Conceptual engineering, perhaps more than any other phase of a project’s development plan or any part of it (whether design rationale, drilling, completion, production or work-over etc) has the most potential for both radically reducing costs and for maximising hydrocarbon output.

Through thinking and drawing upon our breadth and depth of world-wide experience, IDEAS are able to provide a range of both innovative and traditional solutions to minimise cost and maximise production without compromising safety. For example, IDEAS’ experience base incorporates the conceptual engineering phases of horizontal, slimhole, coiled tubing, multilateral and under-balanced drilling when these projects were only on the drawing boards of European Operators in the 1980’s. And now they are established solutions, providing cost-effective projects, providing they are applied correctly – in the conceptual engineering phase of a project’s development. The same applies to the major step of moving from cemented liners and expensive perforating runs on horizontal wells to openhole completions (fully supported by rock mechanics studies of course) on long-reach horizontal wells which can save millions. But how many Operators will do something different from their traditional norm? IDEAS can help.

Most recently, IDEAS experience base includes work relating to the above subjects as well as the conceptual engineering phase of the prestigious HPHT Elgin / Franklin Project, Central North Sea.

In a nutshell, emphasis is placed upon innovative lateral thinking fully supported by traditional thinking and experience in a bid to maximise solution cost-effectiveness.