Engineering For Oil and Gas

Engineering for Oil and Gas Exploration
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 1
Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
CONTENTS
Oil and Gas Exploration

First Oil Exploration
Hydrocarbon exploration and Transportation
Oil and Gas Project Overview
Oil and Gas Project Segments
Overview of Subsea Engineering
Drilling
Well completion
Wellhead
Subsea wellhead
Fixed Structures
Floating Structures
Fabrication and Installation
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 2
FIRST OIL EXPLORATION
First oil well was drilled in
1859 by Edwin Drake.
Use of contemporary
equipment, collected in
storage drums can be seen
from the picture.
First one to use driven pipe

in to the ground to bring oil
to the surface.
Employed by Seneca oil

company, oil was struck at
69.5m.
Today, the modern technology used for drilling, storage and transportation is
very much part of hydrocarbon exploration.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 3
OIL WELLS
Oil wells in early 60s were primarily

shallow depth and require pumping or
other means of bringing oil to the
surface.
Donkey pumps or sucker rod pumps were

used to bring oil the oil.
Free flowing oil wells came in to

existence as the drill depth exceeded
several hundred meters as the pressure
is high enough for the oil to flow up and
reach the surface.
Artificial or Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods or used in wells with

low pressure due to continuous exploration for a long time.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 4
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
Offshore platforms became integral part of oil and gas exploration to

support the drilling and production facilities in offshore miles away from
land.
Offshore platforms concept

has been developed Living Process Wellhead
keeping in view of the Facility Platform Platform
technology on drilling and
production on land.
Hence the offshore oil and

gas exploration primarily
stems on to a suitable
supporting structure in
shallow and deep water
either using fixed structure
or using floating structure.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 5
Hydrocarbon Production and Transportation
Riser
Well Fluid
Tie-in Spool
Conductors (wells)
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 6
Hydrocarbon Production and Transportation

Wellhead Platform
- Structure supports the drilling rig
- Facilitate the drilling through conductors which protects
the drill string from external environment
- Conductor is also used to bring the oil above water
through the flow lines.
Process Platform
- Primarily to remove unwanted large volume impurities
present in the fluid brought from the reservoir.
- Additional processing to condition the fluid for
transportation is carried out
Subsea Pipelines
Transportation of hydrocarbon in the form crude oil to
transport to onshore for further refinement
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 7
Wells and Manifold
Usually each wellhead platform will be installed
with more than one well and all the wells will be
manifolded and connected to the header for
further processing.
Typical wellhead or christmas tree is shown in

pictures.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 8
OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION SYSTEM SCHEMATIC
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 9
PROCESS FLOW SCHEMATIC
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 10
Separator
Separator is a pressure vessel that
separates three phase fluid in to Gas,
Water and Oil at high pressure and
temperature.
Separation can be carried out in

stages, Single Stage or Multistage.
First and Second Stage Separation is

high pressure while the Third stage
separation is low pressure.
In addition to the Separator, typical production process
will have Desander, Desalter, Coalescer, water
treatment package, hydrocylcone etc.
The produced oil is then exported and the

produced water may be disposed off to the sea.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 11
Gas Treatment and Compression
Heat Exchangers are used to cool the gas coming out
from the separator. Shell and Tube heat exchangers
are commonly used in the industry.
The cooled gas may contain moisture or liquid droplets

and the same shall be removed. Scrubber and re-
boiler is used to remove such droplets before the gas
is then sent to the compressor.
Gas compression is required to send
out the gas to the onshore.
This can be achieved by again single or

multi-stage compression using Low
pressure or High Pressure compressors.
Compressors can be screw type or axial

compressors.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 12
OIL AND GAS PROJECT SEGMENTS

The overall oil and gas project can be classified into following three
segments from drilling to final product at refinary
Upstream Production
- Reservoir assessment and Drilling
- Oil, water and gas separation from 3 phase fluid
- Heating, compression and pumping
Transportation
- Transporting Crude oil and natural gas to land
Downstream Refining
oil refinery, which converts crude oil into high-octane motor
fuel (gasoline/petrol), diesel oil, liquefied petroleum gases
(LPG), jet aircraft fuel, kerosene, heating fuel oils,
lubricating oils, asphalt and petroleum coke;
- natural gas processing plant, which purifies and converts
raw natural gas into residential, commercial and industrial
fuel gas, and also recovers natural gas liquids (NGL) such
as ethane, propane, butanes and pentanes;
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 13
OIL AND GAS PROJECT SEGMENTS
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 14
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 15
SUBSEA ENGINEERING
The location of exploration and exploitation extends in to deep sea
areas, the water depth and the environmental conditions becomes
extremely difficult to design and work with.
Alternate ideas were always on the look out and one such is to install
these exploration and exploitation equipment on the seabed it self thus
avoiding large structures either fixed or floating.
These ideas of change includes
Subsea well completion

