Approach
ExproSoft has a strong focus on quantitative risk assessments (QRAs) and reliability improvement issues for well systems, subsea production systems and
drilling/intervention technology. Applied studies are performed by a multidisciplinary team of experienced engineers with a practical approach and strong
analytical competence. The company offers these services through
staff members with more than 20 years experience from various oil-field risk assessments
and reliability studies. In addition, ExproSoft has a broad network of contacts within the research community at SINTEF and the Norwegian University of
Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim (Norway), forming a platform of world-class risk and reliability engineering expertise.
Methodology
QRAs are based on the use of recognized reliability methods (FMECA, CCA, ETA, FTA, Markov theory etc). In need of fault tree analysis, we are using our
own
CARA Fault-Tree product. The
Wellmaster™ database is an
indispensable tool for risk and reliability assessment of well concepts. This database has finished its 6th round of updating and is currently supported
by 12 major oil companies worldwide. The database holds valuable data on operational histories with detailed reliability data from a large number of
production and injection wells.
SubseaMaster is a similar concept for subsea production systems, which was initially launched jointly
by ExproSoft and Petrobras.
ExproSoft applications of reliability data and reliability engineering methods over the last years include:
- Risk and reliability studies
- Lifecycle cost/profit (LCC/LCP) analysis
- Tender evaluations and purchasing decisions
- Rig contracting strategies
- Incentive based contract definitions
- Test/qualification programs
- Independent system design reviews
- Downhole barrier acceptance criteria definitions
- Concept evaluation and comparison
Benefits
Benefits that can be attributed to risk and reliability analysis are:
- Improved lifetimes of downhole equipment with reduced intervention requirements
- Reduced requirements for surface safety systems resulting from improvements of downhole barriers
- Independent design reviews and reliability verifications, with cost savings through reduced equipment failure rate in service
- Development of new, flexible standard for acceptance criteria and operational testing of downhole safety valves
- Decision support for selection of downhole and subsea systems
The most profiled cost saving case is a study in Norway where a risk analysis applying updated data on reliability of downhole safety valves
demonstrated that an acceptable safety level (blowout escalation risk) could be achieved through a production riser design which eliminated the need
for passive fire protection. This led to a cost saving of some
NOK 720 million (appox. USD 81 million) for the Heidrun field Tension Leg Platform (TLP) when
compared to the Snorre TLP – a development which was completed a few years earlier with use of passive fire protection on the risers. Without the
availability of updated and recognized, independent SCSSV reliability data this cost saving would not have been achieved.
Case studies
ExproSoft staff members and our partners have been involved in more than 200 studies worldwide over the last decade involving downhole and/or subsea oil/gas
production systems’ risk and reliability issues. You can review selected case studies/project on our
project overview page.
Please contact us at
exprosoft@exprosoft.com for further information or quotations on risk/reliability studies.