Development of the Global Equipment Inventory and Network for Subsea Well Response

Abstract

The Montara (2009) and Macondo (2010) incidents resulted in step change in safety for the oil & gas industry. Since then many improvements have been implemented to keep the highest standard of safety in drilling operations. Through industry collaboration subsea well response equipment not available at the time of these incidents is now globally accessible. Technology continues to be developed to provide comprehensive response capabilities. A recent area of focus for industry was how to cap an incident well in water depths less than 600 meters where vertical access may not be possible due to hydrocarbons at surface and a possible gas boil in the case of a gas well. An innovative concept was developed, manufactured and tested to deal with a loss of well control event in shallow water. The Offset Installation System (OIS) allows a capping stack to be deployed and installed on a blowing out well in shallow water, deployed and controlled by vessels offset from the incident well. In addition, the OIS can be used for debris clearance, removal of the lower marine riser package (LMRP), and deployment of other subsea response hardware. By virtue of their source control operational function capping stacks are relatively large and heavy pieces of hardware. Despite these physical characteristics, there is expectation by stakeholders and international regulators for capability to transport capping stack equipment across significant distances in an expeditious manner to respond to an incident. For remote areas of the globe, capping stacks air transported as a single unit could provide an effective solution. A key objective in responding to a subsea loss of well control event is the ability to effectively mobilise source control equipment and trained personnel to readily manage an emergency response scenario in a timely manner globally. A number of companies with a range of capabilities will be required to provide a comprehensive response. To further assist, initiatives focused on personnel resources have been developed including a global subsea response network, and continuing industry collaboration for mutual aid of personnel. This paper will provide information on the development of the global subsea response equipment inventory available to industry. Latest developments such as OIS and air freightable capping stacks for transportation to remote areas will be discussed in detail as well as the above-mentioned initiatives for personnel.