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The water is very deep and the estimated reserves of oil and natural gas are relatively small.
However, as a result of improvements in platform technology and design, the development of the field is now economically viable.
Leme will be developed using the Deep Concrete Floater (DCF) concept. This is a semisubmersible adapted for use in production. The use of a platform of this kind, as opposed to a traditional fixed structure, will provide substantial savings in both construction and installation costs.
The platform has been designed specifically for the Leme Field by Samex Offshore Engineering. The DCF is scheduled for completion in 9 months’ time, when it will be floated to the site. The field lies 2 670 metres below the seabed. The depth of the sea at this point is 270 metres. The first oil is expected from Leme in two years’ time, and production is scheduled to build up to a peak of 45 000 barrels per day.
Answer the questions:
1.Why was the Leme Field judged to be uneconomic?
2.What makes this field economically viable now?
3.Why has Samex’s work attracted the interest of Petrobras, the Brazilian State Oil
Company?
4.How is the situation with oil production expected to change after using semisubmersible platform?
Exercise 1. Find the definition for each of the words below
1) the search |
a) the highest point, level |
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2) reserves of oil |
b) in or on the sea |
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3) continental shelf |
c) moved in or on the water |
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4) offshore |
d) a construction that doesn’t move |
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5) |
(an oil)platform |
e) the exploration |
6) |
(an oil)field |
f) amounts, quantities of oil |
7) a semi-submersible |
g) the bottom of the sea |
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8) a fixed structure |
h) a construction in the sea |
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9) onshore |
i) the bottom of sea, near the coast |
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10)floated |
j) large round containers |
11)seabed |
k) on land |
12)barrels (per day) |
l) a structure that is half underwater but doesn’t |
13)peak |
touch the bottom |
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m) an area where oil has been found |
Exercise 2. Find words or phrases in the extract that have the same meaning:
more distant |
further |
water that goes down |
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a longer way |
deeper water |
a) at first |
..................... |
b) because of |
..................... |
c) the noun from “deep” |
..................... |
d) profitable |
..................... |
e) idea |
...................... |
f) changed |
..................... |
g) instead of, in place of |
...................... |
h) especially |
...................... |
i) to increase |
...................... |
j) a high point of |
...................... |
We talked to Red Monro, Samex’s Project Director on the Leme contract. We asked him about his company’s involvement in the Leme project.
ΘListen to the recording and answer the questions.
1.Why do Petrobras subcontract Samex?
2.Are semi-submersibles often used in production?
3.Why is it more profitable to use a floating platform than a fixed one?
4.Why is Brazil going ahead with Leme?
5.Are there penalty clauses in the contract? What are they?
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Exercise 3. Read the notes of the interview.
The following words have been omitted. Write them in.
at by enough for if in per too with the and
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Interview with Red Monro, Samex’s Project Director Leme |
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Samex are subcontracted ... |
Petrobras. Samex are experts ... |
building semi- |
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submersibles. Using |
semi-submersibles saves time ... money. In |
the past, semi- |
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submersibles were used only ... |
drilling appraisal wells. |
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Samex developed .. DCF concept. |
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The DCF is big and strong ... |
to support production. A fixed platform would be ... |
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expensive to use on Leme. Leme is a marginal field, 45 000 barrels |
... day. The |
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Forties Field in the North Sea produced 400 000 barrels per day ... its peak. |
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Brazil is going ahead |
... Leme because it must save foreign exchange. |
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... Samex don’t meet the scheduled dates, there will be no penalties to pay. |
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These notes are not completely correct. How many errors are there? Correct them. |
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Θ Samex’s financial success is not only based on its pioneering work in the field of semisubmersibles. The company’s prices are also very competitive. The management maintains these price levels by ruthlessly controlling costs. This includes staff and labour costs. The Managing Director, Dick Brownlow, insists that staffing levels are kept to a minimum. This policy can cause problems. On 19 June, the following telex reaches the company’s head office, addressed to the Exploration and Production Director. It is from the Assistant Project Director, Leme.
Read the telex
14.00 19 JUNE FROM GARY WESTWOOD ATTN LES JARMAN
REGRET TO ANNOUNCE THAT RED MONRO HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A HELICOPTER ACCIDENT TODAY AND IS NOW IN THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL, RIO. THE PILOT WAS KILLED AND THE HELICOPTER WRITTEN OFF. BOTH WERE ON HIRE FROM PETROBAS. NO OTHER CASUALTIES. HAVE TAKEN CHARGE OF THE DAY-TO-DAY RUNNING OF THE WORK. AWAIT YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, DEEP REGRETS.
Θ Listen to the recorded telex.