Abstract

This paper describes the use of a floating production system and subsea wells to produce a small oil field located in 295 feet of water, Natuna Sea, Indonesia. The Kepiting Field system uses two subsea wells connected by flexible flowlines to a spread moored barge. The barge is capable of processing 10,000 barrels oil per day (BOPD), flaring 10 million standard cubic feet natural gas per day (MMCFPD), and storing 53,000 barrels of high pour point oil. Oil is transferred by a small shuttle tanker to a nearby single point moored storage/exporting tanker. A unique system is employed for wireline work into the two subsea wells. This system is comprised of permanent steel tubular risers connected to the subsea trees and tensioned by buoys positioned 50 feet below the sea surface. To permit wireline entry, a buoy is deployed with integral riser extending to the surface and is connected to the surface tension buoy. The wireline unit is stationed on a workboat, spread moored to buoys which provide stationkeeping of the workboat relative to the wellheads. The performance of the floating production system and wireline well entry system is discussed.