Production Increase with Electric Heating Production Line Technology in an Extra-Heavy Oil Field in Colombia: Successful Case of Flow Assurance

Abstract

In recent years the oil industry has focused primarily on the exploitation of heavy and extra-heavy oil reservoirs. On the other hand these crudes represent current worldwide one of the greatest potential contributions to reserves to the energy industry. The production, treatment and transportation of these crudes are a real challenge, because these crudes increase the viscosity exponential from the reservoir to the gathering collection plant. This causes a dramatic increase in the well pump pressure system, reducing the production capability of the lifting system and optimal management of fluids, resulting in lost in the flow assurance system committing millions of dollars annually in non-effective remedial techniques. This article describes a successful case of flow assurance technology application to an extra-heavy oil of 9.0 °API, using electric heating of the well production line along 900 meters in a Colombian oil field. The selected well to apply this technology increases its daily oil production over 160%, well head pressure decreases 95%. Chemical dosification was optimized and BS&W values required by the control system were reached by heating technology. Additionally, lighter crude of 25 °API, used as a diluent, to move this extra-heavy oil through the production line was avoided in 100%.

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