Using Unmanned Principles and Integrated Operations to Enable Operational Efficiency and Reduce Capex and OPEX Costs

Abstract

Abstract It can be demonstrated that unmanned operations, have the potential to operate at circa 25% of the cost of permanently manned installations (of similar throughput) and at 99% availability, with an impeccable incident and safety record, for the same or reduced CAPEX. This can only be achieved by the application of remote control and Integrated Operations (IO). Whilst Integrated Operations (IO) and digital oilfield (DOF) have seen major performance improvement initiatives over last decade (Ref 1 and 2), there is still a reluctance to fully embrace the technology. Whilst there has been success in applying to brownfield operations, the application to new Greenfield's has made less of an impact, mainly through lack of understanding of what is possible & what the value created is. This paper will detail the areas where IO can drive decisions and influence stakeholders within the following project phases: Concept selectionFEED & detailed designProject executionQuality ControlOperational readiness and start-up It will make the case for the inclusion of IO in the concept phase, to enable new radical operational concepts based on minimum manned, remotely controlled and managed operations. Recent experience with IO and new approaches to minimum manned operations are discussed. The application of unmanned principles tends to drive less systems and equipment and results in less weight, less equipment, less accommodation, higher personnel safety and reduced CAPEX and OPEX. Why this has not been done routinely in the Oil and Gas industry will be highlighted.