Maximizing Mature Field Production - A Novel Approach to Screening Mature Fields Revitalization Options

Abstract

The industry is undergoing a transformational change, driven by increases in exploration and development costs in the last decade, combined with falling oil prices in recent months. As a result, there is an increased interest in squeezing more from mature assets. The general message is that a 1% increase in recovery factor could result in two additional years of global oil and gas supply; however, industry experts know how difficult it is to increase recovery from mature fields. This paper presents a novel screening method that enables a large number of scenarios to be considered and facilitates convergence on potential solutions. By 2018, 70% of global oil production (more than 80 million B/D) is projected to come from mature fields (Fig. 1). Some major exploration and production (E&P) operators already have more than 70% of their portfolios in production decline. This global trend, combined with the pressure to reduce the cost per BOE resulting from declining oil prices, has pushed E&P operators to place a renewed emphasis on mature fields. This paper presents an integrated approach to revitalizing mature fields and addresses this new reality by focusing on three key areas: immediate impact solutions, reservoir optimization, and new pay. The first step in this process is a screening and ranking method for mature field revitalization choices, which enables feasible options to be identified at an early stage, thus avoiding wasted time and money pursuing unfeasible and/or uneconomic options. A common challenge for the operators of mature assets is filtering the vast array of issues and potential solutions. This unique screening method leverages a global reservoir analog screening database combined with technical and economic modeling techniques to help ensure that the optimum revitalization strategy for the reservoir is achieved. In many cases, the proposed solutions may be technically interesting, but very expensive or operationally not feasible. This paper explains how the proposed revitalization plans must be combined with a fully integrated end-to-end solution, from planning, design, and simulation to field implementation. Case studies are shared to demonstrate how this integrated approach, linking concept to implementation, can avoid expensive iterations and help to enable mature field production uplift.

Review of Microgels for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Properties and Cases of Application

“…There are several approaches for PAM application in mature reservoirs: polymer flooding [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], bulk gels [ 21 , 22 ], preformed particle gels [ 17 , 23 ], and their combinations. The following comprehensive reviews are dedicated to polymer gels systems, including preformed particle gels and its application for enhanced oil recovery [ 17 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Current trends in the exploitation of mature gas fields in the context of rehabilitation concept

“…In addition, at global level, is estimated that 70% of oil and gas production comes from mature fields, which means that all hydrocarbon producers have 70% depleted reservoirs in their portfolio. [6] This global trend, combined with the dynamics of oil and gas market prices, has led hydrocarbon producers, especially in recent years, to have a different approach in exploitation of mature fields.…”