Unique Underbalanced Perforating Technique Reveals Unexpected Remaining Oil in Shut-In Wells in Libya

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozgur Karacali ◽  
Khaled Hassan Elhassi ◽  
Bertrand Theuveny ◽  
Abdunnaser Ali Y Elmashergai ◽  
Anis Lotfi El Gihani ◽  
...  

Abstract The fundamental objective of well perforating is to launch an optimum wellbore to reservoir communication. Unfortunately, not all perforating jobs deliver ideal communication quality. In this paper the rudiments of apposite perforating operations, from data integration and job design to safe implementation, are summarized to produce practical guidelines for high productivity perforating jobs. Reviving oil production in mature fields is a major challenge around the globe. In Libya, there are several mature oil and gas fields that requires production enhancement. In some of these fields the challenge was to come up with a methodology that improves the oil production with minimal well intervention while testing the wells in a much quicker way than the conventional wireline conveyed perforating, well kill, swab, and test techniques. Producing zones in Libyan oil fields have lost productivity over the years due to various activities associated with workover operations. Damage was mainly caused by existence of high salinity formation water and unfiltered brine usage to kill or control the wells. Research has proven that wellbore dynamics have a substantial impact on the success of perforating activities during this very high-paced and short-lived event. We have used a technique that combines the static and the dynamic underbalanced perforating techniques to ultimately improve the hydrocarbon production in such mature fields. Advanced downhole gun and charge system designs and downhole tools are combined to enhance oil production. Debris, scale, and crushed rock removal from the perforation tunnels by applying static underbalanced perforating techniques works very successfully in many cases. Numerous field examples and research have also shown that dynamic underbalance can greatly enhance the tunnel clean up and well productivity. In this paper we are showing that combining static and dynamic underbalanced perforating ensures the optimum perforation tunnel structure. We have applied this technique on numerous wells for the purposes of perforating and re-perforating. Several wells were reperforated to improve the well to reservoir communication quality of existing plugged and damaged perforating zones. In most of the cases new perforating intervals were also added based on production logging and reservoir saturation log results. We have gained extraordinary oil production for several wells. This methodology with improved design increased oil production more than 400% in some wells. Results of this study are presented in an easy to follow way to ensure learnings are passed on to the industry for achieving improved results elsewhere. The techniques outlined in this paper will permit enhanced perforation designs via utilizing available software packages in challenging environments where conventional approaches can be inadequate. The methodology described in this paper is unique in terms of combining the existing techniques in an accessible way.

2021 ◽  
Vol 315 ◽  
pp. 01002
Author(s):  
Vitaly Zhironkin ◽  
Michal Cehlar

The problems of the current ecological situation in the oil-producing regions are being investigated. The analysis of the impact of the growth of hydrocarbon production on the environment has been carried out. The main causes and sources of pollution have been identified, starting with the process of developing oil and gas fields and including directly extracting and processing oil and gas resources. It is noted that the main reason for the growing environmental hazard is the deterioration and depreciation of equipment and the low share of innovative activity of oil companies. The main methods of utilization of oil production wastes, which are currently used in world practice, have been analyzed. Some technologies for processing oil sludge with obtaining a secondary product are considered. Their main advantages and disadvantages associated with the features of the technological process are described. The possibility of obtaining inert soil, building material, expanded clay and other materials using drill cuttings has been evaluated. The complex separate processing of drilling waste has been determined as the most effective and promising. Its main advantages associated with the complete utilization of all components of oil sludge, as well as the problems of introducing this technology, are given.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 168-175
Author(s):  
Mikhail Mishenin ◽  
Danil Masharov

The article discusses the oil and gas complex of the Siberian Federal District at the stage of the need to transition to a new paradigm of development of the oil and gas complex of Russia. Over the past decade, the Siberian Federal District has been the most dynamic region of Russia in the development of the last large and unique oil fields, the development of the mining and transport infrastructure. Increasing oil production and exports in the region at the expense of unique and large fields will continue until 2020s, after which the decline in liquid hydrocarbon production should be offset by developing hard-to-recover and unconventional sources of hydrocarbons, as well as medium and small fields, and rational development of residual reserves. in new and traditional mining centers of the Siberian region. All this will require a radical restructuring of the organizational and legislative system of subsoil use, the transition from an extensive to an intensive development model, the creation of new technologies and equipment, and the provision of integrated development of the subsoil.


