The Challenges of Developing a Deep Offshore Heavy-Oil Field in Campos Basin

Abstract

fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractDeep offshore oil production demands very high investments (CAPEX) so its development must rely on a careful planning. This frequently takes place in a setting with very limited amount of information due to high costs of appraisal operations. The figure becomes even more complicated when heavy oils are the target: low energy reservoirs require water flooding which, in turn, reflects in low recoveries and excessive water handling, not to mention other production problems.This paper highlights different simulation studies that have been performed in order to set up an economical development plan for a 16 API 1700m water depth oil reservoir offshore Campos Basin. The main reservoir consists of a high thickness turbidite channel crossed by a N-S fault whose hydraulic conductivity is the main uncertainty. Vertically the reservoir is composed of three zones, where the upper one has a gas cap partially in contact with the two bottom ones. These structural complexities required a detailed study for positioning injectors and horizontal producers based on a decision tree analysis.