Key Projects

Anadarko - Marco Polo tie backs

GATE,LLC was commissioned by Anadarko to commission two well that would be tied back to the Marco Polo TLP. Under the scope of work GATE,LLC produced:

Startup plan and procedures for the Green Canyon (GC) 518 Well #1.
Startup plan and procedures for the Genghis Khan (GK) Well #2.
Subsea operating guidelines that includes all aspects of operation including chemical treatments for flow assurance, shutdown, startups and normal operations that will ensure the integrity of the wells and the entire system. By using a systems approach and taking into consideration every aspect of the production, the manuals will serve as a go by for the entire platform production.
GATE,LLC undertook all activities associated with the Anadarko Marco Polo tie backs considering all other simultaneous and dependant operations and executed the startups without hitch.

Shenzi manifold K tieback:

BHP Billiton Manifold K was also to the Marco Polo TLP. GATE,LLC produced a series of Subsea operating guidelines to address well integrity for startup, Reservoir Management, flow assurance, requirements of the Subsea System, Routine and Non-Routine Operations for the all wells on this manifold. This included:
- Wells and manifold Startup plan and procedure to handle warm or cold startup.
- Detailed overview of the chemical system for Shenzi fluids present on the Marco Polo TLP. This allowed fluids to be treated consistently so that both Anadarko and Shenzi wells could be treated adequately.

BHP Billiton - Neptune and Shenzi

Souring potential determination. GATE, LLC was commissioned to determine the potential risks involved in waterflood for the Neptune and Shenzi Fields as a means to determine weather water flood was a viable option for enhanced oil recovery. Based on this GATE,LLC developed of a water flood philosophy document that details the problems and possible mitigation procedures for BHP's use in determining whether or not to waterflood.

Chemical vendor technical and business evaluation. GATE, LLC undertook a rigorous qualification process on behalf of the client to BHP to procure the best suited chemical and chemical support for both the Neptune and Shenzi assets based on their fluids, and system along with their specific operational needs.

GATE,LLC based on the Neptune and Shenzi system produced a comprehensive operation guide that includes all aspects of operation including chemical systems and flow assurance, shutdown, startups and normal operations that will ensure the integrity of the system. By using a systems approach and taking into consideration every aspect of the production, the manuals will serve as a go by for the entire platform production.

Chemical Management Plan to guide operations for chemical procurement, documentation of chemical usage, and responses to any upset throughout startup and normal operations. This also includes a review of the chemical system to ensure operability, efficient use of chemical and no upsets caused by chemical system performance.

BP Pipeline - Flow Assurance Management Program (FAMP)

BP Pipeline oversees the operation of 9 total oil and gas export systems from more than 20 different platforms in the GoM. The pipeline systems transport almost half-million barrels of oil and hundreds of mmscf of gas daily from the producing platforms to onshore processing facilities.

The FAMP has been developed for BP Pipeline assets to ensure proper working of the high volume systems by organizing and delegating between operators, facilities, laboratories and onshore offices. By facilitating the review of system performance and operation, this information provides the basis of a continuous improvement approach.

Pipeline management is made possible from shore by real -time online monitoring of flow parameters. GATE, LLC has worked closely with BP to develop a progressive and ongoing sampling and surveillance strategy.

GATE, LLC aids BP Pipeline in monitoring the flow through pipelines and in supporting the optimization and maintenance of a very complex transport infrastructure system. This includes aspects such as:

Crude quality
Internal corrosion control
Chemical usage and chemical optimization strategies
Preventing solid and hydrate formation
Maintenance pigging plans and lost pig retrieval strategies
Asset integrity

Chevron - Chemical Vendor Selection and Chemical System Design

GATE,LLC leverages each chemical vendors based on performance of chemical, lab, ability to meet supply demands and upsets, price, experience and key criteria important to contractor and operator. GATE, LLC designed the process with the following key parameters:

Completely confidential
Fair
Will not interfere with other aspects of Feed and Pre-Feed
Organize vendor site visits
Initiating chemical testing and benchmarking program
Review all vendor submissions
Conduct vendor technical qualification

GATE, LLC will evaluate each chemical vendor for two phases of development Chemical Support during feed and pre-feed, and Chemical Selection and Support to aid operations. The phases and all associated selection criteria are completely independent of each other; a vendor may be more suitable for pre feed work but does not necessarily become the best to support operations.

