Galapagos Field Redevelopment NW Hutton and Darwin in the East Shetland Basin

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes the proposed re-development of the Galapagos Field, comprising the abandoned NW Hutton field and the Darwin discovery (Block 211/27 UKCS) which forms a southerly extension. The paper covers the initial concept and analytical evaluation, the static uncertainty model build, the dynamic model history-match, the iterations between static and dynamic modelling, the development subsea and well locations, the optimisation workflow of the advanced Flow Control Valve (FCV) completions in both producers and injectors and the facilities constraints. The redevelopment plan involved several multi-disciplinary teams. 20 years of production data from 52 wells were analysed to identify the production behaviour and confirm the significant target that provided the basis for the development concept selection. The full Brent sequence compartmentalised stochastic static model was based on reprocessed seismic plus 14 exploration and appraisal wells. Streamlines, uncertainty sensitivities and mostly good detective work honed a history match to RFT, BHP, PLT and oil and water production. P50, P90/P10 models were selected and over 100 FCVs optimised to deliver the profiles against an identified FSPO facilities’ constraints. Over 1,000 static models were delivered consisting of sheet sands, incised valleys and channels in heterolithic facies overprinted by a depth trend with appropriate uncertainty ranges. The high well count gave a tight STOIIP probabilistic range of 790/883/937 million stb. The early RFTs illustrated extreme differential depletion between Brent zones and subzones of the Ness. To history-match these the dynamic model retained the static model definition in the Upper Ness to capture the thin but extensive shales. The early 18-month depletion and the late steady production-injection phases were simulated separately in prediction mode and matched the Production Analysis estimated ‘future’ production giving confidence to the history matched model. The initial concept development of 4 subsea-centres, to cover the large field area, with an injector in each compartment proved a robust selection. The horizontal wells increase PI where needed and mitigate internal faulting. The optimisation of the FCVs significantly increased oil production from all zones and drastically reduced water injection and production so that the identified FPSO modifications were relatively modest. The final First Stage Field Development Plan consists of 11 producers and 6 injectors across developed and undeveloped areas confirmed robust P50 reserves of 84 million boe. Robust concept selection allowed for early identification of production units so that constraints and modifications could be accounted for within the economic model. The Galapagos field re-development plan is an excellent example of how detailed static and fully history matched dynamic models can lay the foundations for new technology like the optimisation of the FCVs to access bypassed reserves using significantly smaller production units with reduced requirements for power, compression, gas lift, pumping pressure, injection and production. In short, they shrank the facilities.