Russian Oil Fields Research Articles

Russian oilfield service - the stages of formation

Russian oilfield service - the stages of formation

APPROACH TO CREATION OF GEOLOGICAL AND RESERVOIR SIMULATION MODEL AND METHODS FOR HISTORY MATCHING OF RESERVOIR ENERGY STATE

Under conditions of complex geological structure and substantial share of hard-to-recover oil reserves, reservoir simulation is a key tool in reservoir management. Direct problems solved by reservoir simulation include forecasting of the production performance, control and management of reservoir development, and localization of residual oil reserves. Inverse problem solution is useful for updating the knowledge of geological structure, reservoir quality, and historical production data by means of history matching. The quality of history matching is fundamental to ensure reliable future forecasts and localization of residual oil zones. The main approaches to appropriate history matching rely on analysis and adjustment of well logging and geological parameters, as well as checking and correction of errors, inadequate historical data, application of physics-based and reasonable approaches and tools. The prerequisite for adequate history matching and predictive ability of the resultant reservoir simulation model is the compliance of simulated and actual energy state of the reservoir. In this paper, the initial stage of reservoir simulation is performed, the approach to history matching of reservoir energy state aimed at improving the quality of further predictions is described as exemplified by one of the production areas of Russian oil field. The main causes of poor history match of formation and bottomhole pressures are revealed. These causes are grouped as follows: — geological causes/reservoir quality, which include permeability field distribution, reservoir connectivity, and determination of rock and fluid compressibility;— technical causes (during reservoir simulation), that is model limitations in case of larger areas, the need to use sector models, consideration of buffer region;— technological causes, including inadequate historical data or lack of data, detection of behind-the-casing flows and production casing leaks in wellbore, etc. For each group of factors that have a substantial impact on reservoir pressure, recommendations and methods of energy state history matching on geological and reservoir simulation models are provided, examples are given.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE OIL COMPOSITION OF THE POKURSKAYA FORMATION OF THE RUSSIAN DEPOSIT OF THE WEST SIBERIAN OIL AND GAS BASIN

The composition and properties of oil from the Apt-Cenomanian deposit of the Russian gas and oil field of the West Siberian basin have been studied. It is shown that the composition and properties of oil may indicate their mixed genesis. The molecular composition of the oil suggests that the oil has undergone secondary biodegradation processes, which is in good agreement with the geological history of this part of the basin. A scenario for the formation of the Apt-Cenomanian oil deposit of the Russkoye field is proposed.

Power consumption of electric centrifugal pumping plants under extraction of highly watered oil

Relevance. Currently, oil fields in Russia are mainly developed using the method of artificial maintenance of reservoir pressure to achieve high oil recovery. The use of artificial impact on productive formations by the method of water injection contributes to the premature irrigation of production wells. Water content of productive layers in oil fields significantly complicates the technology of oil production. With the increase in water content of the surface fluid, the power consumed by the engine increases. Minimization of energy consumption is quite relevant, as oil is produced with significant expenditures of electrical energy. It is important to investigate the dependences of the electric energy consumption on the well water cut. Aim. To study the dependence of energy consumption of submersible electric centrifugal units operated in oil production wells on water cut. Methods. Submersible electric centrifugal installations for oil production. Results. In order to study the effects of formation water cut on electrical energy specific consumption, wells with a water cut of more than 90% were selected. Using the formula, the authors have calculated the electrical energy specific consumption for oil production. The analysis of the results of the calculated data showed that in producing wells with a water cut of up to 90 %, the average specific electric power consumption for oil production is within the recommended standards. In wells with the water cut more than 90%, the average specific electric power consumption for oil production exceeds recommended specific norms of electric energy consumption during operation of oil producing wells equipped with electric centrifugal installations. Based on calculated data, the dependence of the specific electrical energy consumption for oil production on the water cut of reservoir products was plotted, and wells with a water cut of more than 90% were selected. The analysis of the graphical dependence showed that in wells with an oil water cut of more than 90%, the specific energy consumption reaches maximum values ​​(the specific energy consumption increases by 40%).

