DEEP-WATER FRONTIER: A rendering of Shell's Appomattox development in the Gulf of Mexico’s Norphlet play, which is characterised by high temperatures and pressures. The project is more than 50% complete and on track to achieve first oil by the end of the decade. Photo: Shell

Facing up to the HTHP challenge

Extreme reservoir pressures and temperatures are straining the limits of current deep-water technology — and putting pressure of a different sort on US regulators charged with approving field development plans

28 August 2017 7:27 GMT Updated 28 August 2017 7:27 GMT

By Jennifer Pallanich

A big part of Russell Hoshman’s job as technical adviser at the US Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is to anticipate new technologies operators will need to develop and produce oil and gas reserves.

The other side of his role as technical adviser for regional field operations is to review new technology issues and approve or deny deep-water operations plans (DWOPs) put forward by the operators.

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Facing up to the HTHP challenge