STEPHENS, ROBIN, Fugro GEOS Limited, Swindon, UK

Abstract: Oceanographic Challenges in Deep Water Engineering

This paper considers the interplay between offshore engineering and oceanographic science in relation to deep water hydrocarbon exploration and production.

With the evolution of floating production systems, there is an increasing move towards exploration and production in deep water continental slope environments, often in remote areas of the world where there is poor understanding of the physical oceanography. At present, there is significant activity in water depths of 300 to 2000 metres, with increasing interest in working even deeper. In such depths, it is very important to understand the environmental loadings on the surface production system (winds, waves and currents) and also the current-induced drag on subsea risers and anchor lines which span the full water column.

Examples are cited of oceanographic studies in support of deep water engineering in the Falkland Islands, offshore Trinidad,West Africa, the Andaman Sea and Vietnam. In each case, there are different oceanographic processes acting. In some examples, it is possible to quantify the dynamic processes accurately. In others, there remains much uncertainty and unpredictability which must be accomodated in the engineering solution.

The theme of the paper is that it is very important from an engineering standpoint to understand the principal oceanographic processes acting in a particular area; similarly, it is very important that oceanographers understand the engineering requirements for oceanographic information.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90923@1999 International Conference and Exhibition, Birmingham, England