Solutions to Recover Liquid Hydrocarbons and Reduce Flaring During Offshore Well Cleanup and Testing

Flaring hydrocarbons during well cleanup and testing is a significant source of CO₂ emissions in offshore oil and gas operations. These emissions arise because the fluids produced at this early stage often do not meet the cleanliness standards required for treatment or transport. Current practices frequently involve flaring oil and gas directly on the rig, especially when drilling occurs years before project startup or when immediate stimulation/treatment is required after cleanup.

This challenge seeks innovative technologies or systems to recover liquid hydrocarbons (oil) during these critical phases while minimizing flaring. The ultimate goal is to ensure the recovered liquids are sufficiently degassed to meet international standards for oil transportation, enabling safe storage in small tankers.

It is worth noting that similar systems are reportedly already in use in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), potentially guiding the search toward existing or adaptable solutions.

Key areas of focus include:

• Efficient recovery and separation of liquid hydrocarbons (including debris, completion fluids, and oil) on rigs or vessels during well cleanup and testing.
• Safe degassing of recovered fluids to meet transport standards, ensuring compliance with international oil shipping regulations.
• Innovative storage solutions, such as small tankers or modular offshore facilities, to hold recovered liquids until they can be transported for treatment.
• Feasibility of deploying offshore mini-FPSOs, separation systems, or other scalable technologies for hydrocarbon recovery.
• Proven experiences or novel approaches that address similar challenges in other projects or companies.

Objectives:

• Minimize CO₂ emissions and hydrocarbon losses during well cleanup and testing.
• Ensure safe and compliant transportation of recovered liquid hydrocarbons.
• Enhance operational safety and compliance with decarbonization goals.
• Leverage innovative and scalable technologies applicable to offshore assets in regions such as Suriname, Angola, and Namibia.