Subsea production
Subsea gathering
The design activities shall be supported by sound engineering as we are

also dealing with high pressure and low temperature, though the effect
of sea wave has been reduced considerably at the sea bed.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 16
SUBSEA ENGINEERING
Subsea Engineering is vast field covering subsea well development,
reservoir management, risers and pipelines, subsea structures, etc
Well Development
- Drilling and well completion.
Pipelines and Risers

Rigid Pipe lines, Flexibles, Jumpers and Risers
Subsea Structures
Subsea Wellhead Manifold, Pipeline End manifold (PLEM),
Riser Supports;
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 17
WELLHEAD DRY OR WET ?

Wellheads located above water in a topside is called Dry wellhead or Dry
Tree and the wellhead located below water at the seabed is called wet
tree.
Dry
Wellhead
Wet Wellhead
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 18
DRY TREE CONCEPTS

Dry tree concepts are common in fixed platforms
and also in tension leg platforms where the
vertical movement is not appreciable.
Well Development

Rigid Pipe lines, Flexibles,
Jumpers and Risers
Subsea Structures
Subsea Wellhead Manifold,
Pipeline End manifold (PLEM),
Riser Supports;
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 19
WET TREE CONCEPTS

Wet tree concepts are common in floating
platforms such as Spar, FPSO and other
systems.
Well Development

Rigid Pipe lines, Flexibles,
Jumpers and Risers
Subsea Structures
Subsea Wellhead Manifold,
Pipeline End manifold (PLEM),
Riser Supports;
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 20
DRY AND WET TREE CONCEPTS
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 21
SUBSEA STRUCTURES AND FLOW LINES
The subsea wells include a wellhead and its

connection to the manifold for gathering the
flow and sending the fluid to the nearest
production platform or pipeline for transport.
Subsea structures are required to support the

following.
Subsea wellhead
Gathering manifold
Pipeline junction
Pipeline end Manifold
Pipeline Valve manifold
Production skids
Pipeline jumpers
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 22
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 23
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY METHODS
Geophysical survey methods

are used to search for potential
hydrocarbon accumulations.
Following methods are
commonly used.
Gravity Methods
Magnetic Methods
Electro Magnetic Methods
Acoustic Methods
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 24
ALTERNATIVE INTERPRETIONS OF THE SAME ANOMALY RESPONSE
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 25
GRAVITY METHOD
Gravity method measures the
small variations of the earths
gravity field caused by density
variations in geological structures.
sophisticated spring balance
designed to be responsive over a
wide range of values is used.
Fluctuations in gravity field give

rise to changes in the spring
length. Corrections for latitude
position (Bouguer Correction) will
be done prior to use. Most
applications use airborne devices
from aircraft or satellite.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 26
MAGENETIC METHOD
Magnetic method detects
changes in earths magnetic field
caused by variations in the
magnetic properties of rocks.
Basement and igneous rocks are
relatively highly magnetic. If
they are close to the surface they
give rise to anomalies with a
short wave length and high
amplitude.
Most applications use airborne

devices from aircraft or satellite
which permits rapid surveying
and mapping large areas quickly
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 27
ELECTRO-MAGENETIC METHOD
Controlled Source Electro-
Magnetic (CSEM) surveying or
seabed logging is a remote
sensing technique which uses
very low frequency electro-
magnetic signals emitted from
a source near the seabed.
Receivers are placed on the
seabed at regular intervals and
register anomalies and distortions
in the electro-magnetic signal
generated by resistive bodies such
as reservoirs saturated with
hydrocarbons.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 28
ACOUSTIC METHOD (SEISMIC METHOD)
Seismic Survey involve generating sound waves which propagate

through the earths rocks down to reservoir targets.
The waves are reflected to the surface, where they are registered in
receivers, recorded and stored for processing. The resulting data make up
an acoustic image of the subsurface which is interpreted by geophysics
and geologists.
Seismic surveying is used in

exploration for delineating structural and stratigraphic traps.
field appraisal and development for estimating reserves and drawing up
FDPs.
production for reservoir surveillance such as observing the movement
of reservoir fluids in response to production
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 29
PRINCIPLES OF SEISMIC SURVEY
Sound waves are generated at the surface (onshore) or under water

