Technical Sessions

Challenge 1: Maximize value of existing hubs/infrastructure:

– Existing infrastructure has limited lifetime. Active near field exploration, maturing resources to production and increased oil recovery is time critical to maximize use and value of the existing infrastructure. New reserves, lower cost and more efficient wells can support infrastructure lifetime extensions, upgrades and better resource utilization.

Topics may include:

• Near field exploration success
• The PP&A (Permanent Plugging & Abandonment) challenge – how to reduce cost
• New developments and case studies in IOR/EOR
• Extended reach drilling and well technology
• Completion technology

Challenge 2: Subsurface and drilling expertise

– The energy transition – utilizing subsurface and drilling expertise.

The technologies and expertise that are used to produce oil and gas today are many of the same as are required in the energy transition. How can this expertise and technology be utilized?

Topics may include:

• Storing and monitoring CO2 in offshore reservoirs
• CO2 wells technology
• Re-use of reservoirs and infrastructure

Challenge 3: Research and tech towards net-zero

– The future – subsurface and D&W research and new technology development that fits with a net zero emissions future.

Good collaboration between academia, research and industry is essential to meet the future challenges in the oil and gas industry. The industry will be challenged with lowering emissions and carbon footprint. Increased effectiveness and cost reduction will be required to be robust against oil & gas price fluctuations in an energy transition. How can we collaborate to meet these challenges?

Topics may include: 

• Digitalization – unlocking hidden values through machine learning, “big-data” and artificial intelligence
• New technologies – from development to commercialization
• Collaboration between research centers/Universities and the O&G to meet the future challenges

Challenge 4: Fast-tracking subsea technology

– How do we unlock the constrains for faster development and adoption of subsea technology

Topics may include:

• Collaboration between operators, equipment providers, service companies and research institutes.
• How can we create new playing grounds?
• How to reduce time from exploration to first production?
• Case studies on how complex collaboration has been handled
• How to accelerate the speed of standardization

Challenge 5: Sustainable energy transition with subsea technology

– Can the offshore oil & gas industry technology offer solutions into the energy transition?

Several new energy projects are under planning and development globally. Such investments are accelerating the change towards net Zero emissions. The Ocean space has a unique set of challenges and requirements that the traditional Oil and Gas operators, equipment providers and services companies are in possession of.

Topics may include:

• What competency and capabilities are required?
• Methodologies and technology can be transferred/replicated.
• Requirements and regulations across geografical regions

Challenge 7: Innovative greenfield solutions

– Solid value creation from greenfields solutions is required to have support and TRUST in the society. How can we work together to make new developments cost effective and with a low carbon footprint?

Topics may include:

• New concepts with low CO2 footprint
  – New platform concepts with lower weights
  – UWP (unmanned well platform), NUI (normally unmanned installation), UPP (unmanned production platform)
  – Single satellite solutions
  – Full subsea
• CO2 footprint
  – Energy efficient operation
  – Electrification (power from shore, offshore wind)
• New ways of collaborating and new business models
• Standardization of solutions and equipment

Challenge 8: Innovative brownfield solutions

– Solid value creation from brownfield solutions is required to have support and TRUST in the society. How can we work together to make brownfields cost effective with a low carbon footprint?

Topics may include:

• CO2 footprint
  – Energy efficient operation
  – Electrification (power from shore, offshore wind)
• New ways of collaborating and new business models
• Standardization of solutions and equipment
• Autonomous operation
• Digital twins, 3D animations/models
• New vs. old equipment – e.g. control systems, safety systems
• Regulatory challenges
• Obsolescence management, software upgrades, cyber security
• Condition-based maintenance – spare part management – 3D printing
• Refurbishment and/or re-use of existing facilities in new locations
• Integrated surface/subsurface models

Challenge 9:Innovative decommissioning

– How can we work together to deliver safe and environmentally friendly field abandonment at a reasonable cost? What are the latest initiatives and technology developments within this area?

Topics may include:

• Recycling of platforms and equipment
  – Possibilities and restrictions under current legal framework
  – Circular economy (reuse)
  – Waste management
• Cleaning of pipelines
• Effective methods for removal infield pipelines and umbilicals
• Cutting methods large pipelines
• Environmental aspects
  – Alternative fuel (alternatives to diesel)
• Decommissioning strategies/business models/alternative uses
• Risk management of decommission projects
• Contracting strategies
• Safety and major accident risk in decommissioning
  – New ways of working on disposal site- by more automated and mechanical operations that move people out of “line of fire”
• Optimized P&A techniques and methods: Rig versus rigless techniques; cutting methods; plug materials etc.

Challenge 10:Reducing emissions in the transition towards new energy solutions

– How can the oil industry use their experience to reduce offshore GHG emissions in the transition phase towards new energy solutions?

