Facilitation: Facilitating the development of a financial business case for multibillion dollar capital investment

When Chevron and Amec-Foster Wheeler needed an informed discussion around progress on the Captain Field Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) project, they trusted Concentric Consulting to align the business.

Brief

Essential collaboration for a world-class EOR project

68 miles north of Aberdeen, the Chevron-operated Captain Field has an average net daily production of 25,000 barrels of oil and 3 million cubic feet of natural gas per annum.

When Chevron’s EOR project team approached the end of its phase three – the Development of the Preferred alternative – an informed discussion was required around current progress, key risks, and potential obstacles to achieving the phase three objective – financial approval.

With extensive experience creating stimulating, positive environments for collaboration, Concentric became a valued facilitator for this critical step in the project’s progress.

Delivery

A bespoke review and collaboration process

Concentric began by taking a deep dive with the teams to understand current processes and any risks that would need to be collectively owned. In our experience, collective alignment and ownership is a major consideration - from agreeing objectives to deciding which engineering solution would produce the best predicted oil recovery.

Concentric also worked with the principles and specialist contractors to develop their business case and work those into the agenda.

An agenda designed for collaborative conversation

Following the review, Concentric pulled together the core team for a one-day session designed to include:

• Alignment and ownership from the senior team on the FID Phase 3 objectives
• Risk and reward sessions, where teams could set out the solution options and work through them with all parties
• Defining the collaborative approach for delivering Phase 3 objectives
• Context and information sharing on progress
• The identification of key risks and mitigations to delivering on Phase 3 objectives

Outcomes

A sustainable facilitative approach

The workshop itself led to several valuable outcomes for Chevron and AMEC. All parties were equipped with a clear understanding of current positions and a clear strategy for mitigating risks and finalising collective project deliverables. The session was also an opportunity to share key information and develop collaboration between the teams.

However, the results don’t stop when the session ends. After learning from Concentric’s facilitative approach, the leadership team is positioned to continue its collaboration and communication, further assuring themselves against FID objectives.

The Team and Client feedback

“I am impressed with the appetite for success and the quality of people.”

“Interfaces at the next level – not only the technical interfaces but at the next level of project strategy, this will part of our on boarding process for us all.”

“Tremendous value and tremendous work. Thank you, Linda & the team.”