Eldon Ball • Houston
In this exclusive interview forOffshore magazine, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva exudes optimism when talking about the significance of the new rules proposed for the development of potentially vast oilfields buried beneath a thick layer of salt off the coast of Brazil.
The string of pre-salt discoveries has generated something similar to a black gold rush over the potential reserves of light oil and the huge amount of cash the pre-salt may yield.
Although the total volume of reserves is not yet known, it seems enough to vault Brazil into the top 10 oil-producing countries worldwide. Analysts are estimating that some 80-100 Bbbl of oil may be found in the whole pre-salt area, some 149,000 sq km (57,529 sq mi) off Brazil’s southeast coast.
The full interview byOffshore Special Correspondent Peter Howard Wertheim begins on page 38.
First US-built deepwater dry tree drilling and production platform
ATP Titan, claimed to be the first deepwater dry tree drilling and production platform built in the US, was christened at Gulf Island Fabrication’s south yard in Ingleside, Texas, recently, underscoring the industry’s continuing innovation in new technology.
The $600-million ATP-operated MinDOC platform hull was fabricated on its side in a purpose-built graving dock, measuring 600 ft (183 m) long, 250 ft (76 m) wide, and 40 ft (12 m) deep. The $25-million dock is the first in the US built for offshore construction. This month, the 19,000-ton (17,237-metric ton) platform hull is scheduled to float off the dock and be towed to sea, a process that is expected to take about two weeks. The topside module will be mated with the hull offshore in November.
See the full report byManaging Editor David Paganie beginning on page 72.
Shtokman partners veto spar in favor of giant FPU
Work on the Shtokman project in the Barents Sea is progressing largely according to plan, with completion of FEED phase expected early in 2010.
Doris Engineering and Russia’s Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (Rubin) are completing preparatory design work on the offshore production facilities. Their remit encompasses the platform, the subsea production system, and overall flow assurance from the wells to the onshore slug catcher.
For the latest details on Shtokman development plans, see the report byJeremy Beckman, Editor-Europe, beginning on page 68.
DOT in Monaco to emphasize challenges
The Deep Offshore Technology International Conference and Exhibition Nov. 3- 5 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, will address technical issues, introduce pioneering technology, and discuss lessons learned while exploring, developing, and producing oil and gas in deep and ultra deepwater basins around the world.
DOT 2009 emphasis is on “Rising to the Deepwater Challenges.”Antoine Serceau, senior VP of project construction for Total E&P, will give the keynote address -- an update on deep offshore developments, portfolio, and technical challenges.
Tony Mace, CEO of SBM Offshore, will give the industry perspective.
John Westwood, chairman of energy analysts Douglas Westwood, will give a deepwater forecast.
For additional information or to register for the conference visit the website at http://www.deepoffshoretechnology.com/index.html. Stay tuned towww.offshore-mag.com during the event for continuous coverage.
The full description of the conference begins onpage 52.
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