Amidst global push towards sustainable future, efforts to drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions towards net zero across all upstream assets and new developments are expected to intensify. This task has proven to be far more challenging for existing, aging offshore facilities both technically and commercially. This paper will share various fit-for-purpose options identified through rigorous front-end loading (FEL) processes which can be implemented on existing, aging facilities to accelerate and realize sustainable GHG emissions reduction efforts across all business value chain. Essence of decarbonization is in the reduction of major hydrocarbon emissions. Apart from carbon tax inclusion, proactive directives in zero continuous hydrocarbon venting and flaring in upstream facilities while maximizing renewable energy applications has already set the momentum. Existing, aging facilities are in dire need of similar sustainable carbon abatement strategies. Supported with introduction of a basic yardstick for techno-commercial assessment, up to 8 concepts were explored through feasibility study at FEL assessing the extent of brownfield modification, emissions reduction efficiency and associated costs for carbon abatement at legacy facilities. Concepts range from cost-efficient facilities conversions to CAPEX-intensive gas injection and sequestration solutions. Options with monetization potential such as gas export, floating compressed natural gas (FCNG), condensate recovery system (CRS) and gas liquefaction are within consideration as well. Value improvement beyond facilities design life is influenced by sustainability of solutions introduced. Legacy facilities commonly adopt conventional process design that lean towards venting and flaring, with generally limited flexibility in design improvement. Efforts in emissions reduction is therefore deemed most suitably carried out in both a short- and long-term manner, which is replicable regardless of a facility's age. Short term solution of converting existing vent stacks into flare stacks is projected to be able to significantly reduce GHG emissions up to 70% in the span of 3 years. For monetization opportunities such as pipeline export, FCNG, CRS and liquefaction, area development strategy is recommended to establish economy of scale. Leading towards net zero goals, long-term efforts through gas injection and sequestration will be more sustainable as they demonstrate potential of up to 95% GHG emissions reduction within field life. Carbon abatement strategies for existing facilities can be formulated through a weighted-scoring process, guided with a basic yardstick for high level assessment. Ability to synergize carbon abatement with capital projects innovatively to achieve positive economic returns while transitioning into a global environment of sustainability is crucial. Decarbonization efforts especially for existing, aging upstream facilities requires firstly, a strong managerial aspiration in the sustainability agenda; Secondly, expertise of operations to balance life cycle costs against carbon abatement investments. Strategies outlined in this paper share insights on how decarbonization efforts can be streamlined for effective execution towards net zero carbon emissions targets.

The COP26 climate summit came to a close with renewed global commitments and focused efforts on reducing carbon emissions, aimed to close the gap to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The 1.5°C limit has been projected by scientists as the line in the sand, beyond which the global warming effects would be catastrophic. It is therefore critical, that a comprehensive and integrated strategy is implemented to ensure effective carbon reduction solutions are applied for a sustainable future. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), if well planned and implemented effectively, has the potential to help reduce the amount of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. When lining out plan for CCS, the analysis covers the following factors: the source and gathering, the capture technology, transportation method and sequestration site selection. This paper proposes a structured process in examining the above and more importantly focusing on clustering of sequestration site to derive an impactful CCS strategy. This cluster-based strategy will enable monetization of high CO2 fields via a more sustainable development. Systematic screening and selection process ensures the best technologies and development concept were selected during this study. As CO2 sequestration is non-revenue generating, clustering several sequestration developments will allow for CAPEX and OPEX sharing between fields.

Amidst global push towards sustainable future, efforts to drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions towards net zero across all upstream assets and new developments are expected to intensify. This task has proven to be far more challenging for existing, aging offshore facilities both technically and commercially. This paper will share various fit-for-purpose options identified through rigorous front-end loading (FEL) processes which can be implemented on existing, aging facilities to accelerate and realize sustainable GHG emissions reduction efforts across all business value chain. Essence of decarbonization is in the reduction of major hydrocarbon emissions. Apart from carbon tax inclusion, proactive directives in zero continuous hydrocarbon venting and flaring in upstream facilities while maximizing renewable energy applications has already set the momentum. Existing, aging facilities are in dire need of similar sustainable carbon abatement strategies. Supported with introduction of a basic yardstick for techno-commercial assessment, up to 8 concepts were explored through feasibility study at FEL assessing the extent of brownfield modification, emissions reduction efficiency and associated costs for carbon abatement at legacy facilities. Concepts range from cost-efficient facilities conversions to CAPEX-intensive gas injection and sequestration solutions. Options with monetization potential such as gas export, floating compressed natural gas (FCNG), condensate recovery system (CRS) and gas liquefaction are within consideration as well. Value improvement beyond facilities design life is influenced by sustainability of solutions introduced. Legacy facilities commonly adopt conventional process design that lean towards venting and flaring, with generally limited flexibility in design improvement. Efforts in emissions reduction is therefore deemed most suitably carried out in both a short- and long-term manner, which is replicable regardless of a facility's age. Short term solution of converting existing vent stacks into flare stacks is projected to be able to significantly reduce GHG emissions up to 70% in the span of 3 years. For monetization opportunities such as pipeline export, CNG, CRS and liquefaction, area development strategy is recommended to establish economy of scale. Leading towards net zero goals, long-term efforts through gas injection and sequestration will be more sustainable as they demonstrate potential of up to 95% GHG emissions reduction within field life. Carbon abatement strategies for existing facilities can be formulated through a weighted-scoring process, guided with a basic yardstick for high level assessment. Ability to synergize carbon abatement with capital projects innovatively to achieve positive economic returns while transitioning into a global environment of sustainability is crucial. Decarbonization efforts especially for existing, aging upstream facilities requires firstly, a strong managerial aspiration in the sustainability agenda; Secondly, expertise of operations to balance life cycle costs against carbon abatement investments. Strategies outlined in this paper share insights on how decarbonization efforts can be streamlined for effective execution towards net zero carbon emissions targets.

