DeepStar Innovative Technology Development & Deployment Outlook
Authors: Shamshy S. , Lee C. , Joseph J. , Sun W. , Gayneaux J. , Sakurai T. , Gomes J. , Thompson C. , Lima C. , Patni S. , Mateen K. 
Published: October 2023

Executive Summary

To meet the growing dual energy challenges of meeting growing demand for energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is crucial that the energy industry, including oil and gas companies, engineering firms, manufacturers, suppliers, regulators, energy-related academic institutes, and research organizations can collaboratively develop new technologies together to unlock offshore especially deepwater resources in safe and efficient manners. This DeepStar presentation will discuss the key challenges and technology development outlook that the industry can collaborate with.

Leading collaborative examples of the DeepStar Program will be shared to understand how industry pioneers work together to reduce the cost and risks of developing novel technologies. By leveraging collective wisdom in areas absent of competitive advantages and unlocking collaborative capabilities between technology providers and commercial operated assets, DeepStar provides a unique platform whereby the joint industry needs of offshore deepwater energy producers can be addressed in a cost- and time-efficient manner. In order to address these needs, Deepstar has access to venture and research funding from various resources to unlock deepwater offshore energy potential that would otherwise be stranded due to technological limitations.

What is "normal today" was "impossible 10 years ago"; what is "impossible today" will be normal 10 years from now. In offshore development, in 1878, the world's first modern oil tanker was built; in 1949, the first offshore mobile drilling platform was built; in 1977, the first FPSO was manufactured; in 1991, the first guideline-less subsea tree was available; in 2003, first semi-submersible facility in Gulf Of Mexico; in 2011, drilling water depth exceeded 3,000 meters; in 2015, the first subsea gas compression was put in operations; in 2018, the first autonomous offshore robot came in action, this groundbreaking development revolutionized the way operations are conducted in the offshore environment, opening up new possibilities and transforming the industry's approach to safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

DeepStar is a global offshore technology development consortium founded in 1991. Its current members include 10 energy operators (Chevron, CPC, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Hess, INPEX, Oxy, Petrobras, Shell, and TotalEnergies) as members, and 30 plus tech service companies, research institutes as associate members that provide technical solutions to energy operators and industry. Utilizing its increasing image and significant leverage, DeepStar is to collaboratively deliver the most needed innovative technologies, including in engineering optimization, standardization, offshore drilling and interventions, reservoir monitoring, long-distance tie-back, advanced risers, all electrics, subsea separation, subsea boosting, autonomous subsea, autonomous FPSO, offshore wind, offshore carbon capture/decarbonization, for the energy industry.

The key success of the DeepStar program is to let industry partners collaboratively work together to efficiently develop innovative technologies via significant leverage and cost savings to improve offshore operations. The program fosters collaboration among various stakeholders in the energy industry, including energy operators, tech service companies, and research institutes. This collaborative approach enables the pooling of resources, knowledge, and expertise, leading to the development of innovative technologies that address key challenges in offshore and deepwater operations. By bringing together industry pioneers, DeepStar harnesses collective wisdom and leverages funds to reduce costs and risks associated with technology development and increase the industry voice for solving common problems.

DeepStar has several technical subcommittees which cover the key areas such as field development including drilling & completions, reservoir, facilities, autonomous operations, greenhouse gas emission and carbon abatement, flow assurance, subsea, etc. These subcommittees work together to identify the industry's key challenges and develop innovative technologies needed. DeepStar also promotes the adoption of innovative technologies through various initiatives, including conferences, workshops, and publications. Five technologies developed in DeepStar will be highlighted, which include 1) Hibot Robotic System, 2) Baker Hughes Veros Sensors Systems, 3) Baker Hughes REACH™ wireline-retrievable safety valve 4) Damorphe - Daido Steel - Baker Hughes Salinity Insensitive Metallic Barrier Assembly (SIMBA) with Smart Dissolvable Plugged Nozzle Assemblies (DPNAs), and 5) Damorphe-NaganoKeiki: High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) - Flowable Sensor Ball.

The selection of these five technologies in the DeepStar program was based on several criteria. Firstly, these technologies were chosen based on their relevance to the industry's current needs and challenges. They address critical areas such as engineering optimization, offshore drilling, reservoir monitoring, subsea operations, and autonomous systems. The selection also considers the maturity of the technologies, ensuring that they have reached a stage where they can be effectively deployed and commercially available and completed field deployed. Additionally, the technologies have demonstrated significant potential for cost reduction, risk mitigation, safety improvements, and environmental considerations, making them prime candidates for development and adoption within the industry.