Feasibility Study – Risk Mitigation Plan for Electrical Failures
Case Study: Risk mitigation plan for electrical failures
Client Overview:
A leading independent oil and gas operator required an assessment of a subsea power solution for its deepwater subsea production system in the Gulf of America. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of employing a back-up power supply which could be implemented in the minimum period of time, to maintain production system operability during an umbilical power failure.
Challenge:
The client sought to develop a risk mitigation plan for electrical failures to safeguard critical subsea assets and minimise the probability and magnitude of production downtime. The operating environment presented additional complexity due to the deepwater setting, in addition to physical constraints in the existing host asset, weather sensitivity and the need for compatibility with existing subsea assets.
Solution:
A comprehensive techno/commercial evaluation was undertaken to assess the suitability of a number of emerging offshore power generation technologies. This also included an implementation plan and production risk versus mitigation cost analysis.
The study included preliminary power and capacity modelling based on existing subsea system loads. It also evaluated multiple candidate architectures optimised for subsea deployment, as well as defining key system attributes including electrical characteristics, physical dimensions and technical constraints.
A phased implementation strategy was recommended to manage risk and maximise long-term value by securing long-lead components and verifying key operational interfaces which could be deployed ‘rapidly’ in the event of a power loss.
Results:
- Delivered a robust feasibility assessment outlining viable subsea configurations.
- Defined a clear, staged roadmap for deployment, reducing commercial and operational risk.
- Identified opportunities to leverage existing infrastructure to minimise integration complexity.
Key Takeaways:
- A phased approach would enable early verification and reduce commercial exposure.
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