DeepStar III - What's New for 1996
Authors: Hays P.R. , Chitwood J.E. 
Published: October 2008

Project Mission:

The Deep Star Project began its fourth year and third phase of operation in February 1996. The project's mission remains:

An industry wide cooperative effort focused on identification and development of economically viable, low risk methods to produce hydrocarbons from deepwater tracts in the Gulf of Mexico.

This is a broad objective that allows assorted deepwater facilities to be investigated. Initial project focus was upon subsea extended reach facilities, although not applicable for all field developments. Subsequently, the project diversified into 'building block' or 'modular' technologies which may be incorporated into an assortment of facility configurations. This approach will provide the development engineer with the equipment and services necessary to optimize a facility for a field's specific conditions. Studies in Phase 2A have evaluated an assortment of in-field surface piercing structures like, TLPs, SPARS, and Semisubmersibles. Understanding these structures assures the optimum subsea or surface facilities will be selected for the conditions driving any field development.

Historic Perspective:

The DeepStar project cooperative research. companies have been has become a model for industry Over twenty-one different oil involved in the project with 18 companies having been continuous participants (See Figure 1). The investment has been a cumulative 3350,000 per operator delivering deepwater production technology having a total research value in excess of $20,000,000. DeepStar has a close cooperative relationship with the manufacturing and service community. The sixty companies (See Figure 2) who have joined the project during its different phases have made vital contributions toward accomplishing the project objectives. This process has benefited the contributors by featuring and demonstrating the capabilities of their products and services while establishing a dialogue and personal relationship with eventual customers.

Four years ago when DeepStar began, many considered the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico to be uncommercial to develop. This perception resulted from a lack of technical studies and knowledge of the potential world-class reservoir performance. Today, that perception has changed and the resulting deepwater exploration and development activity has become an industry showcase with significant economic benefit to the companies and to the nation. However, the project's benefit is not just limited to the Gulf of Mexico. The technology being developed and demonstrated readily applies to the many deepwater regions around the world that have development potential. The participating oil companies recognized this broad application and the project truly operates on an international basis both with the participants and with the contributing companies.

DeepStar Phase III Organization:

DeepStar Phase III has a 24 month schedule and a total cash budget for external services of approximately $5,000,000. This work will be performed in six technology areas, These are:Regulatory issues.Flow assurance.Subsea maintenance.Vessels, mooring and riser systems.Drilling and completion technologyCoordination activities.