NOIA ANNUAL MEETING Technology BSEE OCS Policy TECHNOLOGY Committee CONCERNS/INITIATIVES BSEE Update Joe Levine BSEE Washington DC April 11, 2014
Presentation Overview BSEE Research Program Research Drivers Deepwater Operations Plan (DWOP) Technology Concerns Questions?
BSEE Research Program Established in the 1970's to Address offshore oil and gas safety and environmental concerns Foster advancements in scientific and technical knowledge Program focus Operational safety Pollution prevention Renewables Over 800 projects have been funded
BSEE Research Program 8 1977-2013 Cumulative Spent: $99.4 Million 7 Dollars Spent (Millions) 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
BSEE Research Program Focus Areas Air Quality Arctic Drilling Decommissioning Deepwater Geotechnical Materials Production Human Behavior Pollution Prevention Structures Hydrates Production Measurement Mooring and Anchors Metocean Renewables (wind) Pipelines
Research Drivers OCS Risk Management Geologic Uncertainty Downhole operating envelope 400 F 30,000 psi + Fluid composition Data Gaps Near Miss Leading/Lagging Standards New Technology Equipment durability LCM Failure reporting Shearing RTM HPHT Human Behavior (SEMS) Process safety Competency Contractors Environmental Concerns Arctic Deepwater Regulatory Initiatives Safety Political concerns
DWOP Technology 30 CFR 250.286 295 DWOP needs to be submitted for Development projects using nonconventional completion or production technology, regardless of water depth (250.287) DWOP needs to include New technology information (250.292(n)) Alternate compliance procedures and departure list (250.292(o))
DWOP New Technology Approval Mechanisms 250.141 May I ever use alternate procedures or equipment? You may use alternate procedures or equipment after receiving approval if it is equivalent in regards to safety and environmental protection 250.142 How do I receive approval for departures? We may approve departures to the operating requirements
What Does The New Technology Approval Process Look Like? New idea (operators/manufacturers) DWOP to BSEE (operator) Conditions of Approval for DWOP (BSEE) Protection of people/environment Barriers Failure mode/risk assessments What can go wrong/fail? Mitigations for failures New technology implementation (operator) Outcome Notice to Lessees & Operators (BSEE) Engineering standards (operators/manufactures/bsee) Regulations (BSEE)
DWOP Technology During past 18 years, 410 projects encompassing 1300 DWOP have been approved by BSEE Many examples of new technology exist which were first approved in DWOP Facilities TLP, SPAR, FPSO, mini TLP s Polyester moorings Floating production system riser Horizontal trees MPD (test/pilot projects) Dual gradient Subsea booster pumps HPHT well completions (2 approvals to date)
Arctic Current Areas of Interest Ice forecasting and monitoring (ongoing) Scour Chukchi & Beaufort Evaluating grounded ice features in Beaufort (pipelines, wellheads) Low temperature effects on drilling equipment Seals, lubricants, embrittlement Qualifying cranes for Arctic service API RP 2N Planning, Designing, and Constructing Structures and Pipelines for Arctic Conditions
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) > 350 F or 15,000 psig Current Area of Interest As more operations take place in HPHT environments BSEE needs additional information on New materials capable of withstanding extreme conditions Effect of H2S/CO2 in HPHT wells on materials Effect of HPHT on specific types of downhole equipment Tubulars Packers Electronics Cements
Current Area of Interest New Material New oil field materials continue being proposed for use on OCS Some materials have been used in aerospace and medical industries but not in the Oilfield Nickel Based Alloys (i.e. Inconel, MP 35N) R5 Grade Steels Not having a solid oilfield track record results in higher risk No available standards or specifications BSEE needs Basic material property data (laboratory testing) Material data testing procedures Evaluation tool for permit/plan reviews
Current Area of Interest Corrosion Need optimal material mechanical property data for corrosion resistance (e.g., hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking) when used subsea Hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength Bolts/fasteners on critical drill-through equipment (e.g. LMRP, H4 connectors, risers) Data needs to be applied consistently throughout industry standards (e.g. API 6A, 16A, 16F )
Real Time Monitoring (RTM) Current Area of Interest Multiple government bodies apply some form of RTM NASA Mission Control National Weather Service FAA Air Traffic Control USCG Vessel Traffic Services USGS Earthquake Early Warning System
Oil & Gas RTM Allows for remote participation in well planning/monitoring BSEE Project #707- RTM completed 1/23/14 How should BSEE use RTM BOP testing, cementing, casing pressure testing.?? Booth, 2011 Booth, 2009
Shear Ram Performance Current Area of Interest BOP shear certification tests 250.416(e) requires independent third party verification that blind shear rams installed in the BOP can shear any pipe in the hole under MASP BSEE internal audit of 416(e) submittals identified non-standard testing & reporting procedures BSEE and Argonne National Labs conducted an evaluation of OEM shear ram facilities and identified non-standardized manufacture testing Industry currently developing JIP on shear methodology and qualification test procedures
Failure Reporting Current Area of Interest BSEE is interested in how a failure reporting system can be used to minimize safety & environmental RISK for Critical Equipment (Subpart H proposed rule) Any failure reporting system should allow for Anonymous entry into data base Feedback to regulatory bodies, industry & OEM Analysis/knowledge sharing Product improvement Maintenance schedule optimization to minimize failure Offshore Energy Safety Institute (OESI) project
Life Cycle Management (LCM) Current Area of Interest BSEE is interested in developing a LCM approach in our regulations for key pieces of safety equipment (Subpart H proposed rule) LCM to include Design, fabrication, installation, repair, maintenance, operation, failure reporting/analysis, design modification BSEE is working with API on developing an LCM standard, API Q3
Questions, Comments, Concerns? Joseph.levine@bsee.gov 703-787-1033 Website: www.bsee.gov http://www.bsee.gov/research-and- Training/Technology-Assessment-and- Research/