Active Field Development without Harm to Saudi Arabia's Ecosystems

Reliably and responsibly meeting global energy demands is often a challenge involving a delicate balance between environmental stewardship and operational excellence. One such challenge involves the protection of the delicate Arabian Gulf coast ecosystem while developing an enormous hydrocarbon reservoir that lies underneath. The scope of the paper is to reflect on the lessons resulting from the design and execution of safe rigless activities leading to a prolific field development. The field’s development is a crucial element in the company’s energy supply strategy with a significant increment to the anticipated production levels. The approach adopted involves the optimum use of limited drill site space for surface well testing equipment layout. The testing methodology involved smokeless deliverability tests with reduced environmental impact. The design considerations include averting uncontrolled hydrocarbon release to the environment through processing and treating for H2S and water on dedicated process tanks. The design included significant improvements in air flow systems and enhancement of crude characteristics for smokeless flare enhancement. Field data of critical variables was continuously evaluated in after action reviews for applicable technology solutions. Specifically, the results include the successful execution of a rigless campaign involving over 60 producers. Although oil well deliverability testing of conventional producers seems commonplace in the oil field, managing ecological, operational constraints, close well spacing, heat radiation, pollution, and a potential release of H2S to the environment from sour crude requires a painstaking commitment to ensure sound engineering and environmental practices.