2020 ◽  
pp. 88-99
Author(s):  
A. A. Tolmachev ◽  
V. A. Ivanov ◽  
T. G. Ponomareva

Ensuring the safety of oil and gas facilities and increasing their facility life are today one of the most important tasks. Emergencies related to rupture and damage of steel pipelines because of their wear and tear and external factors are still the most frequent cases of emergencies during the transportation of hydrocarbons. To expand the fuel and energy complex in the north, in the direction of the Arctic, alternative types of pipelines are needed that solve the problems of reducing energy and labor costs in oil and gas companies, reducing the risk of environmental disasters and depressurization of pipelines during hydrocarbon production. Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic pipes can be such an alternative. This article is devoted to a comparative analysis of the materials of a composite system consisting of a thermoplastic pipe (inner layer) and reinforcing fibers (outer layer); we are discussing the design of the structural system consisting of polyethylene (inner layer) and aramid fibers (outer reinforcing layer).


Polar Record ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graça Ermida

ABSTRACTAt least four littoral countries have Arctic strategies that address energy issues. However, US, Canada, Russia and Norway strategies up to 2020 and beyond, reveal different interests in exploring Arctic resources. While Arctic oil and gas are of strategic importance to Russia and to Norway, Canada and the US seem content with continuing their current extraction predominantly south of the Arctic Circle. Despite the different approaches, the outcomes seem strangely similar. Indeed, despite the hype concerning the Arctic in the last decade, and for very diverse reasons, it is unlikely that any of these four countries will increase hydrocarbon production in the Arctic during the period under analysis. This was true even before the recent drop in oil prices. For all its potential, it is unclear what lies ahead for the region.


2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.G. Kostianoy ◽  
E.V. Bulycheva ◽  
A.V. Semenov ◽  
A. Krainyukov

Abstract Shipping activities, oil production and transport in the sea, oil handled in harbors, construction and exploitation of offshore oil and gas pipelines have a number of negative impacts on the marine environment and coastal zone of the seas. In 2004-2014 we elaborated several operational satellite monitoring systems for oil and gas companies in Russia and performed integrated satellite monitoring of the ecological state of coastal waters in the Baltic, Black, Caspian, and Kara seas, which included observation of oil pollution, suspended matter, and algae bloom at a fully operational mode. These monitoring systems differ from the existing ones by the analysis of a wide spectrum of satellite, meteorological and oceanographic data, as well as by a numerical modeling of oil spill transformation and transport in real weather conditions. Our experience in the Baltic Sea includes: (1) integrated satellite monitoring of oil production at the LUKOIL-KMN Ltd. D-6 oil rig in the Southeastern Baltic Sea (Kravtsovskoe oil field) in 2004-2014; (2) integrated satellite monitoring of the “Nord Stream” underwater gas pipeline construction and exploitation in the Gulf of Finland (2010-2013); (3) numerical modeling of risks of oil pollution caused by shipping along the main maritime shipping routes in the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Proper, and in the Southeastern Baltic Sea; (4) numerical modeling of risks of oil pollution caused by oil production at D-6 oil rig and oil transportation on shore via the connecting underwater oil pipeline.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rune Vikane ◽  
Jon Tømmerås Selvik ◽  
Eirik Bjorheim Abrahamsen

