Near wellbore impairment result from various factors such as mud invasion, filter cake deposition, and fines migration in producing fields. Micro Emulsion Chemistry, other than the traditional acid stimulation presents a new and novel remedial treatment for near wellbore impairment. A microemulsion is a typical Newtonian fluid system distinguished from emulsions owing to its being stable thermodynamically and self-organizing. This technical paper explains the process of candidate selection, data gathering, job execution, and resultant crude oil gain from deploying micro-emulsion technology (MET) on some strings in the Ogini and Isoko fields. The fields have different and unique challenges. While the Ogini field has characteristic heavy oil and viscous crude, the Isoko field has wax deposition challenges. Deploying MET treatment in both fields yielded record-breaking results and productivity (PI) improvements in multiple folds. A total of 3,500 bopd (incremental oil) was achieved from treatment on four strings in both fields.

Managed by a joint operating team tagged the Asset Management Team (AMT), the OML 26 Asset has undergone a total transformation in all ramifications of the oil and gas operations. Within the space of three years, the Asset has recorded a 122% cumulative annual growth (CAGR) for reserve base increase, a 43% CAGR in production rate increase without drilling new wells, and a 38% CAGR in total production offtake. The direct unit operating cost also improved significantly averaging 31% year on year improvement. From Q4 of 2018, the Asset witnessed breakthrough performance attaining a peak production of ca 18,000 bopd in 2019 from existing drainage points. The rate is the highest rate ever recorded in the long history of the Asset. This is an excellent achievement for a mid-sized E&P company. This paper aims to share the techniques deployed to attain such a sterling production boost in a 45-year-old field.

Oil Mining Lease 26 (OML 26) is held by NNPC and First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited (FHN) in a Joint Venture relationship and operated by an Asset Management Team (AMT). The license consists of several oil and gas discoveries including the Ogini, Isoko, and Ozoro fields on the western part, Ovo in the central area and Aboh to the east. Oil Production is mainly from the Ogini and Isoko fields with the Ogini field contributing the largest volume. The Ogini oil is relatively heavy, with in-situ oil viscosity ranging from 3 to 59cp, and an oil gravity ranging from 15°API to 19°API. Field development and production from the Ogini field has been very challenging with the characteristic low GOR, low rate and high watercut. Oil production peaked at 8,900 stb/d shortly after field start-up in the 80s and has been declining since then. In 2018 however, the field witnessed breakthrough performance stemming from production optimization initiatives and strategies which unlocked resource potential of the field. A peak production of ca 17,000 bopd was recorded during Q4 of 2018 without drilling new wells. A number of production enhancement activities carefully designed, planned, and executed coupled with change in operations philosophy released more volumes transforming the production levels and production profile of the field from a mere 3,000bopd to ca 17,000 bopd peak production. This paper highlights the strategies, optimization techniques and the paradigm shift in operational culture that resulted in the significant change and ramp up of production in the field.