Analysis of Alternatives for the Selection of Offshore Production Platforms. Application in the Colombian Caribbean

The development of this article consists of the application of an analysis sequence which consists of four criteria that can be considered when developing an offshore oil field. First, a detailed study is made of the different types of platforms that can be used for the hydrocarbon production in deep and ultra-deep waters. Then, the selection criteria for each type of platform are developed depending on factors such as the characteristics of the reservoir, the technical requirements, and the meta-oceanic conditions of the site. Subsequently, it seeks to identify the basic facilities that the offshore facilities must-have, and a series of scenarios are proposed for the production of the fields taking as a reference the experiences of the Liwan field -1 located in deep waters of the South China Sea. The application of a scenario for the development of the Orca field is suggested, considering the needs of infrastructure, production systems, and facilities. In addition, the variables influenced by the meta-oceanic conditions of the area are analyzed. Thus, it analyzes all the variables that can drive the selection of a production platform in the northernmost seas of the country, specifically in the waters of the Colombian Caribbean Sea.