Deepwater and Harsh Environments

11–16 May 2008
Phuket, Thailand

Technical Discipline: Developments and Operations

Demand for energy is driving oil and gas exploration into increasingly challenging environments, including deepwater and ultradeepwater provinces where huge reserves exist. Deepwater production presents a new set of challenges, from selection of production methods, through drilling and completing the well, to intervention and workover philosophy and strategy. This picture is further complicated by the escalating cost and scarcity of suitable rigs.

The principle driver behind deepwater development is how to exploit these huge reserves in a cost-effective manner while maximising hydrocarbon recovery. A variety of system architectures need to be included. Choices such as dry tree; wet tree; tieback to production facilities; and floating production, storage, and offloading vessels (FPSOs) need to be considered. This forum will address the subsurface and production aspects of deepwater and harsh environment frontier developments by reviewing current technology, identifying the technology gaps that remain, and examining potential “game changing” strategies.

Topics to be covered include

Subsea architecture of the future: getting more for less
Well construction: horizontals and multilaterals
Formation evaluation
Sand control: open hole gravel pack, standalone screens, and expandable screens
Completion design in deep water: are we getting smarter?
Advanced materials of the future
Reservoir monitoring: permanent vs. retrievable
Future intervention techniques that drive costs down

This forum will be of particular value to managers and engineers in reservoir, production, drilling, and completion engineering as well as key service suppliers with experience in deepwater development.

Attendees will

Discuss common interests informally with colleagues from around the world.
Share knowledge and experience in an off-the-record format.
Gain new insight and perspective through conversations with others from international companies, service companies, contracting companies, research institutes, and universities.
Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere of learning through one-on-one interaction.