Page 331 - Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production Second Edition

318 Production Operations Input to the FDP

re-inject waste material into the reservoir where possible (e.g. re-injection of
drilling cuttings).

Utilities systems support production operations, and should also be addressed
when putting together a FDP. Some examples of these are

power system (fuel gas and diesel)
seawater and potable water treatment system
chemicals and lubrication oils
alarm and shutdown system
fire protection and fire-fighting system
instrument/utility air system.

12.2.2. Manning
Manning of production facilities is a key part of field development planning.
Every person offshore requires accommodation, transport, administrative support,
managing and at least one back-up to operate a shift system. Typically, every one
person offshore requires between three and five other employees as support. If a
platform is manned, then life-saving systems must be provided, along with other
items like a mess, recreation room, radio and telecommunications facilities, medical
and sick-bay facilities. This is one of the main reasons for the drive towards minimum
manning or unmanned operations; it is not only safer, but also cheaper. Along with the
introduction of CAO, unmanned operations are now a reality.
If it is decided that an operation does require to be manned, then it may
need to be manned on a 24-h basis, or a 12-h basis, or only for daily inspection.
Accommodation may be provided on a separate living quarters platform or as part
of an integrated platform, or on a floating hotel.

12.2.3. Logistics
Logistics refers to the organisation of transport of people, and supply and storage of
materials. The transport of people is linked to the mode of manning the operation,
and is clearly much simplified for an unmanned operation.
For a typical operation in the North Sea, the transport of personnel to and from
the facilities is by helicopter. The transport of materials is normally by supply boat.
The storage of chemicals, lubricants, aviation fuel and diesel fuel is normally on
the platforms, with chemicals kept in bulk storage or in drums depending on the
quantities. A typical diesel storage would be adequate to run back-up power
generators for around a week, but the appropriate storage for each item would need
to be specified in the FDP.

12.2.4. Communications

Telecommunications systems will include internal communications within the
platforms (telephone, radio, walkie-talkie, air-ground-air, navigation and public