International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition of Mexico

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 1998 International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition of Mexico held in Villahermosa, Mexico, 3-5 March 1998.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 1998 International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition of Mexico held in Villahermosa, Mexico, 3-5 March 1998.

Abstract

This paper summarizes the application of the PEP/IMP Transitory Criteria for the assessment of fixed offshore platforms located in the Bay of Campeche, Mexico. Comparisons of the Transitory Criteria with the Section 17 of API-RP2A, 20th edition are made, utilizing two sets of metocean data. Design level analysis and ultimate strength analysis results and comparisons are presented, which included the application of the Load Reduction Factors (LRF's) and calculation of the Reserve Strength Ratios (RSR's). Also, seismic assessment procedures, results and comparisons are summarized. The results of the analyses using metocean and seismic loadings were used to determine the fitness-for-purpose adequacy of 14 PEMEX platforms located in the Southwest Marine Region of the Bay of Campeche.

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Abstract

Focusing on the Smoerbukk (Smorbukk) fields it is proposed to introduce imbibition capillary pressure by a new method which entails representing Pc analytically starting from the primary drainage curve. Predicted saturation is shown to agree with wireline log data from a Smoerbukk South well were the initial distribution of saturation was likely established by an imbibition process. Numerical simulation shows that introducing imbibition capillary pressure siguificantly reduced predicted water cut in downflanks producers as compared to simulations presuming no capillary transition zone. This allowed repositioning the producers closer to the oil-water contact, thereby increasing recovery.

Finally, it is demonstrated that numerical simulation efficiency improved by introducing imbibition capillary pressure.

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Abstract

This paper reviews waterflood management practices, highlighting key industry papers. It is intended to move readers up the "learning curve" and provide a road map for implementing and operating a successful waterflood project. It will assist reservoir engineers, production-operations engineers, and development geologists who are involved in or are contemplating waterflood operations.

The paper addresses operating philosophy, well spacing (density), pattern development (selection), completions, injection water, and surveillance. Although these factors are presented from a west Texas perspective, they are applicable to reservoirs having a high degree of vertical and areal heterogeneity.

In addition to a brief history of water-flooding, the paper reflects "lessons learned" through years of experience in waterflooding and CO flooding carbonate reservoirs, principally in west Texas. This experience has been gained through work in both a major and a large independent oil company, through interfacing with outside operators of all sizes, and through consulting for small, independent oil companies.

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Abstract

Demand for natural gas in Mexico is expanding. This increase in the use of gas is due to a rapidly developing household market and to substitution with gas of heavy fuel oils for industrial uses. Increasingly stringent environmental standards are incentivating this demand. Pemex Exploration and Production, as the government agency responsible for finding, developing and producing Mexico's oil and gas resources has implemented strategic projects to fulfill the growing need for gas supplies. This presentation gives an overview of the actions that Pemex E & P has and is taking in the Burgos and Veracruz basins to help satisfy the nation's need for gas.

Both Burgos and Veracruz are tertiary siliciclastic basins located in the western margin of the Gulf of Mexico proper, and both are producers of dry sweet gas. Burgos is located in northeastern Mexico, it covers 49,800 km2. It is limited to the west and south by east diping mesozoic marls and limestones, to the east by the continental slope and to the north by the Rio Bravo del Norte (Rio Grande River), although the basin itself continues into South Texas, where it is known as the Rio Grande Embayment (Texas Railroad Commission, District IV). The Veracruz basin with an areal extent of 18,000 Km2 is located on east central Mexico and is limited to the west by a laramide thrusted foldbelt (producer of sour wet gas, condensates and some oils), to the north by recent volcanic rocks, to the east by the continental slope and to the south it becomes the Isthmus Saline basin. Dry gas production reached a maximum of 620 MMcfd in 1970 for Burgos and 45 MMcfd in 1971 for Veracruz.

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Abstract

This paper focuses on Shell's practice for deepwater US Gulf of Mexico integrated geoscience studies with explanations and examples on how to apply and use the methodology. The applicability of high-resolution geophysical data in deepwater depends on: 1) the usefulness and applicability of 3-D exploration-level seismic data for geohazard studies through the use of renderings and other 3 -D workstation related products, 2) a review of side scan sonar and subbottom profiler methods and their appropriateness. Discussed also is the usefulness of multifold data and why 3-D high-resolution acquisition may be a necessary requirement for the future. In addition, present deepwater geotechnical investigation practices are discussed.

Examples of integrated geoscience studies are used to illustrate their use in the design of deepwater foundations.

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This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition of Mexico held in Villahermosa, Mexico, 3-5 March 1998.

The information available for characterizing a reservoir is insufficient to develop a unique model. However, by applying the proper reservoir characterization methodology, a model can be constructed that optimizes and integrates all the data and thus facilitates the identification of reserve growth potential. This methodology contains four steps: (1) determining reservoir architecture, (2) establishing fluid-flow trends, (3) constructing reservoir model, and (4) identifying reserve growth potential. The key to determining reservoir architecture is the application of genetic sequence stratigraphy. The reservoir architecture is determined by ascertaining the internal reservoir stratigraphy, defining the stratigraphic unit geometries, interpreting the distribution of depositional environments, and combining stratigraphy with structural character. Establishing fluid-flow trends should be accomplished within the context of the stratigraphy. This step includes determining the initial fluid and rock-fluid properties, generating a production-time-series analysis, analyzing any variation in fluid chemistry, assessing well test data, and determining the direction of injected fluids. The third and pivotal step of constructing a reservoir model by integrating reservoir architecture and fluid-flow trends has four steps. It begins with designing geologically based petrophysical models, then concurrently identifying the correspondence between reservoir architecture and fluid-flow trends, then establishing the reservoir model flow unit and compartment components. Next, the petrophysical properties are distributed spatially and the hydrocarbons in place are calculated. The final step is identifying reserve growth potential. It is accomplished by calculating reserves, delineating the remaining hydrocarbon resource, generating reserve growth concepts, and targeting reserve growth opportunities.

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A case of identifying and analysis of key variables into a crude-oil reception, conditioning and distribution station using Statistical Process Control Techniques (SPC), is presented. The station identified as "Terminal Maritima de Dos Bocas" (TMDB), situated near the town of Paraiso in the SouthEast Mexican state of Tabasco, receives eight crude lines from Campeche offshore plataforms and some South land-reservoirs, moreover it conditioning and distributes crude-oil for international and domestic commerce.

Owing the high international markets crude-oil competition and its respective demand of more strict conditions of quality for it commerce, it is neccesary to incorporate new technologies to the terminal looking for satisfying present and future needs. To do this, it was primary important to make a review of the process and proceedings in the terminal driven, with the objetive of identify those variables with high influence on its products quality and which determines it (i.e. Key Variables). We follow the methodology of Statistical Process Control to find out this key-variables and to quantify the benefits we should have for the implementation of such tehcniques as first step to the general application of the methodology in real time.

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