Fatigue loading on subsea wellhead systems from riser and rig motions has been subject to increased attention in recent years. In an effort to enhance how the offshore industry is carrying out wellhead fatigue assessments, 16 operators are now progressing with the second phase of a joint industry project (JIP). The goal of the JIP is to develop a recommended practice (RP) to complement current codes and standards and improve methodology to assess the integrity of an important well barrier.
This second phase of the JIP will fund various studies to increase industry knowledge on key parameters affecting wellhead fatigue. In addition, the JIP will benefit from work-in-kind contributions. Current best practices for fatigue life assessments will be documented in the RP, which will be publicly released as the JIP progresses. It is envisaged that the JIP will continue with subsequent phases beyond phase 2 which will be completed first half of 2015.
An advisory board was created by the steering committee, consisting of major Operators on the JIP and DNV GL with the goals of advising and expediting the execution of the JIP. The steering committee chair acknowledges that the advisory board represents the strong unified interest of the JIP participants and their active participation demonstrates a commitment to the success of the JIP.
Industry subject matter experts will participate as authors, editors and reviewers. Key stakeholders, including equipment suppliers, rig contractors, and regulatory authorities, will be engaged in the process to gather and share input widely across the industry. Project management will be handled by DNV GL.
"DNV GL leads more than 100 joint industry projects annually, combining our expertise with that of the sector to identify and find solutions to its most complex technical challenges. We set the benchmark in oil and gas industry best practice, offering open access to more than 170 oil and gas industry standards and recommended practices, which support the industry to improve safety, reliability and performance. Well integrity is a prioritized area and the Structural Well Integrity JIP represents an important part of this," says Elisabeth Tørstad, CEO, DNV GL Oil & Gas.
The participating companies are BP, Centrica Energy, Chevron, Det Norske, Eni, ExxonMobil Development Company, GDF Suez, Hess, Lundin, Marathon, Nexen, Shell, Statoil, Talisman Energy, Total and Woodside.
For further information about the JIP contact:
Project Manager Ole Rengaard, ole@rengaard@dnvgl.com and Partha Sharma, partha.sharma@dnvgl.com