Greenfield Production Development: A Comprehensive Process Review to Reduce Schedule Since Discovery to First Oil

Abstract

Abstract This article describes a framework to a Petrobras approach to greenfield development based on a set of strategies, process review and solutions to reduce the time between a new discovery and its first oil, presenting gains and challenges to implementation. The methodology presented in this study encompasses: Definition of a target to a greenfield development; A comprehensive processes review with information flows mapping, critical paths of activities, interdependencies, and main schedule offenders identified from pre-discovery to first oil production; Structuring a set of solutions, initiatives, and levers for time gains in an integrated manner among all stakeholders, including paradigm shifts and change management applied to the company portfolio; and a program management office. The achieved results were a set of approximately 70 initiatives with assumptions, new processes, and strategies considering technical and business disciplines to be applied in production development projects from discovery to first oil. This comprehensive process review concludes that there are alternatives for reductions in greenfield project schedules that could potentially reduce about 30% of the time to first oil when the assumptions of the solutions are met, and the optimistic scenario is revealed in the discovery and appraisal. However, we highlight the necessity of risk and return evaluation for each solution, as well as the need for changing the company's standards, norms, and organizational culture.