Subsea tieback feasibility studies and front-end design

The cost of a feasibility study can vary depending on the breadth of scope, project uncertainties and extent of project decisions to be assessed.

Wood's SubseaXpert tool combines early concept development processes with Wood's design applications for system evaluation (CAPEX, OPEX, FA, RAM), detailed design, and project execution. This integration, along with our experience in delivering and operating assets, guarantees efficient and competitive quality solutions at any stage.

Wood can also customise the project scope to meet your budget and project targets.

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Depending on the scale, complexity and project location, a feasibility analysis can be completed in as little as three weeks or up to nine months for complex mega projects.

Our agile project management practices allow us to deliver feasibility studies within the agreed timeframe, adapting to any project-specific requirements.

With Wood’s SubseaXpert™ design tool, we can save several weeks from the typical timeline for early-phase studies.

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The FEED timeline typically ranges from three to eleven months, depending on the project's scale and complexity. It includes stages such as feasibility analysis, conceptual design, detailed design and final review.

We can be involved from start to finish and take on all roles, from the conceptual screening phase through feasibility and pre-FEED/FEED. We can provide detailed design, acting as engineer of record and through project commissioning to operation. We can also act as owner’s engineer through all project phases or as independent engineer providing due diligence for project finance or acquisition. In addition, our subsea design, commissioning and operational teams are available to guide, design and optimise your project throughout its lifecycle.

Our methodology is iterative and collaborative, involving stakeholders at every stage to refine the project scope and objectives, ensuring the feasibility study is robust and reflective of all project goals.

Our structured approach integrates allcore engineering disciplines into a single digital platform.

The early concept phase usually starts with framing workshops to develop strategy and decision maps. Technical studies and analysis are conducted to rank strategies and aid decision selection.

More detailed engineering then proceeds simultaneously on chosen concepts. Parametric designs are carried out in parallel to handle alternative bases and uncertainties, reducing the overall schedule and rework if there are changes to the design basis.

Our feasibility study deliverables include a comprehensive report, an executive summary for quick reference and a digital dashboard for ongoing project analysis.

We also create early-phase design documentation such as BFDs, PFDs, single lines, plant layouts and other documentation required by the client.

Our financial models incorporate sensitivity analyses, scenario planning and stress testing to provide a comprehensive view of project financials.

We provide detailed cost breakdowns, using our extensive database of industry costs and advanced statistical methods to forecast with precision, tailored for the region of your project for a more accurate assessment.

Wood’s rhi project management team specialises in project cost estimating and schedule development. Wood rhi has supported a large number of global projects, including subsea, topside facilities and onshore) and amassed a significant database of cost and schedule data, which is continuosly updated to reflect current market conditions.

Wood rhi rhiCOMS tools and cost estimation processes allow quick cost and schedule development for O&G projects. rhiCOMS is integrated with SubseaXpert.

Development and project risks are initially identified from Wood's extensive past project database along with associated prevention (inherent safety) and mitigation measures. Subsequent risk workshops are performed to ensure all risks are assessed and managed.

Where needed, we can employ advanced risk modelling techniques to optimise the development of mitigation strategies that safeguard project timelines and investments.

Our risk assessment specialists have access to leading industry data providers as well as our extensive global experience database, allowing us to provide more accurate and reliable risk assessments than most competitors.

Our expertise in carbon policy encompasses a global perspective and provides businesses and organisations with comprehensive guidance on navigating the intricate landscape of carbon-related regulations and compliance measures embedded in many different regions, including the United States Inflation Reduction Act, Canadian ITC, EU’s RED scheme and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

We specialise in helping our clients understand regulatory provisions and their implications for carbon emissions and assist them in developing tailored strategies to reduce their carbon footprint, stay in compliance and maximise government incentives.

Our team of experienced consultants will conduct thorough assessments, offering insights into carbon pricing mechanisms, emission reduction targets and incentives for sustainable practices.

We also provide proactive recommendations to seize opportunities for emissions trading, offset projects and investments in renewable energy sources, enabling our clients to not only comply with the regulations but also foster sustainable growth and reduce their environmental impact. With our advisory services, clients can stay ahead of evolving carbon policies and make informed decisions that align with their sustainability goals and regional policy requirements.

System architecture is developed from Wood’s extensive database of previous subsea tiebacks based on the project goals, design basis, functional requirements, largely driven by production performance requirements. The range of suitable subsea configurations are identified and evaluated as described above.

Similarly field layouts are developed based on given reservoir targets accounting for well defined equipment and construction layout requirements and constraints along with external hazards and geohazards. Again Wood’s passed project experience has been used to develop criteria for determining field layouts.

Flowline routing tools are used for determining optimum routes accounting for bathymetry to minimise spanning and geohazards whilst offsetting such against minimum route lengths.

We employ a structured engagement framework that ensures all voices are heard and considered, fostering community support and project buy-in.

