Case Study

Conoco Phillips Barossa Concept and FEED

Conoco Phillips Barossa Concept and FEED

Pre-FEED and FEED studies for the Conoco Phillips Barossa SURF located approximately 300km offshore of Darwin, Australia. The development is premised on an infield gas gathering system tied back to a gas FPSO in 250m water depth with dry gas export the Darwin LNG plant.

The Challenge

  • Aggressive schedule to meet tendering deadlines set to take advantage of favourable market conditions whilst managing significant change due to out-of-sequence arrival of data. Concept screening was required within 12 weeks.
  • Design of HPHT infield flowlines gathering system (3 drill centres) subject to buckling and walking (SAFEBUCK design) such that installation via S-lay and Reel-lay is feasible for a range of material options.
  • Design of risers and overall field layout to provide sufficient flexibility for FPSO design completion (two designs).

Our Approach

To derive a single robust development concept in 12 weeks, a structured process was used (e.g. pre-framing to identify success factors and drivers, identification of analogues, integrated production modelling) to identify all options that addressed the key development decisions. Then, through a series of workshops, commercial and non-economic screening processes backed up by an appropriate level of technical definition, concept development options were reduced. Proprietary Intecsea SelectOr software enabled costing of approximately 30 shortlisted options which were rationalised into 10 layout themes which were ranked according to factors including cost, deliverability, safety, risk, environmental, flexibility and ultimately one single concept selected for FEED.

Provision of an integrated team (pipelines, flow assurance, risers, safety, materials, fracture mechanics and structures) including the Client SMEs accommodated on site to allow for shorter design turnaround and visibility on progress. This allowed Intecsea to effectively adapt and manage change, completing the Pre-FEED and independently validated FEED documentation on schedule.

The Results

  • Successfully met the tender dates for delivery of documentation preventing delays to the ITT process.
  • Developed a reliable buckle initiation scheme for the infield flowline providing flexibility for multiple pipelay and material options including preliminary ECA to confirm feasibility of fabrication.
  • Delivered a FEED with the flexibility necessary to accommodate a wide range of procurement and installation options including assessment of novel materials.