Abstract The 2014 Wood Review is a report reviewing UK offshore oil and gas recovery and its regulation, led by Sir Ian Wood. The report identifies and addresses key challenges in the UK petroleum industry, among them the lack of a strong regulatory body and a decommissioning strategy. The UK petroleum industry is mature, and Norway may benefit from UK's experiences in decommissioning. The article investigates the applicability of the Wood Review recommendations for decommissioning in Norway. The analysis of the recommendations in the Wood Review is carried out by a SWOT-analysis of the general recommendations with a high potential impact on decommissioning as well as the five recommendations specific to decommissioning. The recommendations in the Wood Review were broadly accepted by UK authorities and formed the basis for numerous initiatives aimed at improving policies and practices in UK decommissioning. The key initiatives are presented to illustrate how the Wood Review recommendations has been interpreted. A summary of the key differences between the petroleum industries and the regulatory authorities in Norway and the UK is provided for background. Decommissioning in Norway face similar challenges to those identified in the Wood Review. The analysis indicates that several of the UK initiatives following the recommendations in the Wood Review has the potential of improving decommissioning in Norway. Differences in regulatory regimes between the regions may complicate the implementation of some of the initiatives following the Wood Review in Norway. In most cases only minor changes to regulations and/or practices are required. Recent UK initiatives with a high impact on decommissioning include increased focus on sharing of information and lessons learned, increased collaboration, the development of a decommissioning strategy, benchmarking of decommissioning cost estimates for all projects and the development and publishing of annual UK decommissioning cost estimates. There are indications that the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) and the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) are falling behind their UK counterparts in key areas. Norway has limited experience with decommissioning, and scrupulous analysis of lessons learned in other regions is essential. Decommissioning of Norwegian offshore infrastructure is a major undertaking and even minor improvements may have a substantial impact on personnel risk, risk to the environment or the total decommissioning expenditure. The Norwegian regulatory regime has been an integral part of the Norwegian petroleum industry's success in previous decades, and changes to the regime require careful deliberation. The recent implementation of initiatives aimed at improving decommissioning regulations and practices in the UK represents a unique learning opportunity for Norwegian authorities. The analysis suggest that Norway may benefit from adopting some of the UK initiatives following the Wood Review recommendations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Mouallem ◽  
Wilson Trigueiro de Sousa ◽  
Ivo Eyer Cabral ◽  
Adilson Curi

Hydraulic fracturing emerges currently, all over the world, as one of the more strategic techniques used by companies in the oil exploitation sector. This technique is characterized by its high productivity and profit in relation to conventional methods of hydrocarbon exploitation. However, in many countries, as is the case of Brazil, there are several divergences considering the employment of this methodology. Many renowned researchers attest that there are several irreversible environmental impacts generated by the use of this methodology. Among the main environmental impacts are the risk of groundwater level contamination, the risk of surface subsidence, and the risk of the environment contamination with fluids used in the process of the oil and gas extraction.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayanand Saini ◽  
Timea Mezei

 Even though water consumption per hydraulic fracturing (or fracturing) job is relatively low; nearly all of the fresh water used for fracturing in California is in the regions of high water stress such as San Jouquin and Los Angeles Basins. However, water availability should not be a concern as huge volumes of water are being produced along with oil and gas from conventional formations (i.e. associated water) in the Kern County of California, a region where most of the fracturing activities take place. This associated water can potentially be used for preparing fracturing fluids in stimulating the unconventional formations. The present study reports on the relevant investigation done in this area of interest.The results suggest that associated water chemistry has limited effect on the viscosity of cross-linked formulations. However, guar gum concentration was found to affect the breaking behaviors of cross-linked fracturing fluid formulations. The new type of commercially available biodegradable breaker was found to be effective in breaking the tested cross-linked formulations at elevated temperature which was as high as 85°C (185°F). Both crosslinking and breaking behaviors of fracturing fluid formulations evaluated in this study were found comparable to the behaviors of commonly used cross-linked formulation (guar gum + 2% potassium chloride). These results suggest that both the associated water (i.e. water resulting from regional conventional oil production activites) and sea water (offshore oil fields) could serve as alternative sources of base fluid for use in fracturing jobs without putting significant burden on precious regional fresh water resources.


2019 ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Vasiliy P. Ovchinnikov ◽  
Pavel V. Ovchinnikov ◽  
Alexander V. Melekhov ◽  
Oksana V. Rozhkova

The development of the global oil industry is closely related to the exploration of new oil and gas fields through the drilling new deep and ultra-deep wells, as well as the application of modern methods of hydrocarbon production. Usage of new methods of production, increasing the depth of the wells, bottomhole temperatures and pressures sets strict requirements and restrictions for the applied plugging materials. Oil well cements must have a long time of thickening to successfully complete the cementing process, grouting stone must have high strength characteristics, heat-resistant properties at high temperatures and provide reliable isolation of the annulus, also have corrosion resistance, ensure durability of the well lining.


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