The JIP improved the knowledge in gas kick behavior along the entire well in deepwater situations. The project used an experimental well to simulate the deepwater environment. Petrobras used the well to simulate various drilling scenarios to define appropriate well control procedures.
The project reviewed 4 American Petroleum Institutes' (API) Recommended Practices (RP) and IADC's Deepwater Guidelines and compared them against MMS requirements. West also surveyed 20 recent rig assessments to determine compliance with the standards and/or regulations.
The 4 RP's are:
53 -- BOP Systems for Drilling Wells 16E -- Design of Control Systems for Drilling Well Control Equipment 64 -- Diverter System Equipment and Operations 16Q -- Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems
A joint industry project (JIP) was formed between the MMS and 23 different oil companies to conduct this research. The project consisted of an experimental release of oil and gas conducted in June 2000 off the coast of Norway. Mixtures of crude oil and natural gas, diesel oil and natural gas, as well as only natural gas were released at approximately 800 meters water depth. The goal was to simulate a blowout or pipeline rupture in deep water and obtain data to verify the predictions of a deep water blowout model being developed under a separate contract.
To determine the technology of removing large platforms located in deep water. Large California platforms will be used to determine the methods of removal including economic and environmental issues. The report is available.
The primary goal of this research project is to ensure the availability of a validated software tool that can be used to predict the response of polyester ropes under a variety of loading conditions. Such a tool is needed to interpret and extend test data and to develop design guidelines. Laboratory testing of large and full-scale ropes, while essential for gauging performance, is expensive and time consuming. Development of a reliable computer model has the potential to significantly reduce the costs and time needed for experimental testing.
The goal of this project is to establish a comprehensive research program on deep water anchors with applications to drilling and production operations. The work has three objectives;
1) Determine currently available, best practices for analysis and design of suction cassion anchors (SCAs) and vertically loaded anchors (VLAs), including drag embedment anchors (DEAs) and suction embedded plate anchors (SEPLAs);
2) Characterize deep water environments and site investigations strategies;
This project will develop a methodology and tools that will allow the MMS to readily compare the risks of offshore systems that introduce new technologies with the risks of existing systems. The permitting process for a deep water offshore project requires operators to complete a Deep Water Operating Plan (DWOP). A portion of the DWOP describes the new technologies incorporated in the project, and the operator is required to show that the proposed system with the new technologies is at least as reliable as existing systems.
To evaluate the durability of fiber ropes used in deepwater development.
The objective of this JIP was to develop and demonstrate a structured probabilistic procedure for assessing the lifetime risk and reliability of sub-sea production systems. System costs will be evaluated with respect to safety, environmental, and operational matters (OPEX, CAPEX, RISKEX, etc.).
The purpose of this agreement between the MMS and OTRC/Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is to conduct research and assessment studies to promote the development of deep water oil and gas resources in a safe and environmentally sound manner and to facilitate the development of technologies for the efficient and pollution free development of deep water oil and gas resources. The mission of the OTRC is to develop knowledge through an academic and research program focused on problems related to the economical exploration and development of deep water resources.
