Simultaneous Drilling & Productions Operations (SIMOPS)

Abstract

To maintain oil production at sustainable rates through minimizing the production loss factors, there was a need to investigate the feasibility of conducting SIMOPS on old wood, unprepared & un-equipped, high producing oil Well Head Towers (WHT). For this purpose, Management has formed a multi-disciplined team to investigate the possibility of allowing oil production & water injection operations while carrying out drilling/workover activity in a similar manner to that adopted for ZADCO oil WHTs. While SIMOPS has never been implemented on ADMA- OPCO WHTs for oil production, it was noted that water injection SIMOPS was already under implementation. The methodology adopted by the taskforce is as follows : re-visiting the risk assessment which constituted the basis for the current SIMOPS by ZADCO through ADMA-OPCO. Categorising & identifying the WHTs where SIMOPS can be implemented based on considerable incremental oil production level. Site verification of SIMOPS by ZADCO. Reviewing & amending the current SIMOPS procedures with the purpose of producing special procedure for ADMA-OPCO oil WHTs. Site verification visits to rigs carrying out SIMOPS were made where open discussions with rig personnel were held and equipment / systems were checked and tested. It was noted during the function test of the deluge system that the water supply by the injection facilities/system on the WHTs is satisfactory where as the back up water supply from the rig was ineffective. The risk assessment has shown that most hazards are assessed at ALARP or acceptable level except for the following: • Rig Collapse : Mitigation of the hazard is through the major improvements in NDC Systems (Management, Maintenance). • Dropped Objects : Mitigation through re-enforced Impact Protection on top of production facilities. • High Pressure Testing : Shut down production and depressurisation of service pipe works will constitute appropriate protection. The current SIMOPS procedures maintained in ADMA-OPCO's were reviewed and amended to reflect the required modification to allow for SIMOPS on ADMA-OPCO Towers. The SIMOPS procedure will require formal approval of Site Operating Authorities (Umm Al Shaif (US), Zakum (ZK)), both Asset Managers & the Drilling Manager.