Technology Focus: Mature Field Revitalization (January 2009)

Abstract

Technology Focus Even as new discoveries are developed and produced, substantial additional reserves can be secured by enhancing recovery from mature fields. Mature fields have the potential to contribute significantly to future reserves—provided that recovery can be optimized. Usually, it is the new discoveries that capture the attention of the oil industry; however, 70% of the hydrocarbon liquids produced in the world today actually come from mature fields. With most of the world's potential oil provinces having already been explored and major new discoveries becoming increasingly rare, mature fields are destined to play an ever-more-prominent role in energy supply. It is generally accepted that 30 to 35% of the original oil in place will be recoverable by the end of the normal production period. However, advances in technology (fueled by higher oil prices) are making it feasible to access remaining reserves. Considering the substantial quantities of remaining oil at stake, boosting the recovery factor on all the world's oil fields by a mere 1% would cover 3 years of worldwide consumption. Techniques to improve the recovery factor include: secondary- and tertiary-recovery schemes, horizontal and multilateral drilling, improved perforation and stimulation methods, new completion techniques, advanced logging procedures, and optimal placement of the new wells. Mature fields, however, offer their own set of challenges. In addition to dealing with aging installations and earmarking investments to access additional reserves, all aspects must be considered carefully from a project-economics point of view. Water is another problem in reservoirs nearing the end of their production life; most oil companies produce far more water than oil, raising environmental concerns and water-handling expenses. Consequently, mature fields would require a strategy that is based on tapping bypassed oil, improving recovery from existing producing zones, cutting costs, and implementing leading-edge technologies to maximize production. Mature Field Revitalization additional reading available at the SPE eLibrary: www.spe.org SPE 113684 • "Mature-Field Rejuvenation of a Tight Gas Carbonate Utilizing Coiled-Tubing Underbalanced-Drilling Techniques" by C. Mykytiw, SPE, FX Solutions Group, et al. SPE 113271 • "Techniques in Marginal and Mature Fields in the Pannonian Basin, Hungary: Case Study" by A. Holoda, MOL, et al. SPE 112940 • "The Omar Field (NE Syria) Is Overcoming Its Mid-Life Crisis" by J. Neidhardt, Shell, et al. SPE 112586 • "Horizontal Extended-Reach Re-Entry Drilling of Sidetracks at Sakhalin Island Increases Oil Production From Mature Oil Fields" by M.L. Drnec, SPE, Schlumberger, et al.