Shell’s bold move in the GOM is indicative of an industry-wide move away from traditional moored platforms linked to mature pipeline infrastructure in favour of FPSOs, especially for the increasing number of ultra-deepwater projects, where wells are drilled in water at least 1.5km (4,500ft) deep. Depth of knowledge: the challenges of ultra-deepwater drilling Reuters reports that the multinational also plans to use the project to trial a new generation of super-efficient sea floor pumping technology. Shell will subsequently add six additional wells with multiphase pumping, and all eight wells connected to the FPSO through a single drill centre. Stones’ phased development will start with two subsea production wells tied back to the FPSO and host facility. “Shell’s calculated gamble is set to pay off to the tune of 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day.” “We kind of roll all of them together and decide on the right development concept.” “Topography comes into play, and water depth,” John Hollowell, executive vice-president for Deepwater, Shell Upstream Americas, told Reuters in an interview. Shuttle tankers will transport crude oil from the Turritella to refineries on the US mainland. Stones will be the first time a turret and disconnectable buoy is configured with SLWRs in order to unlock oil production in ultra-deep waters.įrench company Technip is in charge of installation of the subsea production system and lateral gas pipeline. Pioneered by Shell, SLWRs offer extra buoyancy thanks to an arch bend that absorbs the motion of the FPSO and boosts riser performance at extreme depths. The Turritella will also incorporate a special type of flexible pipe, known as a steel lazy wave riser (SLWR), which carries oil and gas to the FPSO for processing and transport. The FPSO will be moored using a lightweight combination of polyester rope and chain, the tension of which can also be adjusted during operations by use of an in-line mooring connector (ILMC). Converted from a Suezmax FPSO, the Turritella’s design incorporates a turret with a disconnectable buoy (buoyant turret mooring or BTM), allowing the vessel to weathervane in normal conditions, and disconnect its mooring lines and risers from the well system during heavy storms or hurricanes.
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