Search citation statements
Paper Sections
Citation Types
Year Published
Publication Types
Relationship
Authors
Journals
Asphaltene deposition in production tubing is a major flow assurance challenge. Common strategies to mitigate Asphaltene deposition downhole include mechanical or solvent cleanouts and chemical inhibition. These are associated with production deferment, high job costs, HSE risks and operational issues. In a worldwide first, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has addressed this challenge using Fiberglass (GRE) Lined Production Tubing. This technology was implemented in two trial wells. This paper chronicles the different mitigation strategies employed by KOC and presents the findings of the above-mentioned successful trials. Tendency of scale to stick on smoother, non-metallic surfaces, is known to be less than on bare steel surface. KOC had trialed internal coating to mitigate Asphaltene deposition in tubing, but the experience was not satisfactory. KOC has been successfully using GRE lined tubing for corrosion protection and scale prevention in oil and water wells. Considering GRE's smoother surface, lower zeta energy and thermal insulation, it was decided to conduct a trial of GRE lined tubing in wells with Asphaltene deposition problems. Frequency of cleanout and Well Head Pressure (WHP) trends, before and after installation of GRE Lined Tubing, were compared for evaluation. The paper chronicles the trial results and provides a comparison of implementation costs against currently employed tubing cleanouts by Coiled Tubing (CT) using a Diesel-Toluene mixture. Two wells, requiring frequent tubing cleanout of Asphaltene, were selected as candidates. Trends over a period of 13-15 months after installation of GRE lined tubing showed up to 74 % reduction in WHP decline rate compared to pre-installation periods. Cleanouts were avoided against an earlier frequency of 3 to 3.5 jobs per year. This resulted in following benefits: (1) Direct annual operational savings of 519,750 US $ per well (2) Additional production by increased uptime of 1 to 1 ½ months (3) Avoidance of Coiled Tubing sticking, occurring in similar wells, and the resultant workover cost (4) Eliminating production deferment due to this workover (5) An environment friendly and safe methodology not requiring handling of toxic, highly flammable Toluene, used for the clean outs. Comparison of the economics show clear-cut benefits of GRE lined tubing over tubing cleanouts. In view of the applicability in most of their high API gravity Jurassic oil wells, KOC has decided on wide scale implementation of this technology. As this is the first known case of its kind worldwide, we expect that this paper will be highly beneficial to operators faced with challenges in producing Asphalteinic oil and those engaged in CO2 EOR campaigns. Besides sharing experience, the authors aim to generate global operator engagement to optimize this new solution, possibly combined with other solutions, to tackle Asphaltene deposition as efficiently as possible.
Asphaltene deposition in production tubing is a major flow assurance challenge. Common strategies to mitigate Asphaltene deposition downhole include mechanical or solvent cleanouts and chemical inhibition. These are associated with production deferment, high job costs, HSE risks and operational issues. In a worldwide first, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has addressed this challenge using Fiberglass (GRE) Lined Production Tubing. This technology was implemented in two trial wells. This paper chronicles the different mitigation strategies employed by KOC and presents the findings of the above-mentioned successful trials. Tendency of scale to stick on smoother, non-metallic surfaces, is known to be less than on bare steel surface. KOC had trialed internal coating to mitigate Asphaltene deposition in tubing, but the experience was not satisfactory. KOC has been successfully using GRE lined tubing for corrosion protection and scale prevention in oil and water wells. Considering GRE's smoother surface, lower zeta energy and thermal insulation, it was decided to conduct a trial of GRE lined tubing in wells with Asphaltene deposition problems. Frequency of cleanout and Well Head Pressure (WHP) trends, before and after installation of GRE Lined Tubing, were compared for evaluation. The paper chronicles the trial results and provides a comparison of implementation costs against currently employed tubing cleanouts by Coiled Tubing (CT) using a Diesel-Toluene mixture. Two wells, requiring frequent tubing cleanout of Asphaltene, were selected as candidates. Trends over a period of 13-15 months after installation of GRE lined tubing showed up to 74 % reduction in WHP decline rate compared to pre-installation periods. Cleanouts were avoided against an earlier frequency of 3 to 3.5 jobs per year. This resulted in following benefits: (1) Direct annual operational savings of 519,750 US $ per well (2) Additional production by increased uptime of 1 to 1 ½ months (3) Avoidance of Coiled Tubing sticking, occurring in similar wells, and the resultant workover cost (4) Eliminating production deferment due to this workover (5) An environment friendly and safe methodology not requiring handling of toxic, highly flammable Toluene, used for the clean outs. Comparison of the economics show clear-cut benefits of GRE lined tubing over tubing cleanouts. In view of the applicability in most of their high API gravity Jurassic oil wells, KOC has decided on wide scale implementation of this technology. As this is the first known case of its kind worldwide, we expect that this paper will be highly beneficial to operators faced with challenges in producing Asphalteinic oil and those engaged in CO2 EOR campaigns. Besides sharing experience, the authors aim to generate global operator engagement to optimize this new solution, possibly combined with other solutions, to tackle Asphaltene deposition as efficiently as possible.