METHOD FOR FORECASTING INCREASE IN LIQUID PRODUCTION FOR OPTIMIZE SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING

Over the past 20 years, the structure of reserves of Russian oil fields has undergone significant changes: with a general increase in reserves, there has been a significant increase in the share of hard to recover reserves (HTR). In the HTR structure of the Russian Federation, low-permeability and heterogeneous reservoirs are identified as the main subgroup (64 %), in 2022, approximately 30 % of all Russian oil was produced from HTR (166 from 535 million tons). In such reservoirs, to maintain and ensure high levels of oil recovery, a workovers such as hydraulic fracturing (HF) is used.Petroleum production companies have various technical and infrastructal capabilities for the selection of candidate wells for workover. Some oil companies use the support of design institutes and service companies that mining andhave specialized geological software products for monitoring and selection of workovers, others make do with the knowledge and skills of selecting their own specialists. However, due to the development of residual recoverable reserves and the unprofitability of the workover every year to select candidate wells, it is becoming increasingly difficult to select candidate wells. Working out the entire well stock and selection candidate wells using standard techniques takes a huge amount of time for a specialist. The article proposes a solution to the topical issue of optimizing the selection of candidate wells for hydraulic fracturing by predicting the dynamics of production wells based on historical data for various geological conditions. The developed method for forecasting the flow rate of liquid and oil on the basis of the rate of change in reservoir pressure and water cut of the well allows you to predict the flow rate for two years ahead, monthly estimates the possible increase from hydraulic fracturing and allows you to determine the optimal time for repeated or primary hydraulic fracturing at the well. This approach sharply narrows the number of potential candidates from a coupe of hundred to two to three dozen potential candidates.

Scientific foundations of forecasting and searching for large accumulations of hydrocarbons

The article discusses the features of the formation of large reserves of oil and gas fields, confined to megareservaries. Based on the statistical analysis of the actual data for the 26 largest reserves of the world and Russian oil and gas fields, an assessment of the dependence of the reserves on the main geological factors involved in the formation of the deposit, such as the area of the deposit and the filtration and reservoir properties of reservoirs, is given. The criteria for forecasting large accumulations of hydrocarbons at different stages of geological exploration are proposed.

Управление эффективностью бизнес-процессов в капитальном ремонте скважин нефтедобывающего предприятия

This work is devoted to the study of the principles and approaches to evaluating the efficiency of business processes carried out by the well workover department of an oil-producing enterprise. According to statistics, service production is a major source of enterprise costs. It accounts for 30–50% of all operating costs. Due to the fact that the majority of large oil fields in Russia are at the final stage of development (more than 70%), the largest share in the composition of operating costs is services for well workover. Accordingly, the purpose of the study was to substantiate the theoretical provisions for managing the efficiency of business processes in the well workover of an oil-producing enterprise and to develop practical recommendations for their implementation. The paper focuses on the main approaches to assessing the efficiency of enterprises as well as the problems that arise when solving problems with the presented approaches due to their inconsistency with new economic challenges. The introduction of changes accompanying the transformation of such approaches made it possible to develop a new management system based on the implementation of the principles of improving the efficiency of business processes in well workover. This, in turn, led to the development of a methodology for a comprehensive assessment of the efficiency of business processes being implemented, which makes it possible to integrate with the concept of managing the efficiency of an oil-producing enterprise.

Study of Chemical Additives for Optimization of Binary Systems Used for Downhole Thermochemical Treatment of Heavy Oil

Currently, most explored oil fields in Russia are at a late stage of development, and in order to maintain high levels of oil production, it is rational to put into operation fields with hard-to-recover reserves. For complicated oil fields, in particular fields with high-viscosity oil, the known traditional methods of development are ineffective. Therefore, the search for new technologies for the development and operation of such fields to significantly increase oil recovery and intensify production is of fundamental importance. One such method of heat treatment of the bottomhole formation zone is the use of heat and gas generating systems on site. In this work, new results were obtained on physical modeling of thermochemical reaction initiation with delayed-action catalyst (2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)butanoic acid) filtration tests on composite core models of sandstone and carbonate with foam heat generation and initiating additives of binary type. Using hydrodynamic modelling, the results of laboratory studies were reproduced, and the preliminary efficiency of the developed technology for thermochemical treatment of deposits in the Samara region (Russia) was evaluated.

