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A successful water injection management is a key to increase or stabilize oil production and to maximize oil recovery from a mature field. This paper describes an approach to draw maximum benefit through existing set up of a water injection in a mature offshore carbonate field of India. Water injection initiated after the six years of oil production and field is under water flood since last 28 years. The field witnessed favorable water flood condition and almost negligible aquifer support. During its long production period most of the producers had been sideracked from one to three times to target better saturation areas which has led to uneven subsurface water distribution. The field has also suffered less voidage compensation for quite some time.

To understand and mitigate the problem, a small pilot area within a field has been selected for implementing a good surveillance and monitoring program with pattern injection and possible intervention strategy. It was decided that based on the success of this pilot, the concept would be developed for implementation in step by step manner for entire field. The importance of multidisciplinary team has been recognized and detailed SWOT analysis was done for effective implementation of plan. Initially pilot area comprised of 15 oil producers and 4 water injectors. Conversion of one producer to water injector and restoration of water injection in 3 injectors were done as per plan and optimized injection rate (in this case maximum 3000 bbl per day) per injector were implemented. Peripheral pattern for pilot area with 5 injectors and 5 spot inverted patterns from rest 3 injectors were decided.

After one year of the implementation a thorough performance analysis of the pilot has been carried out which indicates the overall improvement of liquid and oil production rates along with reduction in GOR and decreasing trend of oil decline rates of producers.

The pilot approach has certainly helped to understand the Reservoir conformance in short duration of time. Encouraging results of this methodology guides to extent and implement this approach in other parts of field to cover the entire field in phased manner.

The first successful natural dump-flood in the Malaysian offshore environment provided numerous lessons learned to the operator. The minimal investment necessary for implementing the dump-flood coupled with the lack of recompletion opportunities in the subject wells suggested that direct execution without spending on expensive data gathering activity and extensive reservoir study makes more sense from a business point of view. A similar oil gain compared to a water injection project can be achieved at a significantly lower cost of USD 0.01 to 0.15 million in an offshore environment through dump-flooding.

The existing oil producers in the depleted reservoirs in Field B were originally completed and successfully drained oil from in a high-pressured watered-out reservoir below, making it an ideal dump-flood water source. The dump-flood was initiated by commingling the target and water source reservoir through zone change, allowing water to naturally cross-flow into the pressure depleted target reservoir. Once a memory production logging tool (MPLT) confirmed the cross-flow, the offtake well was monitored to determine the impact of the dump-flood and produce once the pressure was increased. Minimal investment was necessary because the operations were executed using slickline. The reservoir model will be calibrated once the positive impact of dump-flood is realized in the offtake well.

The first natural dump-flood in Reservoir X-2 has successfully produced 0.29 MMstb as of August 2018 with 600 BOPD incremental oil gain. The incremental recovery factor (RF) from the first dump-flood is predicted to be from 5 to 8%. Based on this success, it was decided to replicate the dump-flood project in other depleted reservoirs with Reservoir X-2 as an analog. Four reservoirs were subsequently identified, each with an estimated operational cost of approximately USD 0.01 million and potential incremental reserves of 0.10 to 0.20 MMstb per reservoir. The minimal investment necessary, the idle status of the wells and reservoirs, and the potential incremental reserves suggested that it is more appealing to proceed with implementing the dump-flood without undergoing an extensive and costly reservoir study. With reservoir connectivity being important to the success of dump-flooding, a more cost-effective approach would be to confirm the connectivity by monitoring the offtake well after the dump-flood is initiated. This approach provides more value because the cost of interference or pulse testing is significantly more expensive than the cost of the dump-flood itself while reservoir connectivity was already indicated as likely by geological data (map and seismic). Through a value driven approach, these dump-flood opportunities become more economically viable, allowing the operator to prolong the life of the assets and maximize the field profit.

This paper discusses using a value driven and business approach to implement the dump-flood in a mature field. Valuable insight into the business and technical considerations of implementing dump-floods are described, which are relevant to the industry, especially in today's low margin business climate.

This paper presents a multidomain integrated workflow that combines geophysics, borehole geology, fracture modeling, and petroleum systems analysis for characterization and resource assessment of basement plays. A 3D fracture model is developed by integrating image log interpretation and seismic data to assess the reservoir potential of fractured basement. The 3D fracture modeling is done using the discrete fracture network (DFN) approach with image log interpretation and other fracture drivers serving as the main input. The DFN is upscaled to generate fracture porosity and fracture permeability properties in a 3D grid. The upscaled fracture porosity is used to estimate the petroleum initially in place (PIIP) for the prospects. Multiple 2D petroleum system modeling is performed where large fault throws are identified from seismic interpretation. The petroleum system study helps in identification of areas with most prolific hydrocarbon generation and expulsion centers, which, coupled with the cross-fault juxtapositions, are the main locales of charging for basement reservoir. Further analysis of all the elements of basement play (i.e., source, reservoir, seal, trap, and migration) is done, and prospective areas within the basement play are delineated with high geological chance of success.

