In order to avoid mistakes and to save a great deal of time in analysis, an innovative methodology was developed that can analyze the well operations and rig characteristics involved to define the best emergency disconnect sequence (EDS) available. A solution was developed based on the characteristics of the rigs and blowout preventers (BOPs), and six variables were considered that directly affect the choice of EDS. All possible combinations of 64 scenarios were analyzed, and the priority of choice of the EDS was defined empirically. This paper presents an approach to EDS risk management and examples of exposure time (time without riser safety margin and shear capability) for the same well, which can be lowered from 13% to 0.1%. The impact of this reduction is related to the ability of the BOP to cut some of the heavy casings, in addition to improved availability of EDS modes. This implementation opened up many possibilities for the performance of risk exposure analysis, enabling comparison of several BOP configurations of contracted rigs and selection of the best options. This innovative approach allowed a better management of the rig schedules, prioritizing safety aspects and making it possible to allocate the fleet in a systematic way.

By describing the whole ship structure in its primary, secondary and tertiary components and by incorporating FEM structural analysis to a ship-like structure optimization, it was observed a significant capability of reducing the weight of ship structure, in an amount impossible to be reached by an usual design process, since, by nonlinear programming in a fast computer, the “best design” can be “selected” among thousands of different and feasible ones.

The act of planning a well is a collaborative effort taking disparate data from various groups and synthesizing it into one overarching program. Each operator follows its own well design process, but common to each operator is the fact that wells not designed wholly in series, but rather have many parallel sections, with a set of decision gates and countless data interdependencies. The goal of this paper is to detail the successful development and implementation of an integrated planning platform within a National Oil Company. The individual components of well design process are not performed in a vacuum. The various inputs / outputs from one application affect the inputs/ outputs of applications both upstream and downstream of it, along the design process. This is addressed by facilitating integration and analysis of data input / output from each component of the planning process, synthesizing it, and performing automated system-integrity and overall conformity checks between the interdependent components. Any changes to an individual design component that affect other areas must be flagged, notifying the appropriate parties. Defining and automating workflows, mapping data interdependencies within the workflows, and creating a system of data governance are also keys to building an efficient planning platform. Similar to a navigation program which is able to determine an optimal driving route by considering various dynamic and static data points, the implemented platform uses a data-adaptive approach to well planning. Using this method, it takes unstructured data processes, decision trees, data integration protocols, and automates them while also permitting users to collaborate on well planning and design, allowing the standardization of processes. Operators are able to embed their particular methods of well design into the software platform and thus ensure that all of their company meet the specific requirements. Key to the effectiveness and longevity of this type of platform is a neutral data repository. Allowing data to be free of any singular data protocol ensures that although individual applications may revised, replaced, or put into competition with one another, the format of the data produced as well as ingested by these applications stays constant. Data will remain mapped, both in terms of overall process workflow and interdependencies. This paper is beneficial to any operator wishing to gain insight in developing a forward thinking of a digital strategy for well planning and design. However, the use of these types of methods and development of a similarly integrated platform an operator can standardize processes, enforce and ensure data governance, as well as gain efficiency in overall planning time.

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