GATE, LLC is continuously improving the process and has done similar work for other Chevron assets. GATE,LLC also implemented a selection philosophy for BHP Billiton's Neptune and Shenzi developments based on GATE,LLC recommended practice and BHP requirements in the GoM.

These projects opened the door for a new and interesting scope of work offered only by GATE,LLC and is of tremendous value to the client as well as the chemical vendors who have responded positively to the process we have implemented (both the vendor chosen and the ones that were not)

Chevron - Materials and Corrosion Support

As part of the scope of work, GATE, LLC was commissioned to develop two comprehensive, user-friendly screening tools to guide subsea flowline materials selection decisions for wet gas and water flood during concept selection and design using field specific data.

The tool serves not only for material selection but also as training for junior engineers demonstrating what goes into making accurate material selections from a systems approach (does not just consider the immediate impact of the material but how it will impact the entire production facility).

The tool was designed with GATE,LLC's systems approach thinking to consider water flood and wet gas material selection not just locally but also on its impact on the entire production including potential upsets to other areas that may not be considered by a materials expert. It includes corrosion and chemical to combat integrity issues, material availability and time to acquire material (purchasing dept), lay method (installation), CAPEX and OPEX (accounting), available technology and its limits along with detailed engineering calculations to determine optimum sizing based on known parameters.

Kerr McGee - Red Hawk Sand Management Program

GATE,LLC undertook erosion and corrosion modeling in the flowline to develop sand production allowance and an erosion corrosion risk assessment. From this a maximum rate of Gas production that will allow the asset to maintain it design life was determined. This enabled the operator to safely increase production by 25% to without additional risk to the asset thereby increasing the Net Present Value of the asset.

Developed a sand a management plan which includes: Alarm response sequence, solids analysis sequence, operator training, roles and responsibilities, action item summary and key performance indicators be implemented in the event of sand production.

The system included all the equipment necessary to implement a progressive sand detection, monitoring, sampling and analysis strategy on the platform.

Operators were given a corrosion/erosion overview and were trained in sand equipment operation, sampling and analysis procedures, and alarm response to minimize upsets due to false alarms.

Shell - Rocky Umbilical Post-Mortem

GATE, LLC undertook an investigations into recovered, decommissioned equipment to determine both the cause of failure and investigate integrity of components that may not have failed. This information has proven invaluable to operators who can base the performance of other equipment of a similar type and construction in a similar environment. This was significant as the recovered materials ranged from the mud-line, to sea surface and topsides.

The investigation included: A materials integrity assessment of all recovered components, a materials integrity assessment of the condition of the structural mid-line and end terminations, noting any influence of exposure in the vicinity of the exposure, comparison of the respective degree of degradation for those sections deployed in atmospheric conditions, seawater and seabed zones, and laboratory test to identify the compositions any peculiar materials present.

GATE,LLC was also a part of an effort to determine the performance of cathodic protection on subsea equipment. The investigation also looked at other forms of corrosion protection used on different parts of another decommissioned subsea equipment. This investigation was able to not only determine but also quantify the benefits offered by cathodic protection through a comparison of the areas that were protected by the cathode to those that were electrically isolated form the cathode and did not benefit form cathodic protection.

Shell EPP Support - Cathodic Protection Design

GATE, LLC provides Shell with cathodic protection design support for all their subsea projects. This includes coating selection (anti-corrosion and flow assurance) and qualification, which also involves interfacing with the coating yard. An important aspect of this operation is carrying out comprehensive quality audits of anode foundries and coating plants around the world.

GATE, LLC specializes in performing detailed anode design and anode placement during installation for all subsea equipment (bracelet anodes and stand-off/flush mounted anodes).

GATE, LLC also supports CP system monitoring once the flowlines/pipelines have been installed and designs retrofit CP solutions to enable design life extensions of existing facilities.

Williams Pipeline - Tahiti Gas Export Line

GATE,LLC determined the risks and mitigation of risk associated with wet parking and flooding of a gas export pipeline with unfiltered seawater. The key concerns are corrosion due to microbes, oxygen corrosion, and drying to prevent hydrate formation when the pipe goes into service. Three options were presented to the client based on industry experience, available technology, and system parameters with associated risks and limitations of each.

