Offshore Focus Series: HP/HT Insights event

Offshore Focus Series: HP/HT Insights event

OFS Series HP/HT Panelists

Panelist Brian Skeels, Emerging Technologies Director for FMC Technologies, said many of the approaches industry has taken to solve HPHT issues may no longer apply, and finding solutions that work will take time. “The 800-pound gorilla is the lack of detailed data on performance properties of oilfield materials at HPHT conditions needed to turn these analysis methods into reality.”

OFS Series HP/HT Insights Panelists

Top Row (left to right): Darren McQuillan, ABS Vice President of Offshore Energy Project Development; Jim Raney, Anadarko Director of Engineering & Technology; Paul Jukes, ABS Group; Kent Grebing, National Oilwell Varco Director of BOP Engineering; and Harish Patel, ABS Director of Offshore Technology.

Seated Row (left to right): Brian Skeels,
FMC Technologies Director of Emerging Technologies; Jim Kaculi, Dril-Quip Inc. Vice President of Engineering; Lan Hiscox, Cameron Technical Manager; and Judy Murray ABS Director of Media Relations.

Presentation by:  Russell Hoshman, Technical Advisor for Regional Field Operations Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), told participants at the ABS Offshore Technology Forum event, the goal for BSEE is “an industry consensus solution that is acceptable to the government,” which he believes can be reached through a collaborative effort within the industry with the support of BSEE.

“We’ve got to change the way we’re thinking.” -Jim Raney

Jim Raney, Director of Engineering and Technology Special Projects for Anadarko, said finding solutions will require approaching HPHT issues from a different perspective. “We’ve got to change the way we’re thinking.”

ABS Focus Series - Houston, TX

The informal environment of the ABS Offshore Focus Series held in Houston on 24 February 2016, created an atmosphere that encouraged open discussion between panelists and participants.

Offshore Focus Series creates open exchange on HPHT Topics

The ABS Offshore Focus Series, held in Houston on 24 February 2016, created an opportunity for innovators, thought leaders and business managers to discuss the most critical high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) challenges. This is the first of an ABS-hosted series that will address a broad range of significant oil and gas industry issues. The event was organized as an open interaction of professions looking for ways to solve HPHT problems and implement.

The day’s agenda included two panels: one focusing on component level HPHT challenges and another on HPHT system level challenges. Both panels were followed by a question and answer period. The event also included a presentation by Russell Hoshman, Technical Advisor for Regional Field Operations at the Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on the HPHT approval process.

The informal environment of the event created an atmosphere that encouraged an open discussion between panelists and participants that touched on topics such as FMECA validation/verification, the gap in current code and standards and the necessity for a roadmap.

Hoshman began his presentation remarking that finding solutions for HPHT issues will require industry to work with government. “There is no black and white answer,” he said. The goal is “an industry consensus solution that is acceptable to the government,” which he believes can be reached through a collaborative effort within the industry with the support of BSEE.

According to panelist Jim Raney, Director of Engineering and Technology Special Projects for Anadarko, finding solutions will require approaching HPHT issues from a different perspective. “We’ve got to change the way we’re thinking,” he said.

Panelist Brian Skeels, Emerging Technologies Director for FMC Technologies, agreed, pointing out that many of the approaches industry has taken to solve HPHT issues may no longer apply, especially with respect to more complex geometry associated with today’s equipment.

“In addition, the 800-pound gorilla is the lack of detailed data on performance properties of oilfield materials at HPHT conditions needed to turn these analysis methods into reality. Finding solutions that will work will take time; it’s not an instant turnaround fix the oil patch been accustomed to in the past,” he said, “It’ll also require broader collaboration from operators, suppliers, and government.”

Lan Hiscox, Technical Manager, who represented Cameron on the panel addressing equipment verification and validation, strongly supports expanded collaboration and the open exchange of ideas, which she said will be critical to finding solutions. “You have to depend on SMEs (subject matter experts) and forums like this to do that,” she said.

ABS will continue to host Offshore Focus Series events throughout the year to encourage conversation, examining technology challenges and evaluating potential solutions. As a leader of marine and offshore innovation, ABS has organized these events to provide a forum for open discussion among government, academia and industry.