We work hand-in-hand with you to define the critical project requirements and perform regular reviews to ensure project quality and adherence to your contractual standards.

When requested, we can conduct thorough environmental impact assessments and integrate circular economy principles to minimise the ecological footprint of subsea projects.

Wood has a custom design optimisation approach for subsea projects. We work with our clients to determine the critical project requirements.

The primary factor in ensuring an optimised design is to ensure the optimum concept is selected.

Wood’s SubseaXpert and rhiCOMs tools enable the parallel evaluation of multiple concepts and designs against agreed assessment criteria such as CAPEX, OPEX, production performance, HSE, project risks (Constructability, Integrity and lead times) and system availability. These are typically weighted to account for the projects primary drivers. This process ensures that the most suitable concept is selected.

Optimisation of the facilities is then achieved through the use of Wood’s state of the art design tools that ensure fit for purpose integrity envelope for the facilities based on the determined load criteria and associated uncertainties.

Yes, SubseaXpert has been specifically developed to enable multiple designs to be developed simultaneously eg, a design with flexible flowlines and another with rigid flowlines or different diameters etc. can all be developed at the same time with limited additional effort to developing a single design.

In general, there is limited to no impact on cost and schedule, though this does depend on the extent and timing of the change. Changing the pipeline diameter or various system process parameters (design pressure and/or temperature etc.) even after the initial design is complete will not require any significant rework, and will have limited schedule impact. Increased schedule (and potentially) activity would likely occur where key project decisions with numerous stake holders need to be revisited

components and vessels and equally, we are aware of emerging technologies and new products that may enhance the design delivery. Especially for fast- track projects with drive for earliest production and minimum CAPEX, the system architecture, functional and components specifications are developed to allow the market to propose alternative optimum solutions to the base case solution.

Wood has a rigorous business management system (BMS) that defines and integrates our Quality and Technical assurance processes along with the engineering workflows and project management systems. These define the checking, verification and design / PEER review requirements for each project.

Our SubseaXpert solutions incorporates a large part of the BMS processes. Firstly the system is fully validated, all design data is controlled with a single repository for design data (there are no multiple locations of the same design data). Once any design data is checked and approved (electronically) any subsequent changes will highlight calculations that are no longer valid (an e-mail is also sent to relevant stakeholders).

Our management of change processes defines the processes for identifying changes, evaluating their impact and implementation activities and identifying and advising all stakeholders.

No changes can be made to approved design data in SubseaXpert without this being flagged (all dependent calculations become highlighted as not aligned with the design basis). Design basis and calculation checking and approvals can be restricted to authorised individuals.

We ensure safety through rigorous risk assessments, strict adherence to industry standards and the incorporation of fail-safes. With our SubseaXpert™ design tool, we can optimise the size, location and layout of subsea projects to deliver the most efficient design and achieve the lowest production cost.

SubseaXpert™ currently covers subsea pipeline engineering from concept to FEED and operations support. The solution is being further developed to support the wider subsea systems design.

SubseaXpert™ can be accessed by clients through a dedicated PowerBI dashboard which allows the user to view the inputs, methods and results of the various assessments performed.

Yes, but this cost is a fraction of the reduced cost of engineering hours, thereby resulting in significant net savings to the customer. The cost of SubseaXpert™ includes third-party technical applications such as Ansys and Abaqus,) which are integrated with the solution.

Wood's track record in the industry is unparalleled, and we bring extensive knowledge and practical experience from both subsea development and process sides.

We have more than 60 years of experience in oil & gas production and 40 years of experience specifically developing subsea projects.

With a portfolio of over 300 subsea projects, Wood has demonstrated expertise in diverse environments, adapting to various regulatory and market conditions to deliver optimal solutions.

Our interdisciplinary team includes experts in subsea, geotechnical, pipeline, environmental and structural engineering, as well as flow assurance, control systems, project management, HSE, cost estimation and economic analysis.

We have extensive experience navigating the supply chain for subsea tiebacks and export systems, including sourcing reliable materials, managing logistics and ensuring timely delivery of components.

Wood has established relationships with leading material supply vendors, which allows us to keep up with the latest manufacturing capabilities, production timelines and technology developments.

We focus on economies of scale, process optimisation and strategic sourcing to reduce costs.

Our SubseaXpert™ design tool applies expert-validated models to rapidly find optimal design configurations, resulting in significant cost savings.

Additionally, we explore innovative financing and operational models to achieve competitive development costs.

We can be involved from start to finish and can take on a variety of roles, from the conceptual screening phase through feasibility and pre-FEED/FEED. We can provide detailed design, acting as engineer of record and through project commissioning to operation.

We can also act as owner’s engineer through all project phases or as independent engineer providing due diligence for project finance or acquisition.

In addition, our subsea design, commissioning and operational teams are available to support your project throughout its lifecycle.

As a publicly traded company, our financial health is transparent. We have strong credit ratings and a proven track record.