The objective of the paper is to present the methodology adopted for dual artificial system modeling in Aishwariya field– an onshore oil field located in prolific Barmer Basin, India. This paper presents a conceptual and feasibility study of combination of Jet pump (JP) and Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) together as means of artificial lift for production enhancement in a well. It discusses the workflow to model a well producing on dual artificial lift (ESP producing in combination with Jet-Pump) via industry standard software and demonstrates the same with a successful case study.

Requirement of ESP change outs to restore/enhance well production in cases such as undersized pumps, pump head degradation requires an expensive work-over. However, an option for secondary additional lift (JP) installation along with primary lift (ESP) in completion system can eliminate the costly wok-over requirement if both lifts can operate simultaneously.

The procedure to model the dual artificial lift (JP and ESP) has two major components: a) Psuedo IPR at ESP discharge node and b) Standard JP modeling using pseudo IPR. Pseudo IPR is generated by modifying well specific IPR using ESP pump curve for a specific frequency. The down-hole ESP pump intake & discharge pressure sensors help calibrate the model accurately for further prediction.

The existing completion in the Aishwariya field is ESP completion with the option of JP installation in cases of ESP failures as contingency. Moreover, jet pump can be installed using slick line with minimum well downtime (∼ 6 hrs). Therefore, installing and operating the Jet pump above a running ESP will not only increase the drawdown but will result in production enhancement with minimal cost.

Novel Technique: No standard industry software can help model such dual lift systems with ease. The in-house developed workflow allows engineers to successfully model such complex lift scenario for routine production optimization and well surveillance activities.

Oil production decline and excessive water production are prevalent in mature fields and unconventional plays, which significantly impact the profitability of the wells and result in costly water treatment and disposal. To seek for a sustainable development of those wells, reducing the operation cost and extending their economic lives, this paper presents a method of synergistic production of hydrocarbon and electricity, which could harvest the unexploited geothermal energy from the produced water and transfer heat to electricity in the wellbore. Such method is cost-effective, since it does not require any surface power plant facility, and it is replicable in numerous wells including both vertical wells and horizontal wells. By simultaneous coproduction of oil and electricity, the value of existing assets could be fully developed, operation cost could be offset, and the economic life of the well could be extended.

This recently proposed method incorporated thermoelectric power generation technology and oil production. In this method, electricity could be produced by thermoelectric generator (TEG) mounted outside of the tubing wall under temperature gradient created by produced fluid and injected fluids. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the economic practicability of oil-electricity coproduction by using thermoelectric technology in oil wells based on previously proposed design. We examined the technical data of high water-cut oil wells in North Dakota and collected required information with respect to performance thermoelectric power generations. Special emphasis was placed on the key parameters related to project economics, such as thermoelectric material, length of TEG and injection rate. Sensitive studies were carried out to characterize the impact of the key parameters on project profits. We showed that by simultaneously production of oil and electricity, $234,480 of additional value could be generated without interfering with oil production.

The proposed method capitalizes on the unexploited value of produced water and generates additional benefits. This study could provide a workflow for oil and gas operators to evaluate an oil-electricity coproduction project and could act as a guidance to perform and commercialize such project to balance parts of the operation cost and extend the life of the existing assets.

Reservoirs which produce under active water drive offer a significant uncertainty towards implementation of Chemical EOR processes. This paper describes a successful pilot testing of ASP process in a clastic reservoir which is operating under strong aquifer drive. The field has ~ 30 years of production history. The objective of the pilot was to understand response of ASP process in a mature reservoir, which is operating under active edge water drive. The build-up permeability of the reservoir is 2-8 Darcy with viscosity~ 50 cP. Salient key observations like production performance, incremental oil gain, polymer breakthrough etc. are discussed in this paper after completion of the pilot.

On the basis of laboratory study and simulation, ASP pilot was implemented in the field in 2010.The pilot was designed with single inverted five spot pattern and one observation well. The pilot envisaged injection of 0.3 pore volume (PV) Alkali-Surfactant-Polymer (ASP) slug, 0.3 PV graded polymer buffer followed by 0.4PV chase water. The pilot was meticulously monitored for production performance and breakthrough of chemicals. All the pilot producers have more than 20 years of production history. Base oil rate and water cut were fixed before start of the pilot, on the basis of test data which was used to monitor pilot performance. Interwell Tracer Test (IWTT) was conducted before starting of ASP injection so as to understand sweep in the pilot area. In addition, quality of injection water and chemical concentration in ASP slug was checked regularly to ensure best quality.

