Managing Through an Innovative Vision

Abstract This article presents a view from 2001 to nowadays of the Santos Basin, Block (BS-4) Atlanta Field development in water depth of 1,550m, 14º API, the deepest heavy oil field in the world, overviewing its challenges, constraints, development and implementation methodology and concepts. Following the Early Production System (EPS), the Full Field Development (FFD) evaluation did an active market survey and selected the redeployment of an opportunity FPSO and consequent EPS extension due to market conditions and COVID impacts. To secure the opportunity FPSO an Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (EPOA) was signed. Synchronized interactions with different Tenderers helped to construct an integrated view for the FFD solution, mapping threats and opportunities, schedule and budget reserves based on risk assessments were applied as project development tools. The early engagement of potential Suppliers was a key factor for success. Reviewing and integrating FFD Project during tendering phase and running simultaneous tenders envisaging a complete frame for the Final Investment Decision (FID), resulting in a unique contractual set. Team building with the main contractors was done from the start, with integrating and engaging Steering Committees until its final stages. Interfaces Management as Operator's own scope of work (SoW) to anticipate problems (and provide timely solutions), avoid late design changes, reducing schedules conflicts and scope grey zones (with accountability allocation), making sure that all parts will fit together. Connecting all the above, an integrated schedule was construed for Final Investment Decision (FID), providing freedom for contractors to plan, ever looking the interfaces, and integrating schedules from different contractors to manage the Project critical path and achieve the FID targets. All the above solutions were managed in an innovative vision to overcome the usual challenges of a mega project, with the added difficulties of being conducted by a Junior Oil Company with limited budget and imperative requirement to get confidence of major suppliers. The achievements within the expected budget and schedule proved the effectiveness of this innovative approach.