Влияние соглашения Сайкса–Пико на формирование современной карты и нефтяной бизнес региона Ближнего Востока

With the collapse of the Ottoman and the Russian Empires the world map underwent drastic changes after the end of World War I. International spheres of influence were reestablished, new players entered oil business, Russian oilfields were expropriated by the newly formed Soviet state. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire Mesopotamia became the region of the most active oil resource fight among the leading world states of the period such as France, the Great Britain, and the USA. The article considers the impact of Sikes-Picot agreement on the Middle Eastern modern states national boarders’ establishment giving the fact that under the Ottoman rule the region had no national division. Violent interference of the western states in the domestic set of affairs in the Middle East guided by the colonial ambitions to control new spheres of interest brought about catastrophic set of historical events in the region throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Almost the century after the Sikes-Picot agreement was signed the countries of the Middle East still suffer its consequences such as regional instability, national and religious tensions, territorial claims and an endless number of military conflicts that undermine regional stability. Unsettled Israeli-Palestinian dispute, the rise of regional terrorist organizations activities are the small examples of the regional misfortunes list.

Directions for improving the efficiency of Russian oilfield service companies

This article is devoted to the study of the main directions of increasing the efficiency of Russian oilfield service companies in the context of the coronavirus pandemic against the background of the current unstable geopolitical situation in the world.

Privatization and Judicialization in Resource Extraction: Comparing Labor Militancy in the Oil Fields of Russia and Kazakhstan

What explains variation in labor militancy and trade union tactics across similar oil regions? Existing literatures on the resource curse and labor in resource extraction provide contradictory expectations that do not account for variation. By comparing two prominent oil regions, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia and Mangystau, Kazakhstan, I find labor militancy is explained by more contingent factors than broader theories suggest. This article identifies oil privatization as a critical juncture that led to diverging path-dependent processes, finding that privatizing to foreign or domestic owners and the relative independence of the legal system explain the differing manifestations of labor militancy observed. These findings are potentially generalizable to post-communist and developing countries that privatize their extractive sectors and have a history of state control of labor relations.

Investigation of the influences of asphaltene deposition on oilfield development using reservoir simulation

This paper investigates the deposition of asphaltenes in the porous medium of the studied field in Russia and predicts production profiles based on uncertainty evaluation. This problem can be solved by dynamic modeling, during which production profiles are estimated in two scenarios: with and without the activation of the asphaltene option. Calculations are carried out for two development scenarios: field operation under natural depletion and water injection into the aquifer as a reservoir pressure maintenance system. A full-scale compositional reservoir simulation model of the Russian oilfield was created. Within a dynamic simulation, the asphaltene option was activated and the asphaltene behavior in oil and porous medium was tuned according to our own special laboratory experiments. The model was also matched to production historical data, and a pattern model was prepared using the full-scale simulation model. Technological and the asphaltene option parameters were used in sensitivity and an uncertainty evaluation. Furthermore, probable production profiles within a forecast period were estimated. The sensitivity analysis of the pattern model to input parameters of the asphaltene option allowed determining the following heavy-hitters on the objective function: the molar weight of dissolved asphaltenes as a function of pressure, the asphaltene dissociation rate, the asphaltene adsorption coefficient and the critical velocity of oil movement in the reservoir. Under the natural depletion scenario, our simulations show a significant decrease in reservoir pressure and the formation of drawdown cones leading to asphaltene deposition in the bottom-hole area of production wells, decreasing their productivity. Water injection generally allows us to significantly reduce the volume of asphaltene phase transitions and has a positive effect on cumulative oil production. Injecting water into aquifer can keep the formation pressure long above the pressure for asphaltene precipitation, preventing the asphaltene deposition resulted from interaction of oil and water, so this way has higher oil production.