(offshore) and travel through the earths subsurface. The waves are
reflected back to the surface at the interface between two rock units
where is an appreciate change in acoustic impendence (AI) across
that interface. AI is the product of the density of the rock formation
and the velocity of the wave through that particular rock (seismic
velocity).
Convolution is the process by which a wave is modified as a result of
passing through a filter. The earth can be which a wave is modified as
a result of passing waveform characteristics of the down-going wave
(amplitude, phase, frequency). In schematic form the earth can be
represented either as AI log in represented in the time domain. When
the wave passes through the rocks its shape changes to produce a
wiggle trace that is a function of the original source wavelet and the
earths properties.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 30
SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION SURVEY VESSELS AT SEA
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 31
CHANGES IN ACOUSTIC IMPEDANCE (AI) GIVE RISE TO REFLECTED SEISMIC WAVES
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 32
CONVOLUTION OF REFLECTED SEISMIC WAVE
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
04 Jan 2010 33
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 34
WELL PLANNING
The drilling of a well involves a major investment, ranging from a few
million US$ for an onshore well to 100 million US$ plus for a deepwater
exploration well.
Well engineering is aimed at minimizing the value of this investment by

employing the most appropriate technology and business process, to drill
a fit for purpose well, at the minimum cost, without compromising safety
or environmental standards.
Successful drilling engineering requires the integration of many disciplines

and skills. Successful drilling projects will require extensive planning.
Usually, well are drilled with one, or a combination, of the following
objectives.
to gather information
to produce hydrocarbons
to inject gas or water to maintain reservoir pressure or sweep out oil
to dispose of water, drill cuttings or CO2 (sequestration)
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 35
RIG TYPES AND RIG SELECTION
The type of rig which will be selected depends upon a number of

parameter in particular.
cost and availability

water depth of location (offshore)
mobility/transportability (onshore)
depth of target zone and expected formation pressures
prevailing weather/metocean conditions in the area of operation
experience of the drilling crew (in particular the safety record)
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 36
OFFSHORE RIG TYPES
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 37
JACKUP RIG FOR DRILLING (EXPLORATORY)
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 38
Jackup Drilling over existing template structure

Movable
Drill Floor
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 39
SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE RIG (COURTESY OF STENA DRILLING)
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 40
DRILL SHIP TRANSOCEAN ENTERPRISE
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 41
TENDER ASSISTED DRILLING
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 42
DECK MOUNTED DRILLING RIG
Deck Mounted Drilling Rig
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 43
DRILLING METHODS
Top Hole Drilling (THD) method is used is very common in both
onshore and offshore.
This method involves drilling of large diameter hole using large drill
bits. Usually the first will be done after driving a top section of pipe
and drilling will be done through the pipe.
Subsequent sections of drill strings will be cemented sequentially.
Directional Drilling (DD) usually done with rotary steerable system.
A downhole steering and control unit is located in the near-bit
assembly.
Mud-turbine and mud motor is also used in directional drilling.
Horizontal Drilling (HD) is used when the reservoir fluids spread
over a large area. Horizontal well may provide optimum trajectory.
Usually, curved transition from vertical to horizontal will be employed.
When the horizontal reach is more than four time the vertical is then
called Extended Reach Drilling (ERD)
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 44
ROTARY STEERABLE SYSTEM
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 45
DRILLHEAD STRING
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 46
DRILL BITS
The most frequently used bit types are the roller cone or rock bit and
the Polycrystalline Diamond Compact bit or PDC bit.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 47
TYPICAL CASING SCHEME
Sets of casing is installed into the

ground and their corresponding
depth is indicated.
Conductor Casing 70m

Surface Casing 100-400m
Intermediate casing 1000m
Production casing 2000-3000m
Production liner 4000-6000m
The annulus space between the

casings will be cemented to contain
the flow as well as to achieve the
strength against the earth pressure.
The method of installation and

explained in subsequent discussion.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 48
TOP DRIVE SYSTEM
Top drive is normally positioned on
top of the drill floor. This will be
hanging from the drill tower using
the hanger system so that the
same can be moved up or down
during the drilling process.
The coupling between the top

drive and the drill string segment
will be based on quick connect
disconnect method.
The drive will transmit the torque

to the drill string which rotates the
drill string and drill down.
Drill strings are added in segments

of 12m in length.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 49
MUD CIRCULATION SYSTEM
During drilling by rotary drill bit, the
tip of the drill bit will be heated and
the temperature can raise to 1000
degrees and hence the same needs
to be cooled down.
Hence to reduce the heat, cooling

fluid is supplied through the drill
tube and circulated continuously
during the drilling.
Drill fluid or Drill mud is prepared in

specific viscosity, density and
temperature using cement and
water. The return fluid will be
reconditioned after the removal of
debris and recirculated.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 50
DRY TYPE CHRISTMAS TREES
Dry type wellheads can accommodate single, double or triple wellheads.
Dual Well Dual Well Triple Well
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 51
BLOW OUT PREVENTER (BOP)
A blowout preventer is a
large, specialized valve or
similar mechanical device,
usually installed redundantly in
stacks, used to seal, control
and monitor oil and gas wells.
Blowout preventers were

developed to cope with
extreme erratic pressures and
uncontrolled flow (formation
kick) emanating from a well
reservoir during drilling.
Kicks can lead to a potentially

catastrophic event known as a
blowout.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 52
SUBSEA WELL HEAD
Subsea well head and BOP for a deep

water drilling is shown in figure below.
The drilling is carried out from a semi-

submersible drilling rig and top tensioned
riser system.
Usually, subsea BOPs will have Ram type

