Deepwater Technology

August 1999 Supplement Contents This third annual issue of World Oil and Pipe Line & Gas


August 1999 Supplement Contents

This third annual issue of World Oil and Pipe Line & Gas Industry's supplemental report continues to follow industry's technology developments necessary to physically and economically meet the challenges faced in developing ever-deeper waters in the U.S. Gulf, Brazil, Africa and several other world areas. A prevailing theme is the need for operators, the service sector and regulators to work together through JIPs and other consortiums to share R&D costs and rewards. The 11 features listed below cover new developments in drilling, mooring, pipelines, flow assurance, Brazil's deepwater Roncador field and DeepStar's successes, plus the need for FPSOs in the Gulf of Mexico.

— The Editors

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

Progress updates on facilities, regulations, flow assurance
A panel in print: Allen Verret – Consortiums are making deep water possible Michael L. Edwards, Stephan J. Allenson – Flow assurance planning, new chemicals

DeepStar technology achievements
Paul R. Hays, James E. Chitwood
Highlights of seven year's of cooperative R&D, Phase I through Phase IV

SubSea MudLift Drilling JIP: Achieving dual-gradient technology
K. L. Smith, A. D. Gault, D. E. Witt, F. R. Botros, C. Peterman, M. Tangedahl, C. E. Weddle, H. C. Juvkam-Wold, J. J. Shubert
Overview of nine-company group's progress on a key new technology

Equivalent circulation density management in ultra-deep, deepwater GOM wells
John W. Barker
How to achieve better hole conditions in deeper, 20,000-ft wells

New developments in mooring for large floating production units
Peter Dove
Industry status with taut leg/synthetic rope/vertically loaded systems

New buckle arrestor/anode concept could save money
Tom McPherson
Concept for deepwater pipelines combines buckle arrestors and anode

OPERATIONS REVIEW

FPSOs in the U.S. Gulf: A field-tested option
Peter M. Lovie
Industry/MMS are working toward safe application of proven technology

Early production sytem optimizes three-phase Roncador development
A. L. de Garcia, J. R. F. Moreira
How a DP FPSO system is flow testing two wells in 6,000-ft water

Large pressure chamber tests ultra-deepwater pipe samples
Tom Zimmerman, Duane DeGeer
Critical design testing for Black Sea pipeline in 7,000-ft water, and others

Pre-installation planning critical to laying Marlin lines
Michael R. Price, Li Tao, Gary Harrison
Material, stability, line crossing designs for 20-mi oil/gas pipelines

FROM THE ARCHIVE