The current state of well test analysis and reservoir testing in Russian oil and gas fields

The article presents the results of the industry survey questionnaire on the current state of comprehensive well test analysis and reservoir testing in Russia conducted in October 2021 – February 2022. One hundred and eighty industry experts – in geology, geophysics, oil and gas field development, petrophysics and other areas – gave complete and thorough answers to the questionnaire about the strategy and business importance of research; the techniques, technologies and software for the industry; the improvement of methodology and the creation of a regulatory framework; HR strategy and development of professional competencies. As a result, we obtained valuable information, the collective expert opinion on the current state of affairs and directions of further elaboration of comprehensive multidisciplinary well test analysis and reservoir testing for the purposes of rational subsoil use, improvement of field development efficiency and development of human capital in the oil and gas industry.

Assessment of applicability of preformed particle gels for Perm region oil fields

The application of preformed particle gels (PPG) in Russian oil fields is very limited. In this research the authors tried to find tools for primary screening of oil wells candidates for PPG application. For a fractured reservoir, the Warren-Rutt method was considered for estimating fracture sizes in injected oil wells. Taking into account the mechanical properties of the developed PPG, a powder fraction is recommended for starting treatment of oil wells. An express method for assessing the pressure index (PI) was considered for the primary selection of well candidates. PI provides information on reservoir heterogeneity. Using this method, the most promising candidates for the implementation of PPG technology were selected.

Проблемы экономической устойчивости нефтесервисных компаний в условиях высокотурбулентной среды.

The article discusses specific features of oilfield services company functioning as a part of Russian oilfield services which are the driver of Russian oil-and-gas industry. The key features of the formation of the Russian oilfield services market are noted as follows: a short time of formation in comparison with evolution of the worldwide oilfield services market and high turbulence of the business environment together with characteristic sighs of the oilfield services companies such as high degree of innovation and advanced management. The purpose of study is justification of influence factors and key risks for sustainable economic development of oilfield services company under dynamically changing external conditions. The main theoretical ideas about the construction of business models of the company are analyzed and the definitions of such basic terms as sustainability and sustainable development are considered. The oilfield services company definition as an open complicated industrial and economic system with multilevel internal links was done. The possibility of applying classical concepts of the theory of stability of economic systems to oilfield services market objects is estimated. The key factors are identified and the effects of the external economic environment are generalized, the assessment of the possibility of using various types of well-known business models for the oilfield services company is given. The characteristic features of the oilfield services business are analyzed as follows: advanced technological level of production, innovation and unique competencies of staff from the view of ensuring competitive advantages between the oil-and-gas industry and identified risk-factors of the sustainable development. It’s identified that the economical efficiency of the oilfield services company business models is provided by its opportunities in the external environment and the internal unique production resources, ability to adapt for changes, flexibility of management systems, dynamic information integrity, contractual capacity and high level of management responsibility.

Перспективы развития российского нефтесервиса в условиях перехода к «зеленой энергетике»

The article discusses the basic concepts and principles of clean (green) energy and the reasons for the transition of the global industrial industry to renewable energy sources. Decarbonization trend in the world economy is said to complicate the prospects of the Russian oilfield services, and the task is to determine the possibilities for its sustainable development. To achieve this goal, the current level and the prospects of green energy were analyzed, the problems associated with the transition to renewable energy sources were examined, various ways of the oil and gas business development have been identified. It is established that the current renewable energy sources contribution to the global energy balance is 5 %. However, the policy of economic stimulation for industry decarbonization, which is observed by the industrially developed countries, ensures doubling of the established renewable capacity every four years. The key problems arising from the transition to the renewable energy are revealed, with the main being storage, non-stop energy supply, and the high price of generation products. The paper focuses on the Russian energy industry features which are characterized with the extensive supply of the traditional cheap natural sources, including gas, oil, coal, hydro resources, nuclear power. The transition time to renewable energy is found to be at least 50 years when hydrocarbons remain to be the main source of energy generation. The prospects of sustainable development of the Russian oilfield services are as follows: integration of high technology and new innovation methods of searching, exploration, development, and exploitation of the hydro carbonated deposits; substitution of imported technologies and equipment with the domestic ones; government support of the industry and diversification towards decarbonization energy.