BOP followed by Annular BOP on top.
The BOPs and valves will be controlled

from the surface using control lines
(hydraulic tubing).
The whole assembly is mounted on a

wellhead head using hydraulic connector.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 53
BP HORIZON BOP FAILURE
The BP Horizon drilling accident in 2009,
caused a huge oil pollution due to failure
of ram BOP failure.
Large amount of methane gas gushed out

to the surface and followed by fire and
explosion made the rig to sink.
Attempt to close during the initial period

failed though several attempts were made
using ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle).
Later, the well was closed using a

alternate side well and the bottom of the
well was cemented by pumping in grout.
Still the main cause of the failure is not

known clearly.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 54
TYPES OF WELLS
PRODUCTION WELLS
FREE FLOWING WELL
A free flowing well has enough down hole pressure (100
PSI) for the fluid to come up to the surface.
LIFTED WELL
If the formation pressure is too low and water or gas
injection cannot maintain the pressure then the well
must be artificially lifted.
INJECTION WELLS
WATER INJECTION WELLS
Water is injected into the reservoir to maintain
hydrostatic pressure of the reservoir and force the oil to
move towards the well
GAS INJECTION WELLS
Similar to water, but instead of water, gas is injected in
to increase the reservoir pressure
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 55
TYPES OF WELLS
Gas expands
and pushes oil
downwards
Water flows in
and pushes oil
upwards
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 56
THE FLOWING WELL
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 57
THE ESP LIFT WELL
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 58
WELL CASINGS
There are five different types of well casing. They include:
CONDUCTOR CASING
SURFACE CASING
INTERMEDIATE CASING
PRODUCTION CASING
TUBING
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 59
CONDUCTOR CASINGS Conductor

casing
Conductor casing, which is usually no

more than 50 to 70 m long, is installed
before main drilling to prevent the top
of the well from caving in and to help
in the process of circulating the drilling
fluid up from the bottom of the well.
Typical conductor casing diameter

varies from 20 to 30 (508mm to
762mm)
Reservoir
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 60
SURFACE CASINGS Conductor

casing
Surface casing is the next type of
casing to be installed. It can be
anywhere from 100 to 400 meters
long, and is smaller in diameter than
Surface
the conductor casing and fits inside the casing
conductor casing. The primary purpose
of surface casing is to protect fresh
water deposits near the surface of the
well from being contaminated by
leaking hydrocarbons or salt water
from deeper underground. It also
serves as a conduit for drilling mud
returning to the surface, and helps
protect the drill hole from being
damaged during drilling. Reservoir
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 61
INTERMEDIATE CASINGS Conductor

casing
Intermediate casing is usually the longest
section of casing found in a well. The
primary purpose of intermediate casing is
to minimize the hazards that come along
with subsurface formations that may Surface
casing
affect the well. These include abnormal
underground pressure zones,
underground shales, and formations that
might otherwise contaminate the well, Intermediat
such as underground salt water deposits. e casing
Liner stings are sometimes used instead
of intermediate casing Liner strings are
usually just attached to the previous
casing with hangers, instead of being
cemented into place and is thus less Reservoi
permanent. r
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 62
PRODUCTION CASINGS Conductor

casing
Production casing, alternatively called the
Oil string, is installed last and is the
deepest section of casing in a well. This is
the casing that provides formation. The size
of the production casing depends on a Surface
number of considerations, including the casing
lifting equipment to be used, the number of
completions required, and the possibility of
deepening the well at a later time. For
example, if it is expected that the well will Intermediate
be deepened at a later date, then the casing
production casing must be wide enough to

allow the passage of a drill bit later on. It is
Production
also instrumental in preventing blowouts, casing
allowing the formation to be sealed from
the top should dangerous pressure levels
Reservoir
be reached.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 63
TUBING OR FLOWLINE
Once the casing is installed, tubing is inserted inside the
casing, from the opening well at the top, to the formation at
the bottom. The hydrocarbons that are extracted run up this
tubing to the surface.
The production casing is typically 5 to 28cm (2-11 in) with

most production wells being 6 in or more. Production depends
on reservoir, barrels per day. (5000 bpd is about 555
liters/minute).
A packer is used between casing and tubing at the bottom of

