Field Development Expansion of a Giant Oil Field in Abu Dhabi Using Artificial Islands as Drilling and Production Centers

摘要

The current development plan for the subject field is based on drilling from numerous Well Head Platform Towers (WHPTs).The current production buildup target would require many more new WHPTs and hundreds of kilometers of new pipelines connecting the new and current towers to the field central processing complex and its satellites.An alternative field development strategy based on a few drilling/production centers (artificial islands and/or large platforms),instead of numerous new WHPTs,will enable:· Significant CAPEX reduction· Cover current or future variations of the subsurface plan· Mitigation of Jack-Up rig availability & cost uncertainties· Flexibility to capture up-side potentials during field life cycle· Provisions for cost-effective/phased facilities installations· Enhanced field operability,at much lower OPEX· Reduced downtime losses Islands as drilling/production centers,with land-based rigs further enable:· Maximum flexibility for further development· Honoring current reservoir management guidelines,· Low risk (conservative) extended reach drilling.^