David Paganie, Senior Editor
INTECEngineering has finalized the layout for the subsea portion of the Blind Faith development after nearly two years of conducting feasibility studies, conceptual engineering and front-end design work.
Currently, the company is performing subsea engineering work under the “execution” phase of the $900 million Chevron-operated Blind Faith project, located across portions of Mississippi Canyon blocks 695 and 696 in approximately 7,000 ft of water.
During this phase, which began in October 2005, the company is drawing on its global experience and advanced technical capabilities to assist Chevron in addressing three critical field development issues: high-pressure, high-temperature, and ultra deepwater, according to Ron Ledbetter, INTEC project manager. To mitigate potential catastrophes generated by these extreme reservoir characteristics, the engineering company is designing subsea equipment to withstand pressures up to 15,000 psi and temperatures near 300° F.
The Bind Faith project calls for development through subsea wells tied back to a deep-draft semisubmersible-type host floating production facility, which will be delivered by Aker Kvaerner. The hub facility will be installed in Mississippi Canyon block 650 in 6,500 ft of water. Aker Marine Contractors has nominated its chartered construction vesselBoa Sub C to undertake transportation and installation of the semi and associated moorings, beginning in September 2007.
According to Chevron, first production at Blind Faith is anticipated in the first half of 2008 through three subsea production wells, at an initial rate of 30,000 b/d and 30 MMcf/d. The semi’s topsides will be equipped with capacity for 45,000 b/d of oil and 45 MMcf/d of natural gas, with the option to upgrade to 60,000 b/d and 150 MMcf/d to handle production from satellite discoveries or third-party tiebacks. According to INTEC, the subsea scheme designed for the initial start-up wells has spare capacity for an additional two wells plus optional gas-lift.
The INTEC-designed subsea layout includes dual 7-in. diameter flowlines measuring 4.5 mi in length, which will transport commingled flow from PLETs (pipeline end terminations) connected to a cluster arrangement consisting of the initial three production wells and a single four-slot subsea manifold. FMC picked up the $39 million contract from Chevron for supply of three subsea trees, production control systems and associated equipment.
A single steel tube umbilical measuring 5.9 mi in length will run alongside the production flowlines from the subsea infrastructure to the floating hub. Aker Kvaerner will deliver the umbilical from its Mobile, Alabama facility.
INTEC Engineering issued this illustration depicting the layout of the subsea portion of the Chevron-operated Blind Faith development.
Subsea 7 secured the $28 million contract from Chevron to install the subsea infrastructure including pre-layed steel catenary risers (SCRs). The contractor will mobilize its newbuild pipelay vessel, which is currently under construction in the Netherlands, for the installation program beginning in mid to late 2007.
INTEC is also assisting Chevron with bid review and contract awards, in addition to its subsea engineering commitments on the project. The company adds that additional subsea contracts will tendered this year.
The engineering company previously completed project feasibility work in March 2004, followed by conceptual engineering in May 2005 and front-end engineering design in January 2005.
The Blind Faith discovery well was drilled by BP with Diamond Offshore’s semisubmersible rigOcean Confidencein June 2001. The well encountered more than 200 ft of net pay in Miocene sands at depths of 20,900-24,300 ft. To determine the reservoir’s full commercial potential, a successful appraisal well was drilled and sidetracked in 2004. The field has an estimated gross resource potential exceeding 100 MMboe. Chevron is operator of the field with a 62.5% interest; partner Kerr-McGee holds the remaining 37.5% interest.•