the well.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 64
BASICS OF OFFSHORE
STRUCTURES
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 65
Contents
Classification of offshore Conceptualization
structures Loading on Foundations
Fixed Structures Load Transfer concept
Floating Structures Design Spiral
Gravity Structures Fabrication & Installation
Fixed Structures Fabrication
Jacket Templates Loadout
Compliant Towers Transportation
Jackups Launching
Floating Structures Lifting
Upending
Tension Leg Platforms
Semi-submersibles Analysis and Design
Spars Analysis methods
Truss Spars Design methods (LRFD & WSD)
FPSOs Tubular members
Articulated Towers Tubular Connections
Gravity Structures Codes and Standards
Subsea Structures
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 66
Can be classified into three broad categories

based on their foundation concepts
Bottom Fixed Structures
Jacket or Template type structures
Compliant Structures
Semi-fixed Structures (Jackups)
Floating Structures (Buoyant but Moored)
Tension Leg Platforms
Semi-submersible
Articulated Towers
FPSOs
Gravity Based Structures
Concrete Gravity Base Structure
Steel Gravity Base Structure
Subsea Structures
Gravity Templates Structure
Piled Templates Structure (PLEM)
Pipeline End Manifold (PLEM)
Well Template
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 67
Offshore Structures for Oil and Gas Exploration
Spectrum of offshore structures concepts developed over the last century. These
concepts range from fixed and floating structures.
Fixed structures are those resting on seabed with pile foundations transferring all
gravity and environmental loads to seabed.
Floating structures are those floating on water with gravity loads supported by
buoyancy and the environmental loads transferred to seabed by mooring system
and anchor foundations.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 68
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 69
Fixed Platforms
Wellhead Platforms
Generally 4 legged or Tripods (3 legged)
Supports minimum topside
Supports Well conductors sizes ranging from 16 to 30
In Persian Gulf, typical water depths around 30-70m,
most jacket installed by lifting with weight ranging from
600T to 2000 T
Process Platforms
Generally 8 legged or 6 legged
Large topsides either installed by modular lifts or float-
over
Large 8 legged Jackets weight vary from 4000T to 6000 T
depending on water depth
South China Sea water depth ranging from 90m to 120m
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 70
A fixed Offshore Platform
An offshore platform for drilling and production of

oil and gas interconnected by a bridge.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 71
Jackup Rigs
Movable Jackup is a semi-fixed
Drill Floor structure with floating hull.
Jackups are predominantly

used for drilling though in
some cases, it is also used
for production in marginal
field
Jackups are supported on

legs conventionally lattice
frames or tubular
construction.
A jackup rig drilling a well through an existing wellhead platform using a cantilever
rig floor. The jackup rig is supported on to seabed through legs fitted with large mat
foundation called Spudcan.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 72
Wellhead platforms
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 73
Process platforms
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 74
As we move away from shallow water depth, the safety in

design revolves around economy and new technology
Wellhead and Process, Living Wellhead, Process, Living facilities in

platforms separated by a distance a single platforms
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 75
Fixed Offshore Structures
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 76
What it means
Offshore Structures subjected to most onerous and severe loading
conditions.
Storm Wind, Waves and Currents
Water Depths in excess of 600m for fixed structures
Water Depths in excess of 3000m for floating structures
Operating in Temperature far below normal temperature
Special Materials required resist corrosive environment
Loads are cyclic and fatigue loading will be important
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 77
YOU WILL BE DESIGNING

STRUCTURES TO SERVE IN MOST HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 78
AS HIGH AS SKY SCRAPERS
Comparison
Platforms are as high
as skyscrapers
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 79
Twister
Design in Difficult Environment does not mean

Complicated design, but keep it as simple as possible
Always think how you will execute it!!
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 80
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 81
When do we opt for floating structures ?

Water Depth exceeding 500m
Design and installation of fixed structures
becomes uneconomical and practically
impossible !
Hostile Environmental conditions
Possible to relocate to safe areas in case of
extreme environmental conditions if operations
permit.
Large Topside Loads (both weight and size)
Often limited by pile foundation capacity and
footprint size of superstructure
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 82
What can they designed for ?

Drilling
Structures suitable even in shallow water due
to their mobility Drill ships and semis used
for drilling
Production
Can support large size topsides often a
problem in fixed structures
Storage
Not possible in fixed structures and is a useful
method for marginal fields where offloading is
not continuous
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 83
FLOATING STRUCTURES
Tension Leg Platform (TLP)
Spar Platform (Classic or Truss)
Articulated Tower
Floating Production System (FPS)
Floating Production, Storage and Offloading
System (FPSO)
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 84
Semi-
TPG 500 Unideck Spar EDP FPSO
submersible
Source : Technip
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 85
Source : MMS, USA

Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 86
Source : MMS, USA
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 87
Tension leg platform