Significant response of the pilot was observed within 15 months of the start of the pilot which was published in 2012. This paper aims to describe the learning and conclusion after successful completion of the pilot. ~40-50% jump in oil rate was observed during the ASP injection period which sustained for 12-18 months. However preferential breakthrough of ASP slug in one of the producer impacted the incremental oil gain. The preferential breakthrough of polymer was due to presence of high permeability streaks which was rectified by profile modification job. In addition, strong aquifer movement was experienced during ASP injection which leads to rise in water cut of a pilot well. However, the pilot well was restored through water shutoff jobs. After completion of ASP and mobility buffer, a cumulative incremental oil ~28000 m³ was obtained. Cumulative incremental oil gain is in line with simulation studies prediction. 12-14% decrease in water cut was observed which sustained for ~ 6-18 months. Regular monitoring of produced fluid indicated breakthrough of polymer and alkali in 2-3 producers. During the pilot, produced fluid handling issues like tough emulsion formation, lift malfunctioning etc. was not observed. These collective observation indicated success of the ASP pilot project.

There are very few case histories of successful ASP pilot implementation are available, in which the reservoirs has been operating under active aquifer drive. Learning of this ASP project can be taken forward for expansion of ASP flood and also designing of ASP pilot/commercial projects for analogous reservoirs.

The paper describes the feasibility of revisiting old sands, for improving the recovery factors and enhancing production, which otherwise were already abandoned. The paper also outlines the systematic methods for predicting the onset of liquid loading in gas wells, evaluation of completions for optimization and comparison of various deliquification techniques. ONGC is operating in two gas fields in eastern and western regions in India. Earlier in both the fields, many sands had to be closed/isolated after the wells ceased to flow due to liquid loading in the absence of continuous deliquification. In order to predict liquid loading tendencies and identify opportunities for production enhancement, performance of 150 gas wells has been analyzed. To select most suitable deliquification technique for the present condition, all technically feasible methods have been evaluated and compared in order to get the maximum ultimate gas recovery possible.

After an extensive study, 3 wells were identified in the preliminary stage and SRP was selected as the most suitable Deliquification technique. Initially, two non-flowing wells, which had ceased due to liquid loading and were about to be abandoned, were selected. After SRP installation and sustained unloading of water for about 30 days, these wells started producing 12000 SCMD gas. In the third well, one of the top sands had earlier been isolated due to liquid loading and production history indicated that the isolated sand had a very good potential. Also, production from the well was declining in the current bottom operating sand as well due to liquid loading. Encouraged by the results that deliquification had yielded in the initial two gas wells, the isolated sand interval in the third well was opened again with the aim to revive production. The well was re-completed with SRP with both the reservoirs open. Before deliquification, the well was producing about 15000 SCMD gas from the bottom sand. After SRP installation and continuous deliquification, the well started producing gas at a stabilized rate of 45000 SCMD, thereby resulting in an additional gas recovery of 30000 SCMD for nearly one year as on date. The approach of putting in place continuous deliquification techniques has not only helped in enhancing production from the existing reservoirs, but has also opened up new avenues to revisit the earlier isolated / abandoned reservoirs for possible enhanced recoveries.

Due to complex characteristics of shale reservoirs, data-driven techniques offer fast and practical solutions in optimization and better management of shale assets. Developments in data-driven techniques enable robust analysis of not only the primary depletion mechanisms, but also the enhanced oil recovery in unconventionals such as natural gas injection. This study provides a comprehensive background on application of data-driven methods in oil and gas industry, the process, methodology and learnings along with examples of data-driven analysis of natural gas injection in shale oil reservoirs through the use of publicly-available data.

Data is obtained and organized. Patterns in production data are analyzed using data-driven methods to understand key parameters in the recovery process as well as the optimum operational strategies to improve recovery. The complete process is illustrated step-by-step for clarity and to serve as a practical guide for readers. This study also provides information on what other alternative physics-based evaluation methods will be able to offer in the current conditions of data availability and the understanding of physics of recovery in shale oil assets together with the comparison of outcomes of those methods with respect to the data-driven methods. Thereby, a thorough comparison of physics-based and data-driven methods, their advantages, drawbacks and challenges are provided.