Topics may include:

• Use of Hydrogen gas as energy efficient fuel to reduce emission, including safe operations
• Use of Gas turbines with CCS, including CCS for IOR
• Offshore wind turbines connected to oil and gas infrastructure
  
  

Challenge 11: Power transfer offshore

– How can industry deliver energy efficient long-distance transfer of power to offshore installations?​

Topics may include:

• How to mitigate loss of power through electrical cable routed over long distances
• Energy efficient and cost-effective long-distance transfer using AC/DC cables as an enabler for electrification offshore
• AC cable design
• Dynamic cables design
• Subsea connectors
  
  

Challenge 12: Lower emissions from drilling and well 

– How can drilling and well operations become more energy efficient?​

Topics may include:

• Innovative drilling and well solutions that will require less energy. The energy efficiency of the drilling process is low with current technology.
• Rig modifications to lower emissions
  
  

Challenge 13: Water management​

– How can water management for offshore installations secure energy efficient operations and low emissions?​

Topics may include:

• How to achieve reduced water production
• Initiatives to improve energy efficiency
• Process capacity and energy consumption
• Strategies and techniques for water monitoring

Challenge 14: Digital green transition

– Data and digital solutions to accelerating the energy transition and sustainability agenda. ​

The industries that power the world’s economies need to transform now to make the vision of a greener, smarter second half of the 21st century a reality. Data and digital solutions will be an important factor to make the energy industry more sustainable and accelerate new business areas.

Topics may include:

• How are energy companies using data to build trust in and strengthen their sustainability agenda?
• What innovative digital solutions are energy companies using to accelerate their sustainability agenda and accelerate new business areas?
• What technology and digital tracking and measuring systems are in development that will enable transparency about emissions in the value chain for ​O&G companies, renewable energy producers, and energy storage providers (batteries & hydrogen), and other technologies (e.g. carbon capture)?
• How can digital solutions help integrate new, sustainable technologies (e.g. carbon capture, renewable power sources, batteries) into the existing O&G value chain ​to make it more sustainable? What are good examples of how this has been done?
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Challenge 15: Autonomus operations

– Is the industry ready to trust autonomous operations?​

Autonomous operations have a huge potential to drive down cost and increase safety in offshore operations. However, growing use of robots, drones and other remote controlled devices also increases the potential impact of cyber attacks and sets requirements to who you can trust.

Topics may include:

• How are energy companies and suppliers approaching the cyber security threat as more and more operational technology (OT) are connected to the cloud?
• How can the lessons learned from physical integrity assessments be used for assessing OT security risk?
• What’s required from regulatory frameworks to accelerate use of autonomous operations?

Challenge 16: Value from data sharing

– How can we realize the value from data sharing?

Analysts estimate that $95 billion of value can be achieved by collaboration that would involve sharing data between O&G industry peers and suppliers. For example, it can improve engineering efficiency by 20% and build costs by 15%. However, there are both technical, commercial, business model and trust based barriers.

Topics may include:

• How are energy companies and suppliers working on overcoming the barriers to capture the value potential from data sharing?
• What is required on the commercial and technical side to build trust between the parties engaging in either side of a new business model?

Challenge 17: Offshore wind based on O&G

– Can technology from the O&G industry contribute to a sustainable and cost effective development and operation of Offshore Wind Farms?​

Offshore Wind Farm developments have many similarities with offshore O&G field developments. This new energy source will however be challenged by it’s profitability. The experience and technology from the O&G industry could be a valuable contributor to make the offshore wind farms profitable and sustainable over time.

Topics may include:

• FEED, concepts and feasibility studies
• Technical solutions/studies/patented technology
• Operational models
• O&M strategies
• EPCI deliveries
  
  

Challenge 18: Green energy carriers

– How can experience from downstream O&G be used to realize projects/installations for Green Energy Carriers? ​

Bio-fuels, ammonia and hydrogen are all examples of green energy carriers. The knowledge in the O&G industry related to process and process technology can be used to develop infrastructure and technical solutions for new plants, pipelines, distribution and other transport solutions including terminals.​

Topics may include:

• Safety standards and criterias for handling of green energy carriers​
• EPCI experience and models​
• Technical solutions/studies/patented technology​
• Fiscal measurement technologies​
• Statutory aspects
  
  

Challenge 19: Suppliers and the value chain

– New Value Chains in the renewables market are challenging the existing supplier regime in the O&G market. How can technology act as the common denominator for both markets to drive the green shift?

The renewables marked might have a different set up than the traditional O&G market. Operators and suppliers are now joining forces to be a part of this journey. 

Topics may include:

• What changes are required in the supply chain?
• What does the new operating model look like
• Technologies relevant for both O&G and Renewables?
• Current JVs and their value proposition?
• Specific requirements for Subsea renewable industry?

Challenge 20: Carbon capture and storage (CCS): Solutions and support

– CCS has important emission reduction technologies that can be used within the entire energy industry.​

CCS is more than a tool for decarbonizing oil and gas production. How can CCS support decarbonizing in industries such as iron and steel, waste incineration, cement, hydrogen production, gas power plants, ammonia and more. ​

Topics may include: ​

• New development in carbon capture technologies​
• CO2 transport solutions and energy efficiency for ships, and new low carbon fuels (ammonia, hydrogen, methanol)​
• Monitoring technology of storage wells​
• Marine monitoring systems for carbon storage

Challenge 21: Developing renewable energies lies at the very core of the energy transition.​

– A genuine shift is taking place, new development of technologies and solutions are crucial to support net zero goals. How can new solutions and technologies increase the share of renewable energy in the energy system. ​​

Topics may include:​

• Hydro, wind, tides solution​
• Energy control /storage technologies​
• Hydrogen ​
• Solar energy​
• Electrification of sectors