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	Key Projects Anadarko - Marco Polo tie backs GATE,LLC was commissioned by Anadarko to commission two well that would be tied back to the Marco Polo TLP. Under the scope of work GATE,LLC produced: Startup plan and procedures for the Green Canyon (GC) 518 Well #1. Startup plan and procedures for the Genghis Khan (GK) Well #2. Subsea operating guidelines that includes all aspects of operation including chemical treatments for flow assurance, shutdown, startups and normal operations that will ensure the integrity of the wells and the entire system. By using a systems approach and taking into consideration every aspect of the production, the manuals will serve as a go by for the entire platform production. GATE,LLC undertook all activities associated with the Anadarko Marco Polo tie backs considering all other simultaneous and dependant operations and executed the startups without hitch. Shenzi manifold K tieback: BHP Billiton Manifold K was also to the Marco Polo TLP. GATE,LLC produced a series of Subsea operating guidelines to address well integrity for startup, Reservoir Management, flow assurance, requirements of the Subsea System, Routine and Non-Routine Operations for the all wells on this manifold. This included: Wells and manifold Startup plan and procedure to handle warm or cold startup. Detailed overview of the chemical system for Shenzi fluids present on the Marco Polo TLP. This allowed fluids to be treated consistently so that both Anadarko and Shenzi wells could be treated adequately. BHP Billiton - Neptune and Shenzi Souring potential determination. GATE, LLC was commissioned to determine the potential risks involved in waterflood for the Neptune and Shenzi Fields as a means to determine weather water flood was a viable option for enhanced oil recovery. Based on this GATE,LLC developed of a water flood philosophy document that details the problems and possible mitigation procedures for BHP's use in determining whether or not to waterflood. Chemical vendor technical and business evaluation. GATE, LLC undertook a rigorous qualification process on behalf of the client to BHP to procure the best suited chemical and chemical support for both the Neptune and Shenzi assets based on their fluids, and system along with their specific operational needs. GATE,LLC based on the Neptune and Shenzi system produced a comprehensive operation guide that includes all aspects of operation including chemical systems and flow assurance, shutdown, startups and normal operations that will ensure the integrity of the system. By using a systems approach and taking into consideration every aspect of the production, the manuals will serve as a go by for the entire platform production. Chemical Management Plan to guide operations for chemical procurement, documentation of chemical usage, and responses to any upset throughout startup and normal operations. This also includes a review of the chemical system to ensure operability, efficient use of chemical and no upsets caused by chemical system performance. BP Pipeline - Flow Assurance Management Program (FAMP) BP Pipeline oversees the operation of 9 total oil and gas export systems from more than 20 different platforms in the GoM. The pipeline systems transport almost half-million barrels of oil and hundreds of mmscf of gas daily from the producing platforms to onshore processing facilities. The FAMP has been developed for BP Pipeline assets to ensure proper working of the high volume systems by organizing and delegating between operators, facilities, laboratories and onshore offices. By facilitating the review of system performance and operation, this information provides the basis of a continuous improvement approach. Pipeline management is made possible from shore by real -time online monitoring of flow parameters. GATE, LLC has worked closely with BP to develop a progressive and ongoing sampling and surveillance strategy. GATE, LLC aids BP Pipeline in monitoring the flow through pipelines and in supporting the optimization and maintenance of a very complex transport infrastructure system. This includes aspects such as: Crude quality Internal corrosion control Chemical usage and chemical optimization strategies Preventing solid and hydrate formation Maintenance pigging plans and lost pig retrieval strategies Asset integrity Chevron - Chemical Vendor Selection and Chemical System Design GATE,LLC leverages each chemical vendors based on performance of chemical, lab, ability to meet supply demands and upsets, price, experience and key criteria important to contractor and operator. GATE, LLC designed the process with the following key parameters: Completely confidential Fair Will not interfere with other aspects of Feed and Pre-Feed Organize vendor site visits Initiating chemical testing and benchmarking program Review all vendor submissions Conduct vendor technical qualification GATE, LLC will evaluate each chemical vendor for two phases of development Chemical Support during feed and pre-feed, and Chemical Selection and Support to aid operations. The phases and all associated selection criteria are completely independent of each other; a vendor may be more suitable for pre feed work but does not necessarily become the best to support operations. GATE, LLC is continuously improving the process and has done similar work for other Chevron assets. GATE,LLC also implemented a selection philosophy for BHP Billiton's Neptune and