The energy transition is a popular concept, fettered by technology hype, political agendas, and financial influences that are inherently attached to the term ‘energy transition’. There are a lot of misconceptions and intricacies behind the strategies operators are undertaking in this energy paradigm shift. Therefore, clarity is needed on what is driving this paradigm shift: technology, policy, and cultural change. The scope of this paper focuses on defining the different strategies operators are adopting in their operations that align with transforming business models in the energy transition pathway. Predominantly segmented on various emerging technologies being implemented during operations and processes in upstream sector. Technologies that were barely considered before are now being deployed. Furthermore, explanations and considerations will be offered on emerging technology trends implemented in field operations, from subsurface drilling to completion. Lastly, the information and data presented herein are based on industry market intelligence supported by personal case studies and primary and secondary market research.
Testing the interaction between drilling/completion fluids and the formation is the key critical concept to understand the fundamental mechanism to borehole stability. Unfortunately, most industry tests lack the down-hole conditions to give realistic results. However, there is one advanced testing that can be used to directly and quantitively provide realistic borehole stability interpretations. Specifically, the pore pressure transmission (PPT) test has increasingly gained popularity providing results on how to stabilize troublesome shales by facilitating proper fluid design. In this study, precipitating aluminum chemistry is employed to develop a high-performance water-based mud (HP-WBM) that is tremendously robust and versatile – demonstrating that it can stabilize multiple shale type formations. PPT evaluations on the alumiumum complex HP-WBM was performed at 250°F with a high simulated overbalanced 1000 psi pressure differential, to fully confirm that the system can withstand high pressure influx and prevent pressure transmission into the shale pore matrix, essentially reducing induced borehole instability. PPT testing was performed on two different types of shales, Pierre Type II and Mancos shale exhibit noteworthy differences in physical, chemical, mineralogical, and mechanical properties, making them ideal shales to study the versatility of the aluminum complex drilling fluid. Because of the pore-plugging capabilities, the fluid can establish, an improved semipermeable membrane, allowing for the counterbalance of hydraulic flow into the shale via osmotic backflow. When compared to the base (water-based mud), a significant delay factor is observed using the aluminum complex fluid, indicating significant reduction in pressure transmission into the shale pore matrix. An invert emulsion system was also tested for comparison and showed the Al-HPWBM's was able to perform similarly at stabilizing these shales. Advantages of precipitating aluminum chemistry over other methods will be further discussed.
Albania has an active but challenging drilling activity that demands the most innovative technology. Although new recent drilling activity, has discovered light crude oil, the predominant crude oil quality involves medium-heavy oil reservoirs mainly contained in the largest onshore European oilfield, Patos-Marinza. Even though it has high potential, Albania’s main reservoirs are practically under-developed. In the past decade, the Albanian institutions have increasingly encouraged and supported expanding drilling activity in an effort to stimulate investments in reservoir development/production and management. However, petroleum economics and appropriate management systems need to be further improved to assist in reserve ‘asset’ management. This requires, specifically, employing a collective reserves management system, Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS), which utilizes a framework and guidelines for resource competencies to evoke necessary asset management in reserves and resources. In this paper, a basic outlook is undertaken to evaluate Albania’s resources and oil/gas reserves in a preliminary assessment to classify the reserves under the PRMS guidelines. The main idea will show how a small country with great potential, can exploit its vast resources, and ultimately capitalize on a structured systematic approach by essentially arranging a management system that is customizable and suitable as per its situation to ultimately leverage financial gains. Additionally, an analogous resources management system that is used for characterizing and identifying possible storage areas for CO2 (carbon sequestration) will also be briefly introduced that is based on the CO2 Storage Resource Management System (CO2-SRMS). Which, herein, will spotlight possible suitable areas of carbon storage in Albania. These types of management systems are crucial in decision making, offering considerably ‘better judgments’ in managing and developing resources by ranking the most suitable investment opportunities.
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