Robust Technology Implementation Process Applied To A First Deepwater Electrical Heating Ready System

The development and implementation of new technology within the execution schedule and finance model of a deepwater subsea project requires attention to design detail, and a culture of meticulous qualification and verification practice. Challenges faced by project leadership and project teams occur in the merging of new technology product(s) into the timeline allocated for delivering the more conventional parts of a subsea system in the deepwater environment. The achievement of project delivery and production startup on time and on budget coupled with a unified and demonstrable success rating for using such technology are of increasing importance for venture teams, partners, and shareholders. This paper addresses one process methodology adopted by Shell EP Projects to support guaranteed delivery of technology products to customers, namely Shell Exploration and Production Company (SEPCo) and BP Exploration & Production Inc. (BP) for the Nakika Project. Novel subsea technology has been applied strategically as an enabler to develop aspects of the Na Kika Project in the Gulf of Mexico in water depths between 5800 ft to 7000 ft. See Figure 1 showing the Na Kika North area subsea architecture. This process is applied to the Nakika Electrical Heating Ready System, comprising principally of the Electrical Heating Pipein-Pipe (EHPIP) system and the ready-to-deploy modular Electrical Heating Ready Intervention System (EHRIS) . The Shell EP Projects Subsea and Pipelines Group comprise a broad matrix of systems; products; pipelines; and well completion engineers, and a project leadership skill base. This engineering and project execution workforce are dedicated to regional and international deepwater and ultra deep water ventures using existing and new technology. The work is completed in close collaboration with technical skills in the Shell EP Projects Civil and Marine Group and Shell Global Solutions. The strength of technology product ownership and interaction across the Group collectively delivers robust solutions. The foundation of this collaborative effort and the process adopted serves to encourage continued technology implementation by customers in deepwater and ultra deep projects. Figure 2 outlines the broad division of work. In reviewing the application of this process, the paper describes the components of the Electrical Heating Ready System to evidence the success with which a systemic qualification and verification culture have contributed to project delivery.