Shenzi developments based on GATE,LLC recommended practice and BHP requirements in the GoM. These projects opened the door for a new and interesting scope of work offered only by GATE,LLC and is of tremendous value to the client as well as the chemical vendors who have responded positively to the process we have implemented (both the vendor chosen and the ones that were not) Chevron - Materials and Corrosion Support As part of the scope of work, GATE, LLC was commissioned to develop two comprehensive, user-friendly screening tools to guide subsea flowline materials selection decisions for wet gas and water flood during concept selection and design using field specific data. The tool serves not only for material selection but also as training for junior engineers demonstrating what goes into making accurate material selections from a systems approach (does not just consider the immediate impact of the material but how it will impact the entire production facility). The tool was designed with GATE,LLC's systems approach thinking to consider water flood and wet gas material selection not just locally but also on its impact on the entire production including potential upsets to other areas that may not be considered by a materials expert. It includes corrosion and chemical to combat integrity issues, material availability and time to acquire material (purchasing dept), lay method (installation), CAPEX and OPEX (accounting), available technology and its limits along with detailed engineering calculations to determine optimum sizing based on known parameters. Kerr McGee - Red Hawk Sand Management Program GATE,LLC undertook erosion and corrosion modeling in the flowline to develop sand production allowance and an erosion corrosion risk assessment. From this a maximum rate of Gas production that will allow the asset to maintain it design life was determined. This enabled the operator to safely increase production by 25% to without additional risk to the asset thereby increasing the Net Present Value of the asset. Developed a sand a management plan which includes: Alarm response sequence, solids analysis sequence, operator training, roles and responsibilities, action item summary and key performance indicators be implemented in the event of sand production. The system included all the equipment necessary to implement a progressive sand detection, monitoring, sampling and analysis strategy on the platform. Operators were given a corrosion/erosion overview and were trained in sand equipment operation, sampling and analysis procedures, and alarm response to minimize upsets due to false alarms. Shell - Rocky Umbilical Post-Mortem GATE, LLC undertook an investigations into recovered, decommissioned equipment to determine both the cause of failure and investigate integrity of components that may not have failed. This information has proven invaluable to operators who can base the performance of other equipment of a similar type and construction in a similar environment. This was significant as the recovered materials ranged from the mud-line, to sea surface and topsides. The investigation included: A materials integrity assessment of all recovered components, a materials integrity assessment of the condition of the structural mid-line and end terminations, noting any influence of exposure in the vicinity of the exposure, comparison of the respective degree of degradation for those sections deployed in atmospheric conditions, seawater and seabed zones, and laboratory test to identify the compositions any peculiar materials present. GATE,LLC was also a part of an effort to determine the performance of cathodic protection on subsea equipment. The investigation also looked at other forms of corrosion protection used on different parts of another decommissioned subsea equipment. This investigation was able to not only determine but also quantify the benefits offered by cathodic protection through a comparison of the areas that were protected by the cathode to those that were electrically isolated form the cathode and did not benefit form cathodic protection. Shell EPP Support - Cathodic Protection Design GATE, LLC provides Shell with cathodic protection design support for all their subsea projects. This includes coating selection (anti-corrosion and flow assurance) and qualification, which also involves interfacing with the coating yard. An important aspect of this operation is carrying out comprehensive quality audits of anode foundries and coating plants around the world. GATE, LLC specializes in performing detailed anode design and anode placement during installation for all subsea equipment (bracelet anodes and stand-off/flush mounted anodes). GATE, LLC also supports CP system monitoring once the flowlines/pipelines have been installed and designs retrofit CP solutions to enable design life extensions of existing facilities. Williams Pipeline - Tahiti Gas Export Line GATE,LLC determined the risks and mitigation of risk associated with wet parking and flooding of a gas export pipeline with unfiltered seawater. The key concerns are corrosion due to microbes, oxygen corrosion, and drying to prevent hydrate formation when the pipe goes into service. Three options were presented to the client based on industry experience, available technology, and system parameters with associated risks and limitations of each.
CORROSION & MATERIALS CHEMICAL SYSTEMS RESERVOIR & PRODUCTION ENGINEERING WATERFLOOD FLOW ASSURANCE COMMISSIONING & STARTUP