Tension Leg Platform concept is arising from a
set of buoyant columns held on to the sea bed
by means of cables, thus producing effective
tension in the cables.
The TLP uses tubular members as tension

supports between the pontoon and the seabed
and thus the effective tension avoid the buckling
of the tubes under any compression loading
during movement of the floater downwards.
The floater supports the topside payload by

means of sufficient buoyancy from the hull.
This reduces the vertical motion considerably.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 88
Tension leg platform
Tension Leg Platform (TLP) is a floating hull,
usually supported on four columns and
pontoons.
The columns are connected to hull through

vertical tethers and anchored to seabed with a
pretension. The pretension is achieved from the
excess buoyancy.
The gravity loads from the hull and the topsides

are supported by buoyancy from the hull similar
to the ships.
TLPs are very common for deep water

applications for drilling and production in excess
of 1000m water depth.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 89
TENSION LEG PLATFORMS
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 90
Semi-submersibles
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 91
Spar
SPAR Single Point mooring And Reservoir
Spar is a deep draft cylindrical hull

floating upright
Payload supported by buoyancy
Moored to seabed by Taut or

Catenary mooring lines
Combined Centre of Gravity of

Payload, Spar and Ballast kept below
the Centre of Buoyancy
Has large volume for storage

(Reservoir)
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 92
Truss Spar
Truss Spar is a variation of the floating

cylinder with additional extension
using open truss at the bottom.
This provides additional supports

below the hull to the risers.
Further, the ballast tank is located at

the bottom of the truss to increase the
stability by shifting the COG
downwards.
This is the most commonly used Spar

hulls in the industry
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 93
Typical Section of Spar

Similar to any floating hulls such as the
ships, the Spar hull is divided in to
compartments both in vertical and
horizontal direction.
The central area is open to the sea

called Moon pool allows the drilling
and production risers from seabed to
the topsides.
Compartments are as 4 or 6 or 8 in plan

and number of compartments in vertical
direction is made depending on the
storage and buoyancy requirements.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1 Sep 2009 94
Spar Hull types

CLASSIC TRUSS CELL TRUSS
Source : Technip
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 95
SPAR Hull Section
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 96
SPAR PLATFORM
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 97
Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO)

Floating Production, Storage & Offloading System (FPSO)
consists of a large tanker type vessel moored to the seafloor.
An FPSO is designed to process and store production from nearby

subsea wells and to periodically offload the stored oil to a smaller
shuttle tanker.
The shuttle tanker then transports the oil to an onshore facility for
further processing.
An FPSO may be suited for marginally economic fields located in

remote deep water areas where a pipeline infrastructure does not
exist.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 98
TYPICAL FPSO MODULAR ARRANGMENT
Courtesy : Wikipedia
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 99
TURRET MOORED FPSOs

D R IL L IN G /S U B S T R U C T U R E
P IP E R A C K P O W E R G E N E R A T IO N
PROCESS LQ
O FF- H E L ID E C K
L O A D IN G
TURRET +
M O O R IN G THRU STER S
External Turret Moored FPSO Internal Turret Moored FPSO
Turret mooring is a device attached to the FPSO so that the mooring lines are
attached to the seabed and the device allows the FPSO to revolve around. The
is termed as weather waning and thus reduces the motion response of the ship
considerably. This also permits the flow of fluid through a swival at the top
without damaging the fluid pipe.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 100
SPREAD MOORED FPSO
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 101
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 102
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 103
Gravity Base Structures - Development

The early development of gravity platforms in the 1970s was driven by
the generic requirement to store large volumes of oil and support a
heavy topsides in deep water. A large number of platforms were
constructed of this type, characterized by the Olav Olsen's "Condeep"
concept.
All of these structures were partially built in a dry dock and then
completed afloat in sheltered waters. At that time, there was no pipeline
infrastructure, and the capacity of heavy lift vessels was only a few
thousand tons. It was determined that the oil storage requirement could
be used to design a structure with sufficient buoyancy and stability to
transport a heavy topsides from an inshore location to site.
Therefore, topsides could be assembled inshore, mated with the

substructure at a sheltered deep water location and extensively hooked
up inshore, before the whole facility was transported to the field and
installed.
NPTEL course Slide Dr. S. Nallayarasu

105 Department of Ocean Engineering
The key characteristics singly, or in

combination, that make CGBS units
the preferred solution are:
Requirement for oil or
condensate storage
Heavy topsides
Soil conditions that make piled
substructures unattractive, such
as on Australia's North-West
Shelf
Remote hub applications at the
edge of the continental shelf
where shallow water processing
can be provided for deep water
subsea wells
Desire to have a higher local
content than has been achieved
on previous field developments.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
NPTEL course Slide
106
Concrete Gravity Base Structures - Elements

