Overview

Every mature field has unique characteristics, and, often, several viable options for revitalization stand out. However, pursuing some options eliminates attempting alternatives. Once a decision is made to implement some revitalization options, it is very expensive, if not impossible, to change course and attempt alternatives that had been identified earlier in the evaluation process. The risk of high costs or pursuing the wrong alternatives must be minimized because, even at higher oil prices, many revitalization projects are marginally economic. Obtaining information specific to the mature field can contribute to reducing these risks. Simulations and pilot projects can use data effectively to narrow down options. Often, though, economic limits constrain how much actual data can be gathered. Thus, previous experience in revitalizing similar types of fields can be very leveraging for mature fields.

SPE membership provides access to archived SPE papers, which can be used to help identify and rank revitalization alternatives. The papers presented in this section are, in many ways, representative of all the papers presented in the last 12 months from which these four were selected. Literally thousands of other SPE papers have been presented over the last few years, providing useful details regarding the success and challenges of hundreds of revitalization techniques. The most recent technical papers include current details on the use of best available technology to revitalize mature fields around the world.

The technology behind revitalization techniques presented in papers more than a year old may be slightly out of date, but much can be learned by reviewing the approach taken to investigate potential solutions, the types of options considered, and the progression from ideas to realities presented in the papers. Just as petroleum-engineering tools advance over time, techniques for revitalizing mature fields improve as lessons are learned from past experiences. Incredible knowledge-sharing dividends are available to SPE members aware of previous work performed in mature fields similar to those fields that now need to be revitalized.

Intelligent Completions To Optimize Waterflood Process in a Mature North Sea Field
Usari BQI Field Redevelopment
New Oil Recovery From an Old Field: A Case Study in the Western Desert of Egypt
Field Surveillance and Well-Services Management in a Large Mature Onshore Field

David Lagerlef, SPE, Kuparuk Offtake Coordinator, ConocoPhillips Inc., has spent more than 25 years in the upstream oil and gas business. Most of his career has been in Alaska, with various engineering responsibilities for the Prudhoe Bay and Kuparuk fields. Lagerlef holds a BS degree in civil engineering from California State U. at Chico and an MBA degree from the U. of Alaska at Anchorage. He has coauthored seven SPE papers and has held several leadership positions in the SPE Alaska Section, including Chairperson and Program Chairperson. Lagerlef currently serves on the JPT Editorial Committee.

Overview

Related Reading