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Abstract In recent marginal field developments with challenging reservoir characteristics and economics, PETRONAS has embarked into a new concept of field development utilizing relocatable Wellhead Platform (WHP), Export Pipeline and Floating, Production, Storage & Offloading (FPSO) facilities. One of the notable unique technical aspects of this concept is the use of Suction Pile Foundation to anchor the fixed WHP on the seabed instead of the conventional pile method. Retreval of the foundation is possible without damaging the jacket, thus allowing relocation of the WHP to other potential field without major structure modification. The first WHP that utilized this concept was the Ophir Development. In 2017 Ophir encountered early cessation of production. Hence, PETRONAS had the opportunity to explore re-locating the Ophir facilities to another marginal field development. This relocation has safeguarded PETRONAS’ financial exposure for early termination of FPSO leasing contract, and re-use of the WHP and flexible flowline. The Development team was tasked to conduct an asset portfolio screening (based on selection criteria) to identify a suitable marginal field that could benefit from these assets. Working together with the execution team and technology vendor, several platform relocation methods were assessed. The recommendation for field relocation was made based on the most feasible and economically attractive option. Integration and collaboration of multiple parties from the development, abandonment and execution teams were crucial in ensuring success of the project. Taking into account technical requirements and challenges that were anticipated in facilities relocation has enabled relocation of the WHP to be completed in less than 30 days with a 40% cost saving in comparison to conventional development plan. This project has demonstrated PETRONAS’ agility to identify a feasible solution to turn setback into opportunity, further demonstrating proof of concept for the ‘hummingbird’ development to unlock multiple marginal fields and at the same time minimizing abandonment liability and exposure due to early cessation of field production. This paper explains the processes that have taken place and the technical consideratiosn in implementing a hummingbird’ facilities relocation project for marginal field development.
Abidin et al. (Thu,) studied this question.