – Fixed, Floating
Production facilities or FPSO
• Sub sea systems
• Control Systems
• Flow assurance and pipeline/flow lines