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Mature Field Revitalization: Technology Focus

Mature oil fields currently contribute 70% of the world's hydrocarbon production despite most attention being paid to new discoveries. While typically only 30-35% of original oil is recoverable, improved technologies are increasing recovery rates and untapped reserves. Boosting global recovery rates by just 1% could meet 3 years of oil demand. Revitalizing mature fields through secondary/tertiary recovery, horizontal drilling, improved completions, and optimized well placement can significantly increase production. However, mature fields present challenges like aging infrastructure and higher costs. Strategies must focus on improving recovery from existing zones while cutting expenses and implementing advanced technologies.

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Sahib Qafarsoy
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171 views1 page

Mature Field Revitalization: Technology Focus

Mature oil fields currently contribute 70% of the world's hydrocarbon production despite most attention being paid to new discoveries. While typically only 30-35% of original oil is recoverable, improved technologies are increasing recovery rates and untapped reserves. Boosting global recovery rates by just 1% could meet 3 years of oil demand. Revitalizing mature fields through secondary/tertiary recovery, horizontal drilling, improved completions, and optimized well placement can significantly increase production. However, mature fields present challenges like aging infrastructure and higher costs. Strategies must focus on improving recovery from existing zones while cutting expenses and implementing advanced technologies.

Uploaded by

Sahib Qafarsoy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

Mature Field
Revitalization

Even as new discoveries are developed and produced, substantial additional Syed A. Ali, SPE, is a Research Advisor
reserves can be secured by enhancing recovery from mature fields. Mature fields with Schlumberger. After 31 years of
have the potential to contribute significantly to future reserves—provided that service, he retired from Chevron Energy
recovery can be optimized. Technology Company as a Chevron
Usually, it is the new discoveries that capture the attention of the oil industry; Fellow. Ali received the 2006 SPE
however, 70% of the hydrocarbon liquids produced in the world today actu- Production and Operations Award. An
ally come from mature fields. With most of the world’s potential oil provinces SPE Distinguished Member, he earned
having already been explored and major new discoveries becoming increas-
a BS degree from the University of
ingly rare, mature fields are destined to play an ever-more-prominent role in
energy supply. Karachi in Pakistan, MS degrees from
the University of Karachi and Ohio
It is generally accepted that 30 to 35% of the original oil in place will be recover- State University, and a PhD degree
able by the end of the normal production period. However, advances in tech-
nology (fueled by higher oil prices) are making it feasible to access remaining from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
reserves. Considering the substantial quantities of remaining oil at stake, boost- An SPE Distinguished Lecturer during
ing the recovery factor on all the world’s oil fields by a mere 1% would cover 2004–05, Ali served as Chairperson
3 years of worldwide consumption. Techniques to improve the recovery factor for the 2006 SPE Applied Technology
include: secondary- and tertiary-recovery schemes, horizontal and multilateral Workshop on Deepwater Completions.
drilling, improved perforation and stimulation methods, new completion tech-
He served as the Executive Editor of
niques, advanced logging procedures, and optimal placement of the new wells.
SPEPO from 2004 to 2006 and cur-
Mature fields, however, offer their own set of challenges. In addition to dealing rently serves on the following SPE com-
with aging installations and earmarking investments to access additional reserves, mittees: TIG Coordinating Committee,
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; Well Completions Subcommittee,
most oil companies produce far more water than oil, raising environmental con- Oilfield Chemistry Program Committee,
cerns and water-handling expenses. Consequently, mature fields would require a JPT Editorial Committee, Production
strategy that is based on tapping bypassed oil, improving recovery from existing and Operations Award Committee,
producing zones, cutting costs, and implementing leading-edge technologies to Production and Operations Advisory
maximize production. JPT
Committee, and Drilling and Completion
Mature Field Revitalization additional reading available Advisory Committee.
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.

58 JPT • JANUARY 2009

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