It has been observed that data organization and filtering takes significant time before application of the actual data-driven method, yet data-driven methods serve as a practical solution in fields that are mature enough to bear data for analysis as long as the methodology is carefully applied. The advantages, challenges and associated risks of using data-driven methods are also included. The results of comparison between physics-based methods and data-driven methods illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of each method while providing the differences in evaluation and outcome along with a guideline for when to use what kind of strategy and evaluation in an asset.

A comprehensive understanding of the interactions between key components of the formation and the way various elements of an EOR process impact these interactions, is of paramount importance. Among the few existing studies on natural gas injection in shale oil with the use of data-driven methods in oil and gas industry include a comparative approach including the physics-based methods but lack the interrelationship between physics-based and data-driven methods as a complementary and a competitor within the era of rise of unconventionals. This study closes the gap and serves as an up-to-date reference for industry professionals.

Well interference in unconventional CBM reservoirs is often desired. It reduces reservoir pressure; significantly increasing gas production through desorption. However, identifying interference between wells and extracting quantitative reservoir information using production data analysis is a challenge. The primary objectives of this study are to identify production characteristics of interfering CBM wells, evaluate reservoir parameters, demonstrate the application of interference data using field examples to predict well performance and develop guidelines to optimize geospatial well-pattern.

A field wide interference study has been undertaken to track changes in gas rate, water rate, wellhead pressure and fluid level in each well. An ‘event-based’ filter is applied to the dataset to correlate production behaviour of a well with any unplanned ‘event’ in its offset well. Planned well tests are then conducted to ascertain these evidences of interference. Using production data analysis of interfering wells, a set of semi-analytical correlations have been developed based on the transient drainage radius model to determine production-governing permeability of coal formation, and also quantify the flow contribution of natural fractures and reservoir matrix.

Preliminary analysis of the study demonstrates several forms of interference. Well specific field examples have been presented for each case. Interference between producing wells having long production history show a trend reversal in gas flow rate due to additional dewatering support by its offset well. Similar behaviour is observed in the production characteristics of an old producer when a new well is drilled in a nearby location. However, effects of interference are more dominant when a well stimulation activity (fracturing or re-fracturing) is carried out in an offset well. During stimulation activity, offset wells show an abnormal decline in gas rate and wellhead pressure due to fracking fluid (water) load up in the reservoir. Conversely, a significant positive impact is seen in gas rate of both wells after the well is put back on production due to improved water production rate in the stimulated well. Permeability calculations show that natural and artificial fractures dominate production behaviour of CBM wells. The study also presents results of various simulated geo-spatial well patterns. Furthermore, it is shown that planned interference at an early time with an economically designed well spacing can maximize the production NPV of an asset for an operator.

The optimal well spacing to maintain and/or increase gas production with the right amount of resources is critical for maximised returns. This result of this study can be used as foundation to help operators optimize multi-well pad and future infill well development program based on the assessment of short-term and long-term recovery targets.

Hydrocarbon gas injection into the reservoir is one of the most effective EOR processes. In case of a dipping and light oil reservoir, immiscible gas injection can give further impetus to the oil recovery. Since, average current gas saturation in the subject reservoir has become high due to depletion rendering water injection at this late stage is found to be ineffective, scope of gravity assisted immiscible gas injection as an alternative has been evaluated to assess its impact on reservoir pressure and ultimate recovery.

The present study pertains to a high permeable clastic light oil reservoir with reasonable dip, belonging to an old field of South Assam Shelf of India under production since 1990 with current recovery of 22% of STOIIP. The reservoir being undersaturated with no aquifer support, shows significant decline in reservoir pressure (260 ksc of initial pressure to current level of 50 ksc). Simulation study has been carried out on a fine scale geo-cellular model. Multiple realizations have been created considering combinations of oil producers and gas injection wells assigning varied rates to study the different development scenarios and impact on recovery improvement. The study indicates an incremental oil recovery of about 14% of STOIIP by immiscible gas injection.

Based on the study, immiscible gas injection has been initiated in the reservoir on pilot scale basis through two gas injectors with continuous monitoring. After gas injection during last one year, reservoir pressure increased about 25 ksc and consequently per well productivity also increased. Non-flowing well starts producing and currently sand is producing nearly 25% higher than earlier production before gas injection. Based on the encouraging result from pilot gas injection, decided to expand the process at field level and subsequently drilling of new oil producers after jacking up of reservoir.

The study has brought out that the gas injection into shallower portion of the reservoir yields better sweep efficiency to displace the oil to the deeper portion of the reservoir due to the gravity effects and hence, appropriate locales of the reservoir are targeted for additional input generation to augment the oil recovery.