Current credentials

Exploration and production companies are investigating deeper waters in the drive to address the global energy challenge. The potential rewards are high, but so are the finding and development costs, with typical deepwater drilling projects coming in at $450,000 to $750,000 a day. Maximising rig utilisation is a priority. But deeper waters are more likely to experience strong ocean currents, which can cause damage to drilling risers and keep a rig out of action for weeks.

In 2006, Shell Exploration & Production Company (SEPCo) made a discovery in 2,300m of water in the Fredericksburg field, eastern Gulf of Mexico. The field is often subjected to the Loop Current, a warm ocean current that flows northward between Cuba and the Yucatán peninsula, then moves north into the Gulf of Mexico, and finally loops west and south before exiting through the Florida Straits. As well as developing strong localised currents, the warm waters of the Loop Current provide more energy to hurricanes, which causes them to intensify. In 2005, hurricanes Katrina and Rita both greatly increased in strength when they passed over the warmer waters of the Loop Current.

These ocean currents can cause vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) and drag, which leads to damage to the long flexible risers required for deepwater offshore drilling. VIV suppression devices are used to counteract the vibrations, lower drag and help prevent downtime. The development of such devices relies on research involving several disciplines, and Shell Global Solutions employs some of the world’s top researchers in this field to deploy new and improved solutions.

Download the full article as a PDF. (PDF, 71 KB) - opens in new window