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Esri Proceedings

2009 Petroleum User Group Conference

DMT—Facilities Management

Offshore Field Layout Planning and Development with ArcGIS

View Presentation [PDF]

Angus Colyer and Tom O'Donnell, Chevron Energy Technology Co.
James Ellis, Ellis GeoSpatial
Matt Levey, AOA Geophysics
Neil Delfino

Chevron is developing a Subsea Field Development and Planning Tool utilizing ArcGIS, 3D Analyst, ArcScene and 3D Simulation. The purpose is to reduce project risk and cost by generating a common 3D visualization tool which can be utilized by typical engineering disciplines ranging from Reservoir Engineering through Seabed Equipment to Onshore Process Facilities.

A common planning tool integrates planning decisions, minimizes field layout design conflicts, supports a centralized database development, provides design verification utilizing ROV-based 3D simulation, promotes training, enables solutions to be verified before equipment is ordered, improves understanding between Chevron and contractors, and supplies through-field-life support.

GIS field layout planning is initiated by compiling geophysical assessments, hazard maps, bathymetry, existing infrastructure, reservoirs, and wells. A subsea engineer then position subsea equipment such as pipelines, umbilicals, surface-processing host, mooring lines, and risers. 3D Analyst is used to visualize the field layout. The field layout GIS is passed to the ROV 3D simulation program for mock up and verification.

ArcGIS employs 3D symbols of equipment with x, y, z reference points and snap-to-points (representing connection points for other equipment). These equipment points are exchanged between ArcGIS and the ROV 3D simulation program. Shapefiles are exported to AutoCAD so engineering drawings can be generated - these are used with front-end engineering and design (FEED) contactors and to generate bids.

The survey of installed manifold foundation piles and wellhead conductors will be integrated into the GIS to provide as-built details of the field layout. The 3D Simulation will utilize the as-built details from the field layout to provide virtual measurements for the subsea equipment locations. Virtual measurement of subsea equipment enables jumper spools to be pre-fabricated, thereby reducing the requirement to perform subsea metrology and project costs.

A single, authoritative geodatabase using ArcGIS Server and SQL Server 2008 is being developed to enable project team members to read, update, and edit geodata simultaneously. The ArcGIS solution provides easily understood visual evidence of the interfaces between subsurface, subsea, and surface equipment and is fulfilling the company’s vision of a seamless, integrated, and standardized field layout planning & development tool.


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