Students develop a broad understanding of fluid properties that determine the design parameters of offshore petroleum production system and an in-depth knowledge of the modern methods used to predict thermodynamic and transport properties of petroleum fluids. Based on this understanding students are able to describe in detail a number of different offshore petroleum production system, including the advantages and drawbacks of each facility. They acquire an appreciation of the importance fluids-system interaction and will understand the various types of deepwater petroleum production facilities.

This unit begins with properties of natural gases and crude oils, fluid phase behavior, petroleum fluid characterization, and then moves to an introduction to offshore petroleum production system. It defines key requirements for the offshore petroleum production system, and describes methods for offshore system selection. The core lectures on subsea system embrace tree and well-head systems; subsea structure; subsea control systems and umbilical; and future subsea technology. The related disciplines needed to put a system together are described in lectures on subsea system development, system integration, and subsea field operation.

This comprises continuous assessment and an end-of-semester examination. The assignment is in the context of an industry report for the development of an oil and gas fields. A modeling project in the computer-based software is given to the class on the first day, and as the unit progresses more aspect of the fluid solution can be solved. Workshop sessions are scheduled during the lectures to facilitate general discussion on the assignment. Assessment of the project is based upon the calculation results of each student and will be made before an end-of-semester examination.