DNV GL and ExproSoft are now joining forces to offer a risk based approach to testing barrier valves in subsea completed wells applicable worldwide.
The objective is to reduce both downtime and risk related to shut-in and restart of wells in addition to substantial cost savings.
“ In Norway, today’s current prescriptive approach to well testing can result in up to 3 days lost production per test, equivalent to US$10M per asset. Changing today’s prescriptive test intervals and leak criteria to a risk and reliability-based approach, will achieve substantial year-on-year cost savings for operators in Norway and elsewhere ,” said Kjell Eriksson , Regional Manager – Norway, DNV GL – Oil & Gas. “Our experts can use established methodologies from the process industry and safety systems to reduce the number of shut-ins and well downtime, thus lowering the need for expensive interventions and work-overs. All this can be attained while maintaining acceptable risk levels and meeting regulatory requirements.”
Currently, the NCS regime refers to NORSOK D-010 for well barrier testing and testing frequencies and leak criteria for well barrier valves are determined by API 14B/ISO 10417. DNV GL and Exprosoft will undertake a project to develop the risk based approach which will identify failure modes and causes, failure rates, analyze the consequences, establish a risk picture and translate the results into a recommended test frequency. Further, a method to develop risk-based leak acceptance criteria may also be an outcome of this work. The results can be applied globally and will be available in Q1 2016, DNV GL informed.
“ For an offshore platform with 25 wells producing 50 000 barrels a day, the average annual intervention cost is $26 Million,” said ExproSoft’ s CEO, Odd Are Svensen . “ We are looking forward to working closely with DNV GL to combine our equipment reliability services with DNV GL’s risk management expertise to reduce intervention cost.”