New technology is needed to develop Norwegian trench find
A/S NORSKE SHELL has found super giant reserves of oil and gas in Block 31/2 and adjacent blocks in the Norwegian North Sea. But development of the discovery poses staggering problems--the field lies in more than 1,000 ft of water in an area noted for violent weather. Even though conventional technology will be used wherever possible, Block 31/2 development involves severe technical and financial risk. Because of the areal extent of the reservoir and constraints on directional drilling, both template and satellite wells will be used. The choice between wireline and through flowline (TFL) servicing has not been finalized, but TFL completions seem to offer better flexibility. The choice of control systems is between the reliability inherent in completely hydraulic systems or the quick response time of electro-hydraulic controls. Underwater connections will be made without the aid of divers, possibly by using a surface-controlled sled, patterned after the one developed for the Shell Expro Cormorant UMC system. This two-part series is operator A/S Norske Shell's first official word on development of the field. Part 1 focuses upon fundamental decisions involving well location and subsea equipment. Part 2, which will be published next month, examines deepwater platform technology.
- Research Organization:
- Exploration and Development, A/S Norske Shell
- OSTI ID:
- 5899078
- Journal Information:
- World Oil; (United States), Vol. 196:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Deepwater satellite trees meet Cormorant challenges
Subsea production technology studied for Norwegian block
Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
42 ENGINEERING
NORTH SEA
OFFSHORE DRILLING
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
HYDRAULICS
NORWAY
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
UNDERWATER OPERATIONS
WEATHER
WELL COMPLETION
ATLANTIC OCEAN
DRILLING
EUROPE
FLUID MECHANICS
MECHANICS
SCANDINAVIA
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
WESTERN EUROPE
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing
423000 - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-)