The new edition of the ISO 15663 standard has been developed during the recent years and will strengthen the industry cost management for business value creation. This paper shows how such standardization can be used to further enhance and promote adoption of a common and consistent approach to life cycle costing in the offshore oil and gas industry. The new ISO 15663 edition maintains key principles from previous editions, but does also introduce an improved and revised management methodology for application of life cycle costing. The purpose is to provide decision support for selecting between alternative options (e.g., projects, operational and technical subject matters) across life cycle phases, also aligned with overall corporate business objectives such as HSE and sustainability. It also provides the means of identifying cost drivers and a framework for value optimization over the entire life of an asset. The international standard is providing an essential set of normative requirements on how to implement and apply the life cycle costing methodology and the decision criteria, supported by an exhaustive part of recommended practices. This includes the identification of common and specific contractual considerations for operators, contractors and vendors (e.g., complementary metrics besides expenditure, such as systems availability guarantee and risk-sharing clauses). It also includes the application in the life cycle phases of an asset, the techniques and data input, examples of application, and assessment and lessons learnt. Capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating expenditure (OPEX), revenue and lost revenue (LOSTREV) factors are addressed. The standard includes an unambiguous definition of the economic objectives of a project and application of the same business criteria when making major engineering decisions. The life cycle costing methodology is applicable to all asset decisions in any life cycle phase, but should be applied only when expected to add value for decision-support. The required extent of planning and management of the appropriate life cycle costing is depending on the magnitude of the costs involved, the potential value that can be created and the life cycle phase. This paper demonstrates how the new ISO 15663 can be utilized by providing new examples of life cycle costing, to give all participants in the process — oil and gas operators, contractors and vendors — an up-to-date and streamlined set of requirements and guidance, encouraging a fit for purpose application. The paper does also present unique key economic evaluation measures such as life cycle cost (LCC) and net present value (NPV).
It is widely acknowledged that Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) constitutes an indispensable component in the global endeavor to mitigate carbon emissions by 15-20%, thereby aligning with the 1.5°C (2.7°F) target set for 2050. Despite substantial governmental support, such as 45Q, progress in CCUS development and infrastructure remains sluggish, primarily attributed to the substantial initial capital outlays involved. A significant proportion of these costs can be attributed to the utilization of costly Corrosion-Resistant Alloys (CRA), necessitated by the harsh corrosion challenges posed by supercritical CO2 from the capture facility to the injection wells. To facilitate the advancement of CCUS technology in China, extensive research, testing, and development endeavors have been undertaken to identify and implement advanced materials and anti-corrosion technologies capable of replacing CRA within the CCUS injection well infrastructure. The conditions of CO2 injection wells in four major oil fields in China have undergone thorough investigation and categorization. Minimum CRA requirements have been determined through a combination of field data and computer simulations, establishing cost upper limits for selecting new materials. Extensive testing has been conducted on a diverse range of new materials and anti-corrosion solutions, encompassing various grades of coatings, platings, liners, coil tubings, inhibitors, and their combinations. These tests have been carried out under simulated laboratory conditions as well as in the field to assess their long-term effectiveness. Drawing upon comprehensive test results, the operational scope of each technology has been outlined. Among these, coating technology, encompassing various polymer coatings and alloy plating, emerges as the most cost-effective solution but offers relatively short-term protection (typically less than 5 years) when used independently. However, Ni-P or Ni-W plating, complemented by compatible inhibitor protocols, can reliably extend protection for 5-10 years. Polymer composite liners, such as Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) liners, provide extended lifespans (typically 20-50 years) and obviate the need for corrosion inhibitors due to their substantial thickness, albeit at roughly twice the cost. In exceptionally harsh conditions and for prolonged storage periods, CRA coil tubing emerges as a cost-efficient alternative to traditional CRA tubing. It offers cost savings by eliminating the fabrication and testing requirements associated with conventional gas-tight tubular connections. To the best of our knowledge, this study marks the first endeavor to provide substantive recommendations for replacing expensive traditional CRA in CCUS injection wells with alternative anti-corrosion solutions, substantiated by rigorous testing and extensive field experience. The findings of this research have the potential to empower operators worldwide to significantly reduce their project costs while maintaining safety and reliability. As a result, it can foster the expansion of CCUS initiatives, contributing to the attainment of global objectives in sustainable energy production and climate control.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.