Amidst global push towards sustainable energy, efforts to drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions towards net zero across all upstream assets and new developments are expected to intensify. This task has proven to be far more challenging for existing, aging offshore facilities both technically and commercially. This paper will share various fit-for-purpose options identified through rigorous front-end loading (FEL) processes which can be implemented on existing, aging facilities to accelerate and realize sustainable GHG emission reduction efforts across all business value chain. Now an indispensable part of social and environmental responsibility, essence of decarbonization is in the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbon emissions. Apart from carbon tax inclusion in decision making, proactive directives in zero continuous hydrocarbon venting and flaring in upstream facilities while maximizing renewable energy applications has already set the momentum. Beyond that, lies the task of developing sustainable carbon abatement strategies for existing, aging facilities. Up to eight (8) concepts were explored through feasibility study assessing the extent of brownfield modification, emissions reduction, and associated costs. Concepts range from cost-efficient vent to flare conversions to CAPEX-intensive gas injection and sequestration solutions. Options with monetization potential such as floating compressed natural gas (FCNG), condensate recovery system (CRS) and gas liquefaction are within consideration as well. Value improvement beyond facilities design life is influenced by the sustainability of solutions introduced. There are 25 tons of CO2e in every part of methane (CH4) released in vent gas, which is a common design for offshore facilities aged more than 30 years. Efforts in emissions reduction is therefore deemed most suitably carried out in both a short- and long-term manner, which is replicable regardless of a facility's age. Short term, fit-for-purpose solution of converting existing vent stacks into flare stacks with cyclone separator-caisson system is projected to be able to significantly reduce GHG emissions up to 70% in the span of 3 years. Leading towards net zero, mid and long-term efforts through gas injection and sequestration including monetization strategies will be more sustainable as they demonstrate potential of up to 95% GHG emissions reduction within field life. For monetization opportunities such as pipeline export, FCNG, CRS and gas liquefaction, area development strategy is recommended to establish economy of scale. Ability to synergize carbon abatement with capital projects innovatively to achieve positive economic returns while transitioning into a global environment of sustainability is crucial. Decarbonization efforts especially for existing, aging upstream facilities requires firstly, a strong managerial aspiration in the sustainability agenda; Secondly, expertise of operations to balance life cycle costs against carbon abatement investments. Strategies outlined in this paper share insights on how decarbonization efforts can be streamlined for effective execution towards net zero carbon emissions target.

Value is defined by a quantum of functions or returns received from resources invested. It is challenging for extremely marginal oil and gas fields where returns hardly meet invested resources profitably. Stranded, widely scattered resources add to the complication. This paper shares a complete revamp in notional wells and facilities development concept generation for such fields by going back-to-basics and shifting mindset towards designing to value to rigorously improve project viability. Conventionally, wells and facilities design are to economically match recoverable resource volumes. This strategy is largely unsuccessful when it comes to marginal-untapped-scattered-shallow oil resource of less than 5MMboe. A case study was initially designed to have multiple drill centers with a handful of pipeline tiebacks, requiring a large wellhead platform (WHP). This led to a highly unfavorable economic outcome. Going back-to-basics, coupled with Design-to-Value (D2V) approach, has proven to be effective as it is a systematic way to develop an optimum concept for maximum value realization. This agile approach questions every aspect of concept development to achieve minimum technical requirements while providing better clarity in cost-risk trade-offs through concept evaluation in a step-up, staircase manner. For wells, adopting back-to-basics cum D2V approach means initiating development via a vertical-well-only concept, with well placement that gives the highest well deliverability. It starts with 1 vertical well at the selected reservoir layer with the highest recovery potential before further well addition. For facilities, this approach means challenging the absolute minimum of lightweight structure (LWS) design by identifying topside's minimal functional requirements. For the case study, evaluation starts with 1 well, 1 LWS and 2 pipelines. The incremental impact from stepwise addition of wells with or without adding another LWS and/or pipeline is subsequently assessed. From all iterations, a value curve is then plotted to ascertain the concept that delivers maximum value. As a result, its development concept was revised from having 12 costly deviated wells at 1 WHP to 5 individual, low-cost vertical wells from multiple LWS. With that, up to 80% hydrocarbon volume originally to be recovered remains achievable while attaining a 50% improvement in Unit Technical Cost. This approach demonstrates great improvement in project economic viability. Back-to-basics cum D2V approach is therefore recommended in development strategy formulation for marginal-untapped-scattered-shallow oil resources as it managed to establish a minimum business case for further optimization and value improvement. Aggressive value engineering efforts such as D2V are key to successfully unlock stranded, marginal fields. Readiness to deviate from technical design norms is also important. Trade-offs are expected to be made in realizing projects in these trying times. That said, resource owners can still strive to balance technical safety design requirements against economic targets by adopting suitable concept generation and design approaches.