Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Co. (SNEPCo) finished a remotely controlled well completion operation in the Gulf of Guinea.
Optime Subsea, which supplied the operation’s remotely operated controls system (ROCS), announced the operation at the Bonga Field in 1,060 m water depth offshore Nigeria on Feb. 27. Optime Subsea has performed multiple ROCS operations in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico and said this is the first such operation in African waters.
SNEPCo took delivery of the first ROCS from Optime Subsea in 2023 and has been working with the Norwegian company to integrate it into its operations.
The ROCS eliminates the need for both the umbilical, which traditionally connects the surface to the seabed for controlling the tubing hanger in subsea well completions, and the topside hydraulic control unit. This system can cut costs and reduce the amount of deck space required for these operations.
Operators using a ROCS can cut approximately 50 tonnes of equipment from their offshore transportation list, according to Optime Subsea. It also means reduced operating time and less HSE exposure on the drill floor, the company said.
When completing subsea wells, the tubing hanger is placed on top of the wellhead, as a seal towards the rest of the subsea well.
Normally the tubing hanger is controlled through a dedicated hydraulic umbilical, which adds a 20-ft to 30-ft control container. When running the umbilical, it is also clamped to the tubing for increased stability.
ROCS replaces these operations by remotely controlling a controls unit toward the wellhead.
ROCS is mobilized in a single basket, prepared and made up onshore, allowing it to be ready to run immediately when offshore, from a rig. The ROCS can be applied to any type of subsea well, Optime Subsea said.
The performance of the ROCS “means that we can perform well completion operations quicker, at lower cost, and with substantially lower CO2-footprint compared to conventional systems,” Justus Ngerebara, SNEPCo lead well engineer, said in a release.
The operation on Bonga 78 was led by Optime Subsea’s operation in Nigeria, supported by personnel from the company’s headquarter in Norway.
In January, Optime Subsea announced it would deliver ROCS for Equinor’s deepwater Rosebank Field in the U.K. North Sea, with operations slated for June 2025.
Recommended Reading
Exxon Mobil Green-lights $12.7B Whiptail Project Offshore Guyana
2024-04-12 - Exxon Mobil’s sixth development in the Stabroek Block will add 250,000 bbl/d capacity when it starts production in 2027.
Seatrium Awarded Contract for FPSO Bound for Guyana’s Stabroek
2024-05-17 - The topsides fabrication and integration contract will be for the FPSO Jaguar, bound for the Whiptail Field in the Stabroek block offshore Guyana for Exxon Mobil.
Exxon Versus Chevron: The Fight for Hess’ 30% Guyana Interest
2024-03-04 - Chevron's plan to buy Hess Corp. and assume a 30% foothold in Guyana has been complicated by Exxon Mobil and CNOOC's claims that they have the right of first refusal for the interest.
Deepwater Roundup 2024: Americas
2024-04-23 - The final part of Hart Energy E&P’s Deepwater Roundup focuses on projects coming online in the Americas from 2023 until the end of the decade.
Pitts: Heavyweight Battle Brewing Between US Supermajors in South America
2024-04-09 - Exxon Mobil took the first swing in defense of its right of first refusal for Hess' interest in Guyana's Stabroek Block, but Chevron isn't backing down.