IPTC 2007: International Petroleum Technology Conference

Although conventional 3D reflection seismic data has been
invaluable in the exploration and development of oil and gas
fields worldwide, the stand-alone technology fundamentally
lacks the resolution required to adequately characterize
complex, thin-bedded hydrocarbon reservoirs. Limited vertical
seismic resolution, implicitly defined at ¼ wavelength tuning
thickness, can become particularly problematic when
predicting reservoir dimensions, and ultimately for risk and
reserve evaluation. Widess (1973) observed that thickness
estimation of a “thin-bed”, below ¼ wavelength tuning, can be
detected (or is encoded) within the amplitude of the composite
amplitude, which results from the increasing constructive
interference of the top and base reflections as the bed thins.
Herein, a methodology is introduced whereby aggregate
reservoir sandstone thickness is successfully predicted away
from well control via full bandwidth (0 to 25 Hz) inverted
seismic impedance.

The surveillance and optimization of Norman Wells, a
waterflooded fractured-carbonate reservoir in northern
Canada, is presented. Discovered and on-production since
1920, Norman Wells is one of Canada's largest conventionally
produced oil fields. Full development of this resource was
undertaken in the early 1980's when directional and horizontal
drilling technology allowed access to the majority of the
reservoir, which underlies the Mackenzie River.

Al Khalij could be viewed as the archetypal complex
carbonate field. Laterally sealed by a stratigraphic closure, the
reservoir monocline consists in a layercake of alternating good
and poor quality rock whose fabric has been intensively
reworked during multiple phases of diagenesis. Additionally,
the oil column is relatively thin and average water saturation
above free water level exceeds 85%.

A kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI) can only delay hydrate formation for a limited period of time (the hold time). Larger thermodynamic driving forces for hydrate formation result in shorter hold times. When using a KHI, an element of water must be produced out of a production system before the hold time elapses.

Host governments in developing countries are placing
increased focus on gas conservation where gas cannot be
easily exported. In Angola, a recent field development plan
included the provision for Water Alternate Gas (WAG)
injection to maximize ultimate oil recovery and minimize
flaring.

Subsea pipeline transportation of wet gas over signifi cant distances to an onshore or offshore facility for processing can be a key element
in the development of large offshore gas resources. Full well stream carbon steel pipelines offer substantial cost advantages over
alternatives such as offshore gas dehydration or pipelines clad with corrosion-resistant alloys. However, such well streams are typically
highly corrosive to carbon steel and subject to complex and variable multiphase fl ow conditions. Realizing the twin objectives of optimum
capital expenditure and long-term facility integrity, therefore, requires both a comprehensive fl ow assurance approach and a robust,
highly effective corrosion control program.

The presentation summarises the basic principles of Pipeline
Corrosion Management and updates the experience of one of
the major integrated international Oil & Gas companies which
cumulates experience feed-back of successes and problems in
corrosion and integrity for more than 50 years.

Geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide in aquifers or in
hydrocarbon reservoirs offer a promising alternative to reduce
the amount of CO2 released to the atmosphere. Most prior
work has focused on CO2 containment. However, target
reservoirs can have low permeability and are often finite, and
the ability to properly model the injection stage is of
significant economic concern.

This paper outlines the successful integration of subsurface,
water handling, well surveillance and production operations
teams across the North Kuwait asset to significantly improve
the operating procedure for waterflooding the Sabiriyah
Mauddud field. This effort required a new way of managing
this reservoir in NK: a multifaceted approach of balancing
voidage with injection, conducting extensive
surveillance/analysis within the reservoir to assess the efficacy
of various courses of action and, most significantly, adjusting
various teams’ “key performance indicators” (KPIs) to align
injection and production allowables with sound reservoir
management principles.