In addition to the intelligence, resourcefulness and experience of ATP’s people, management’s decision to invest significantly in state-of-the-art technologies has helped position ATP as a leader in its industry. 

ATP has attracted a superior team of experienced industry professionals with strong academic backgrounds.  The ability of these people to understand complex technologies combined with their years of practical offshore oilfield experience enables them to look beyond traditional development methods.  ATP’s people consistently extend existing technology to find the economic answers demanded by these times.

Innovations

ATP is in the forefront of applying current industry technology.  ATP is one of the most active operators utilizing subsea technology in the Gulf of Mexico.  ATP owns and operates 8 subsea wells that are producing or under development.

In 2001, ATP demonstrated the reliability of remote sensing in its hydraulic control systems to the satisfaction of the regulatory agency responsible for design approval and routine inspection.  A new procedure was developed and modeled to perfect and standardize the deployment of ATP’s subsea wells to economically develop smaller fields.

ATP pushed existing technology to a higher level by developing a subsea well in 500 feet of water with an 11-mile pipeline and an umbilical controlled by direct hydraulics (at the time the longest direct hydraulic system worldwide).  Prevailing wisdom held that direct hydraulics could not be used for distances beyond five to seven miles.  The cost of installing, maintaining and abandoning a fixed structure at this prospect would have been uneconomical without the tieback.  ATP was awarded Best Field Improvement Project 1999 for this innovation by Hart’s Oil and Gas World magazine.

ATP has skillfully employed the techniques of extended reach directional and horizontal drilling.  Horizontal wells have the benefit of extending an elongated completion in the most prolific section of a reservoir.  For appropriate projects ATP has also employed the utilization of horizontal subsea trees.  A horizontal subsea tree allows for full-bore vertical access to downhole equipment without having to remove the tree, greatly simplifying well bore intervention.  A horizontal subsea tree can reduce rig time, provide better well control, and reduce the risk of well control incidents.

In 2002, ATP set a new world record for the Longest Subsea Oil Tieback at its Ladybug wells in Garden Banks Block 409 in the Gulf of Mexico.  About 91,865 ft, or approximately 18 miles, of 6-in. pipe were laid in 1,360-ft waters to tie the Ladybug wells to the Garden Banks 189 “A” platform.

ATP’s industry experience has led to optimal technology integration.  Directional drilling technology has advanced ATP’s success by exposing more productive formation area to flow, which results in higher initial production rates and reducing water production in high-permeability zones.

Communication and partnership enhancement

ATP incorporates innovative use of networking and the internet for enhanced communication.  ATP operates 19 platforms, 17 of which are unmanned, using new e-based technology for speed, accuracy, remote monitoring and communication, thus dramatically lowering costs.  ATP’s use of internet technology identifies market opportunities and reduces costs through partner contact.  Online information portals and trading hubs are used to monitor pricing and capacity availability for potential savings.  Communications with partner contacts streamlines real time nomination and price information and develops crucial alliances.  The Inc./Cisco Growing with Technology Award 2000 recognized ATP’s use of internet and networking technologies.