FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT $1[100$ MARKS$]$ Read the Case Study below and answer ALL of the questions that follow

SAUDI ARAMCO: Offshore Construction in Crowded Waters

CHALLENGE

Building in Active Fields Saudi Aramco$$s Marjanand Zulufincrements are among the most ambitious oil and gas programs in the world. $($An incrementis an effort to increase the production capacity of an existing oil field.$)$ The Marjanand Zuluf offshore oil fields are the second$-$and third$-$largest offshore fields in the Arabian Gulf. Offshore construction has been identified as the biggest challenge the programs have to manage. Multiple contractors will be working simultaneously in busy and congested oil fields$$over and around live and operating subsea and above$-$water facilities$$which calls for extraordinary mitigation measures. The execution of both programs in these busy and congested offshore oil fields, while maintaining normal hydrocarbon production, is one of the most complex challenges ever taken by Saudi Aramco in offshore project execution.

CONTEXT

Complex Existing Infrastructure Both fields currently produce oil from around $100$ offshore platforms, six offshore gas$-$oil separation plants, and hundreds of kilometers of subsea pipelines and cables. Each year, both fields receive additional facilities to maintain field potential and replace aging infrastructure. Through the Marjanincrement program that has already begun and the upcoming Zulufincrement program, the two offshore fields will receive tens of additional offshore oil, gas, and water injection platforms, and additional hundreds of kilometers of subsea pipelines and cables.

APPROACH

Execution Challenges in Detail Offshore and subsea construction work poses some of the greatest technical, logistical and safety risks in the construction world. The installation of the heavy offshore structures involves extreme heavy$-$lifting operations $($up to $5,000$ tons$)$; the installation of extra heavy structures that cannot be lifted $($in the range of $10,000$ to $20,000$ tons$)$; the laying of hundreds of kilometers of subsea pipelines and cables; and the execution of specialized diving operations.

The risks associated with each activity often pose real danger to properties and personnel working in these offshore oil and gas fields. These risks multiply drastically when working within existing operational fields that are already busy with ongoing drilling and maintenance activities. The risks and challenges of executing in busy, producing offshore fields can be narrowed into three main categories:

$1.$ Marine traffic and logistics$.$

Both the Marjan and Zuluf fields are operating fields. The fields currently run busy production operations with a heavy presence of boats to support operations, maintenance and security personnel roaming around the fields. In addition, the potential projects add a substantial number of marine vessels. It is estimated that both fields have an average of $100$ boats or barges present daily.

$2.$ Interface with subsea assets.

Another challenge associated with busy offshore fields is the complex mesh of subsea pipelines and cables connecting the existing$/$producing facilities. The Marjanfield, for example, is an area that is $20$ km wide and $30$ km long. There are hundreds of kilometers of existing subsea pipelines and cables connected in this small geographical area, which already represents a highly complex achievement. Adding hundreds of kilometers of additional subsea pipelines and cables within the same area poses significant logistic and safety challenges. The new lines will need to cross existing subsea pipelines and live subsea cables. Any miscommunication or faulty installation can lead to equipment damage, harm to personnel, or interruption of ongoing operations.

$3.$ Offshore construction costs and logistics$.$

Executing normal offshore construction work is much more expensive than similar construction activities onshore. Many of the required resources are specialized barges that are rare around the world. There are only a small number of heavy$-$lift barges that can lift an excess of $5,000$ tons, and only three or four cable$-$lay barges that can lay the required length of cable in one run between the coastline and the Marjan field. The cost and logistical challenges are even greater when trying to execute these offshore construction projects in busy fields with the required safety and precaution measures.

The project management team within Saudi Aramco realized these challenges at the early stages of planning for the increment programs. $$The planning stage for Marjanand Zulufprograms was considered the most important stage of the development,$$ said Badr Burshaid, Saudi Aramco Marjan and Zulu fProgram Director. $$Saudi Aramco realized the risks associated with the huge construction operation in these operational offshore fields and the project team spent the required time to make sure every aspect is covered. Without such thorough planning and innovative handling of the risks, executing t