Overview of BC10 Deepwater Development - An Effective and Efficient Phased Approach

Abstract

The Parque das Conchas BC-10 deepwater development is a combination of several distinct small to mid-size fields that allow for phasing. The fields are off the coast of Brazil in 1800ϩ/-meter water depth. This series of successfully phased projects started with the deployment of the Espirito Santo FPSO, 11 wells and subsea boosting equipment in Phase 1 which came on-stream in July 2009. Phase 2 followed on-stream in October 2013 with an additional 11 wells (including water injection), subsea boosting equipment, and brownfield topsides upgrades on the FPSO. The Phase 3 investment has already added 7 wells and will come on-stream in early 2016 after the subsea and topsides scopes are completed. The success of this phased development is attributed to rigorous standardization, rapidly applied learnings, and strategic deployment of new technologies.Maintaining the cost competitiveness and economic value of each new investment phase was more difficult, given the decreasing size of the fields developed. Leveraging contractual partnerships and using standardization of well design and subsea hardware led to improved quality, competitiveness and delivery schedule (corrected for market factors).Technologies deployed during the project included mudline boosting through Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs) (and later, in Phase 2, multi-vane pump inserts to increase gas handling capacity), transmission of high voltage electrical power through subsea umbilicals, real-time geosteering and permanent reservoir monitoring technology. A 6th generation Bully Class rig was successfully used in Phase 2, and after replication efficiencies, coupled with focused improvements to the drilling scheme, the rig and crew performed flawlessly for the Phase 3 wells, delivering the scope several months ahead of schedule.Another challenge was committing to pre-investment for the later phases. For example, water injection facilities were pre-installed with the Phase 1 project, for use on Phases 2 and 3. Taking this investment decision early had risk attached, but this has paid off. This paper highlights the advantages of a phased approach, as well as how the learnings can be used in successive phases to improve overall project value.The strategy of a phased approach to the development of BC10 enabled quality business decisions, and optimized the ullage utilization of the FPSO. Continuity of resources to continuously learn and rapidly apply learnings proved highly successful.