Base Caisson: Used to provide buoyancy during wet
tow of the CGBS from the casting basin to the
installation site
Open Cells: The open cells provide additional
buoyancy for float-out from the casting basin. Once
the CGS reaches sufficiently deep water the open
cells are flooded to prevent uncontrolled filling by
green water during wet tow. After installation of the
CGS crushed rock ballast is placed in the open cells
to provide additional on-bottom weight for global
stability during extreme environmental conditions.
Shafts: The four full height shafts are used to
support the topsides. The risers and appurtenances
may be installed on the inside or outside of the
shafts. The shafts have conservatively been
designed for the wave loading attracted by externally
mounted appurtenances, although there is sufficient
internal shaft space to locate most appurtenances
internally. The final location of the appurtenances will
be determined in subsequent phases of design.
Installation
The CGBS shall be installed using the inclined installation method.
The stability during each stage of the installation shall be checked to
ensure a sufficient margin of positive stability.
Installation sequence

Ballasting Compartments
The ballasting compartments within the base shall be formed from
interconnected structural cells.
Individual cells shall be interconnected both at a high and low level by
penetrations through the intermediate walls to permit flow of water
and to vent air from the cells.
The compartments shall be designed to be watertight when subjected
to design hydrostatic pressures.
All of the compartments within the caisson base shall have to be
required for installation.
The shafts continue below the caisson roof and will not be flooded until
after installation.
Sea Water Inlets
A minimum of two sea water inlets should be provided to ensure that
installation may continue with one inlet blocked. This may be due to a
valve that cannot be opened or detritus blocking the inlet.
The inlets should not be located close together so as to reduce the risk
of common mode blockage.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
NPTEL course Slide
109
Construction
Construction of Base Slab Construction of Base Caisson Walls

Concrete Gravity Base Structures Construction
Construction of Roof Slab Construction of Shafts

Concrete Gravity Base Structures Float-out /

Towing
Float-out from casting basin Wet Towing to installtion site

Concrete Gravity Base Structures Installation
CGBS Installation Topsides Float-over

Gravity Base Structures Future Concepts

Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 115
Yard Facilities
Quay Side (water front)
Large Space (with sufficient ground bearing
capacity)
Welding shops
Welding and Inspection equipment
Painting Shop
Yard cranes
Jacks and winches
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 116
TYPICAL FABRICATION YARD

ONSHORE TRAIN MODULES
JACKET
INTEGRATED DECK
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 117
Fixed Offshore Structures - 9th June 2010 Slide 43 2008 Aker Solutions part of Aker
TYPICAL FABRICATION YARD
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 118
Fixed Offshore Structures - 9th June 2010 Slide 44 2008 Aker Solutions part of Aker
ANODES BOUYANCY TANKS.

Bouyancy Tank Pile Guide
Skirt Sleeve
Anode
Mudmat
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 119
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 120
Forces Induced on Structures

Pre-service Stage During the fabrication and Installation, the
structures are subjected to forces due to the method of
installation. Hence an understanding of the method of installation
is required. Following sub segments of installation is discussed.
Loadout
Lifting
Transportation
Launch
Upending
Operational Stage The loads arising from its functional

requirements. This includes its service loads and associated
environmental loads from wave, current and wind.
Survival Stage Loads arising from extreme storm condition.

This includes platform weight and extreme storm wave, current
and wind loads
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 121
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 122
LOADOUT METHODS
LIFTED LOADOUT For small jacket and decks, where crane
either land based or floating is available with adequate capacity,
loadout can be done by lifting and placing it on the cargo barge.
SKIDDED LOADOUT For larger jackets and decks, of several

thousand tonnes weight, usually skidded loadout is employed to
avoid large capacity cranes. The jacket or deck will be mounted
on a temporary skid support either continuous or discrete and
will be pulled on to the barge using winches.
TRAILER LOADOUT Recent times, the trailer loadout is

getting more popular due to its robustness and quick preparatory
time. Trailers are multi-axle load balancing wheels with
appropriate spreader girders on top. The jacket or deck will be
moved from quayside on to the barge using these trailers and
they will be removed.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 123
No Support
Barge Ballasted
A too much
Barge
B Barge not enough

ballast during rising tide
Barge
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 124
No Support
Ballast Pump Failures
C during rising tide
Barge
Barge
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 125
Loadout of Launch Jacket

Bollard
Mooring Line
Pull Wires
Pivot and Winch
pulley Fender
Jacket
Loadout
Skid Rails Direction
Yard
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 126
LOADOUT OF LAUNCH JACKET
Launch Barge
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 127
DECK TRAILER LOADOUT

Temporary Brace
COG
Temporary Trailer
Support
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 128
TRAILER CARRYING A DECK MODULE
Trailer
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 129
JACKET TRAILER LOADOUT

