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Drilling

TAP-606-Hybrid Well Riser Risk of Failure and Prevention

The objective of this study was to examine the cause and probability of potential riser failures from operations through existing single and dual production risers with a surface BOP.

Task 1: A literature and industry survey to assess the operational frequency of use of surface BOPs for workover operations from floating production systems through existing single and dual Top Tensioned Riser (TTR) systems.

TAP-584-Arctic Offshore Technology Assessment of Exploration and Production Options for Cold Regions of the US Outer Continental Shelf

A number of cold region offshore developments have been carried out or are planned worldwide, including Sakhalin Island (Russia), Kashagan (Caspian), Shtokman (Barents Sea) as well as in the Beaufort Sea (Northstar, PanArctic Drake). An understanding of these analogue projects, as well as those already operational or planned for the United States (e.g., Northstar and Oooguruk), will provide insight and guidance into potential exploration and development technologies that might be applied to cold regions of the Outer Continental Shelf.

TAP-583-Characterizing Material Performance for Design of Sour Service HPHT Equipment in Accordance with API RP 6HP Practices

This project is a material testing program to enable operators to safely produce oil and gas from high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) and sour HPHT reservoirs. Completion of the testing program will support more widespread development of HPHT and sour HPHT reserves by providing designers with some of the material property data necessary to perform design verification analyses in accordance with American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 6HP (API RP 6HP).

TAP-582-A Probabilistic Approach to Risk Assessment of Managed Pressure Drilling in Offshore Drilling Applications

Based on studies sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Minerals Management Service (MMS) prior to 2008, between 25% to 33% of remaining undeveloped reservoirs were unfavorable using conventional overbalanced drilling methods due in large to the increased likelihood of well control problems such as differential sticking, lost circulation, kicks, and blowouts. The challenge before industry was to develop an efficient method to drill and develop these reservoirs in a manner that is no less safe than current drilling methods.

TAP-574-No MODUs Adrift

Mooring failures during hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita caused a number of MODU's to go adrift. Drifting MODU's can potentially damage other critical elements of the offshore oil and gas infrastructure. This infrastructure is a matter of national significance due to the importance of deepwater production on US oil and gas supply. The objectives of this project are to develop technical solutions to:

Prevent a MODU from going adrift during a hurricane.
Mitigate the drift of a totally or partially unmoored MODU.

TAP-566-Assessment of the Acceptability and safety of Using Equipment, Particularly BOP and Wellhead Components at Pressures in Excess of the Rated Working Pressure

Specific information was collected on Blowout Preventers (BOP) and Well Head Components exposed to pressures greater than the Manufacturer Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) on platforms in the Gulf of Mexico Region.

Objectives:

organize a Joint Industry Project and contact API working groups on the same issues;
review API and ISO standards for maximum BOP test pressures;
propose safety standards for equipment working above the MAWP; limitations/ applications.

TAP-548-Examination and Review of Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) Loss of Station-keeping Ability During Hurricane Ivan and Assessment of Current Mooring Standards and Criteria to Prevent Similar Failures

The project examined the Loss of MODU Station-keeping in the Gulf of Mexico during Hurricane Ivan, September 2004, comparing those findings with that of recent Hurricanes Andrew (1992) and Lili (2002), and assessed the current mooring standards and criteria to prevent similar failures.

Objectives:

The project's objectives are summarized below:

TAP-541-Application of Dual Gradient Technology to Top Hole Drilling

This engineering study on the use of dual gradient drilling for top-hole applications will potentially improve safety in handling some of the shallow below seafloor drilling hazards encountered in the Gulf of Mexico. These hazards include, but are not limited to, methane hydrates, shallow gas, and shallow water flows. This technology could also minimize the environmental impact of the current 'pump and dump' practice while drilling conductor and surface holes.

Project Description

TAP-521-Riser VIV Workshop

Workshop will be conducted to address the need for an industry-wide dialogue on riser VIV, with the following major objectives;

Current state-of-the-art in riser VIV modeling; Existing experimental data; Existing field experience with deepwater risers, and Recently completed and ongoing studies related to riser VIV; To provide a forum for identifying and discussing uncertainties and technical needs in riser VIV; Identify studies that can provide a path forward to fill the identified gaps, and Identify new ways to collaborate in sharing knowledge and data.

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