Module 2

Offshore Field Development

Oil & Gas introduction Course for NonEngineers SEC

1. Crude Oil
Crude oil is a very complex mixture of compounds composed of
(mainly) carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
Of these elements, carbon and hydrogen are by far the major
components. Linked together with inter-atom bonds, these CH
compounds form a dazzling variety of different kinds of molecules of
many different shapes and sizes. Liquids, solids and gas.
Collectively, these carbon-hydrogen compounds are referred to as
"hydrocarbons."

First stage Processing: (Stabilisation)

1. Water separation
2. Associated Gas and solids seperation
3. Desalination (take salt out)
Done at about 20 bars and 50 degree Celsius

Oil & Gas introduction Course for NonEngineers SEC

2. Natural Gas
Natural Gas: Mainly consisting of Methane (CH4).
By-product of Oil production in Vietnam.

Before natural gas can be used as a fuel, it must undergo

extensive processing to remove almost all materials other than
methane.
The by-products of that processing include ethane, propane,
butanes, pentanes and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons,
elemental sulfur, and sometimes helium and nitrogen
Unit of measure:
Nm3 (1 bar and 25 degrees Celsius)
Vietnam: 6.8 billion Nm3 per year
CNG = Compressed Natural Gas (still in gaseous state)

Oil & Gas introduction Course for NonEngineers SEC

3. Field Development
Assumptions resulting from Exploration (Module 1):
1.
2.
3.

We know where the reservoir is located and how deep;

We know how much Oil and/or Gas is in the reservoir;
It is economically feasible to produce the reservoir.

Field development:
What infrastructure do we need to install to bring the crude O&G to the market or
shore in the most economical way?

Main driver for the costs?

CAPEX = Capital Expenses (what does it cost to put the equipment there)
OPEX = Operational Expenses (what does it costs yearly to maintain it)

Oil & Gas introduction Course for NonEngineers SEC

MONTARA Field, Australia

Oil & Gas introduction Course for NonEngineers SEC

4. FEED
FEED: Front End Engineering & Design = A study used to analyze the various
technical options for new developments with the objective to define the facilities
required.
Answers the following questions:
- Method of production;
- Location of Platform/Floating equipment;
- Location Wells;
- Dimension pipelines;
- Capacity and location of processing;
- Budget costs;
- Scenarios.

Pre-FEED = Conceptual design

Oil & Gas introduction Course for NonEngineers SEC

5. Water Depth
- Sub sea Well head or Well head
platform?
- Installation and Drilling costs?

Cuu Long Basin

= 40-60 m
Nam Con Son Basin = 40-110 m
Song Hong Basin
= 30-55 m

Oil & Gas introduction Course for NonEngineers SEC

6. Location
- How far from the shore?
- How far from the closest
Processing facility?
- How far from the closest
pipe line to shore?
- Is it economical to use the
stranded gas?

Oil & Gas introduction Course for NonEngineers SEC

7. Platforms (Jacket, Module)

Top side , Module or Deck

Jacket

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8. Well Head Platform (WHP)

Equipment on WHP:
- Well head;
- Pumps, compressors;
- Generators;
- Valves;
- Filters

Manned or unmanned
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9. Central Processing Platform (CPP)

Where the production of all wells in a

field comes together to be processed
for transport by pipeline or tanker.

Mostly Manned

Equipment on CPP:
- Stabilization; (see Crude oil)
- Separators;
- Pumps, compressors;
- Generators;
- Valves;
- Filters

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10. SLM
SLM = Single Lift Module
Equipment on SLM:
- Pumps, compressors;
- Generators;
- Engines;
- Valves;
- Filters.

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11. Monopod
Mono Pod = Offshore structure founded on one single support
Shallow water
Advantage?

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12. Tripod
Tripod = Offshore structure founded on three piled legs
Shallow water, low weight of topside
Advantage?

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13. Flare
Flare = A structure on a platform to burn off stranded gas
Use restricted due to green house gas
emission.

Flare boom

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14. FPSO
FPSO = Floating Production, Storage and Offloading
Topsides
When is it
used?
Turret
Hull

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15. FSO
FSO = Floating, Storage and Offloading
When is it used?

Hull

Turret

Rang Dong FSO, 350 km South of Vungtau

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16. Turret
A loading point that allows rotation of the FPSO/FSO
Swivel stack

1. Internal turret
2. External turret

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17. Pipelines
Pipe line = A structure installation to transport oil or gas from one
location to another location

Export Pipe line

Trunk line = approx. 16 until 48
Infield pipe line = 6 until 18
Flow line = short distance

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18. Riser
Riser = A pipe or hose to bring the flow of oil or gas to the surface
Flexible riser

Mid Water
Arch

Riser base

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19. Single Point Mooring

SPM or CALM Buoy
When is it used?

CALM = Catenary Anchored

Leg Mooring

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20. LNG
LNG is Liquefied Natural Gas. It is a clear, odorless,
non-toxic and non-corrosive liquid. It is natural gas
cooled to a very low temperature (roughly - 160 C).
In its liquid state, natural gas occupies 600 times
less volume than non-liquefied natural gas.

LNG = Liquefied Natural Gas

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21. LNG Train

A plant to liquefy produced LNG

Processes:
- Receive Natural Gas by
pipeline
- Condensate removal
- CO2 removal
- Mercury and H2S removal
- Refrigeration to -160 C

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22. Terminal
A facility on the shore to receive and process gas or Oil

Processes:
- Offloading
- Processing
- Storage
- Re-gasification

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23. FSRU
FSRU = Floating Storage and Re-gasification Unit

Processes:
- Receiving LNG
- Heating
- Re-gasify
- Offloading to Gas grid

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24. LPG
LPG = Liquefied Petroleum Gas

By product of Oil refining:

60 % Propane [C3H8]
40 % Butane [C4H10]
Heavier than Air

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