Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has successfully completed the first remotely controlled well completion in the Bonga field, located in Nigerian waters. This innovative operation was carried out in a water depth of 1,060 meters, using a Remotely Operated Controls System (ROCS) provided by Norwegian technology company Optime Subsea.
Technology for remotely controlled wells
Optime Subsea’s ROCS represents a significant advance by eliminating the need for the traditional umbilical, which connects the surface to the seabed to control the tubing hanger on subsea well completions, as well as the surface hydraulic control unit. This innovation reduces costs and considerably reduces the deck space required for these operations.
Justus Ngerebara, Principal Well Engineer at SNEPCo, expressed his satisfaction with the performance of ROCS, noting that it allows for faster well completion operations, at lower cost and with a substantially lower carbon footprint compared to conventional systems.
Optime Subsea ROCS
It is important to mention that last year, SNEPCo received its first ROCS from Optime Subsea and has worked closely with the company to integrate the system into its operations. According to Optime Subsea, the use of ROCS allows operators to eliminate approximately 50 tons of equipment from their offshore transportation list, resulting in a significantly lower carbon footprint. It also reduces operating time and exposure to health and safety risks on the drill floor, lowering both CAPEX and OPEX for operators.
Optime Subsea has conducted multiple ROCS operations in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico, but this was the first in African waters. The operation was led by Optime Subsea’s Nigeria operation, supported by personnel from its headquarters in Norway.
The successful implementation of the SNEPCo remotely controlled well completion operation in the Bonga field not only marks a milestone in the African oil industry, but also underscores the potential of ROCS technology to transform subsea operations globally. By reducing the carbon footprint and optimizing efficiency, such technological innovations play a crucial role in the transition to more sustainable and environmentally responsible exploration and production practices.
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Source: marinetechnologynews.com
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