TRAILERS
CARGO BARGE
FABRICATION
YARD QUAY SIDE
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 130
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 131
TRANSPORTATION METHODS
DRY TOW The transportation method adopted for most
offshore structures are using dump barges and tugs are
normally used for towing. Usually tugs will move at a speed
of around 6 knots (Approx 3 m/sec).
WET TOW For faster transportation, self propelled vessels

can be used such as conventional ship shape vessels and
semi-submersible type carriers. Usually used for trans-
continental tow. The speeds can reach as much as 10 to 12
knots. Reduce transportation time by half thus reducing the
risk along the route.
SELF TOW Large jackets, gravity platform structures,

spare type structures some times self towed to the site using
tugs. Special care needs to taken for such transportation
arrangements.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 132
TYPICAL TRANSPORTATION ROUTE
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 133
JACKET READY FOR TOW
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 134
DECKS BEING TOWED
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 135
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 136
LIFT METHODS
SINGLE CRANE Generally single crane lift is adopted for all
cases depending on the capacity. Examples of this type of lift
is jacket or deck lift in offshore. Most of the vessels in asian
region fitted with cranes in the range of 1000 Tonnes to 3500
Tonnes.
DUAL CRANE For larger jackets, some times dual crane lift
is used. Typically Heerama vessel is fitted with dual cranes
and can be used for lifts as much as 16,000 Tonnes.
MULTIPLE CRANES Multiple crane lifts are notmally not

used in offshore operation due to problem associated with
control and is used in jacket upending in the yard. Some time
also used for upending jacket panels and lifting deck panels.
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 137
Auxialiary
Hook
Main Hook
Boom
Crane Engine
Sling
Jacket
Crane Vessel
Cargo Barge
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 138
JACKET LIFTED OFF THE BARGE
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 139
DECK LIFTED OFF THE BARGE
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 140
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 141
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 142
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 143
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 144
BARGE TRIM
Trim Angle
Forward Draft
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 145
LAUNCH DURATION
After cutting the sea-fastening, jacket will move forward

towards the rocker arm.
If the jacket does not move, artificial push using strand
jack or winch shall be applied to overcome the initial static
friction.
Once the jacket starts to move, generally the launch
duration shall not take more than 2 to 3 minutes
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 146
JACKET LAUNCH TRAJECTORY
Phase 1 to 3
Phase 4
Push Final
Phase 5 Floating
Position
Barge
Seabed Clearance
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 147
Design for Pre-Service Loads

(A jacket After Launch)
Dr. S. Nallayarasu
1/13/2015 148

Engineering For Oil and Gas

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Engineering For Oil and Gas

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Engineering For Oil and Gas

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Engineering for Oil and Gas Exploration

Oil and Gas Exploration

First one to use driven pipe

Employed by Seneca oil

Oil wells in early 60s were primarily

Donkey pumps or sucker rod pumps were

Free flowing oil wells came in to

Artificial or Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods or used in wells with

Offshore platforms became integral part of oil and gas exploration to

Offshore platforms concept

Hence the offshore oil and

Hydrocarbon Production and Transportation

Hydrocarbon Production and Transportation

Typical wellhead or christmas tree is shown in

OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION SYSTEM SCHEMATIC

PROCESS FLOW SCHEMATIC

Separation can be carried out in

First and Second Stage Separation is

The produced oil is then exported and the

The cooled gas may contain moisture or liquid droplets

This can be achieved by again single or

Compressors can be screw type or axial

OIL AND GAS PROJECT SEGMENTS

OIL AND GAS PROJECT SEGMENTS

These ideas of change includes

Subsea well completion

The design activities shall be supported by sound engineering as we are

Pipelines and Risers

WELLHEAD DRY OR WET ?

DRY TREE CONCEPTS

Pipelines and Risers

WET TREE CONCEPTS

Pipelines and Risers

DRY AND WET TREE CONCEPTS

SUBSEA STRUCTURES AND FLOW LINES

The subsea wells include a wellhead and its

Subsea structures are required to support the

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY METHODS

Geophysical survey methods

ALTERNATIVE INTERPRETIONS OF THE SAME ANOMALY RESPONSE

Fluctuations in gravity field give

Most applications use airborne

ACOUSTIC METHOD (SEISMIC METHOD)

Seismic Survey involve generating sound waves which propagate

Seismic surveying is used in

PRINCIPLES OF SEISMIC SURVEY

Sound waves are generated at the surface (onshore) or under water

Well engineering is aimed at minimizing the value of this investment by

Successful drilling engineering requires the integration of many disciplines

RIG TYPES AND RIG SELECTION

The type of rig which will be selected depends upon a number of

cost and availability

Jackup Drilling over existing template structure

Deck Mounted Drilling Rig

Sets of casing is installed into the

Conductor Casing 70m

The annulus space between the

The method of installation and