Pierce Life Extension Project

Background

The Pierce Field, operated by Shell in the UK Central North Sea, is expected to surpass its original design life of 15 years and continue producing for over 17 years. To accommodate this increased production potential, a Life Extension project was initiated to develop a comprehensive plan for refurbishing and upgrading the facilities to meet the revised field life.

The Challenge

In order to extend the life of the Pierce Field, Shell initiated a Life Extension project which entailed a thorough corrosion assessment of the subsea production system. It was imperative to secure the services of an expert team with the expertise to identify crucial information in the integrity management system, and to identify and quantify any potential risks that may obstruct the asset's life extension.

How OGC Energy Helped Shell UK

OGC Energy, a leading provider of corrosion and materials expertise in the oil and gas industry, worked with a team of subsea specialists to successfully complete a conceptual study for the life extension of the Pierce Subsea Production System. To sustain production, the team utilised Norsok U-009 "Life Extension for Subsea Systems" to ensure the system's integrity and longevity. The Subsea Production System consisted of piping and subsea infrastructure, mid-water arch and flexible flowlines, jumpers, and risers.
The team utilised their expertise in corrosion assessments, inspection data analysis, and cathodic protection surveys to carry out an in-depth review of the original design, fabrication records, and up-to-date integrity management data. This review closed the gap between the original design from the early 90s and current regulatory requirements, allowing the client to develop a life extension strategy that covers flexible flowlines, jumpers, and risers.
As a result of the study, a concept strategy for the Asset Life Extension of the Pierce Subsea Production System was implemented, prioritising actions to sustain production beyond the original design life.

How we help you

Let OGC Energy's expertise in life extension studies help you maximise your assets' performance and prolong their operating life. Our proven success with the Pierce Subsea Production System makes us the ideal partner for your next project.

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