Neglected Transportation Infrastructure

Verkhnemarkovo, a small Siberian town located on an oil field in Russia’s Irkutsk region, is plagued by bad roads and limited mobility. This article explores the relationship between corporate social responsibility and the wellbeing of individuals and communities, with a focus on transport and mobility infrastructure. Some oil companies, such as Irkutsk Oil Company, are tied to the sustainability standards of international financial institutions. The article addresses the question of why people are in limbo between the state and local operating oil companies. Contemporary life in Verkhnemarkovo is characterized by so-called infrastructural violence, which results from the lack of state support—or false promises made by the state— and relates to good transport infrastructure. In their complaints, local people recall the Soviet past and expect support from the state or industry.

On the Support of the Oilfield Service in the Russian Federation.

This article makes use of financial-economic modeling to study the measures of providing necessary support to Russian oilfield service companies due to a reduction in the amount of orders on the part of oil and gas companies because of the slowdown in the demand for energy inputs as a result of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The global practices of drilling uncompleted wells are analyzed; a brief review of the current market situation is provided. The need for taking system-level steps to support the industry and maintaining the key competences and share of Russian companies in the market is shown.

Advanced Determination of Heat Flow Density on an Example of a West Russian Oil Field

Reliable geothermal data are required for basin and petroleum system modeling. The essential shortcomings of the methods and results of previous geothermal investigations lead to a necessity to reappraise the data on the thermal properties and heat flow. A new, advanced experimental basis was used to provide reliable data on vertical variations in the thermal properties of formation and heat flow for the area surrounding a prospecting borehole drilled through an unconventional hydrocarbon reservoir of the Domanik Formation in the Orenburg region (Russia). Temperature logging was conducted 12.5 months after well drilling. The thermal properties of the rocks were measured with continuous thermal core profiling on all 1699 recovered core samples. Within non-cored intervals, the thermal conductivity of the rocks was determined from well-logging data. The influence of core aging, multiscale heterogeneity and anisotropy, in situ pressure and temperature on the thermal properties of rock was accounted for. The terrestrial heat flow was determined to be 72.6 ± 2.2 mW·m−2—~114% larger than the published average data for the studied area. The experiment presents the first experience of supporting basin modeling in unconventional plays with advanced experimental geothermal investigations.

Технологии безопасного обращения с отходами бурения при строительстве скважин в Обской губе

Development of the Russian oil and gas fields in the Arctic requires ensuring industrial and environmental safety of conduct of the operations. Large and unique oil and gas condensate fields are discovered in the southern part of the Kara Sea. The Kamennomysskoye-Sea, Severo-Kamennomysskoye, Semakovskoye, Parusovoye, etc. gas condensate fields are located in the Ob Bay of the Kara Sea. The raw material base of the Severo-Obskoye gas condensate field, unique in terms of the reserves, will become the basis for future Arctic LNG projects. Based on the published data, the initial recoverable total hydrocarbon resources in the Ob and Taz bays are about seven billion tons. Active exploration and commissioning of the already discovered fields require the large volumes of well drilling in a freezing sea, the presence of permafrost, and gas hydrates. During construction of the wells and operation of the offshore ice-resistant oil and gas production platforms, it is required to ensure the disposal of drilling waste (cuttings) and domestic water. There are two technologies for waste disposal — injection into the reservoir or into the clay formations. The first one is used in onshore fields, the second one — on the shelf. Injection into a clay reservoir is successfully used in the Lunskoye gas field on the shelf of the Sakhalin island, and on the Prirazlomnoye oil field in the Pechora Sea. The possibility of using the method and the selection of a reservoir for injecting waste into it requires a geological justification, and the reservoir should ensure a stable injectivity of the required volume. The article presents the results of modeling the injection into the formation of drilling waste, and the waste of the household activities for the Kamennomysskoe-Sea gas condensate field. Calculation was made concerning the zone of absorption of the technological waste into the designed well of the offshore ice-resistant stationary platform. Formation allocation for waste injection was made according to the data of a complex of offshore wells geophysical studies. Three packs of sandy-argillaceous rocks with high reservoir properties were selected as the object of industrial waste disposal. Сalculation was carried out related to the radius of the spread of waste (effluent) in the target reservoir considering drilling and operation of twenty five wells, the construction of which is planned for five years. The results of modeling the process of pumping industrial waste of various types into an absorption well showed that the planned volumes can be successfully disposed of in the selected objects. This will allow to ensure functioning of the marine industry and its environmental safety.