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In the upstream oil and gas production sector, unplanned production deferment (UPD) is defined as the conduit production flow deviation from technical potential due to unscheduled interruptions. Low UPD is a key indicator of a facility's operational excellence. High UPD reflects that a facility is facing frequent downtime of critical equipment, poor work schedule planning and execution, under-performing producer wells, inability to meet the facility's production targets, increased expenditure, as well as possible additional work-related stress among the employees. In this case study, UPD of a Malaysian upstream brownfield production facility is mostly affected by wells-related (33%), process-related (31%), and rotating equipment (25%). A clear framework has to be in place to resolve and address the UPD, with improvement recommendations detailed out for deliberation. The outcomes of UPD reduction efforts heavily depend on the integration as well as collaboration of people, processes and technology.

In offshore environment, it is common for operators to develop the field with high deviation wells, in order to optimize both field development cost and reservoir drainage. Well intervention for high deviation wells can be difficult, as specialized tools are needed for well intervention in high deviation wells. As such, high deviation wells normally have well issues after 5 years of production. In Field B, 4 high deviation wells were having unhealthy well lifting, well lifting diagnostics and optimization was needed in order to sustain well and field production. CO2 Tracer Survey was selected for well lifting diagnostics, and all wells were found to have some degree of well lifting issue. With the result from CO2 Tracer Survey, gas lift optimization was conducted, and well was restored to its design condition.

Brownfield redevelopment presents challenges such as project risks, uncertain rate of return and cost optimization. A Malaysian offshore brownfield, which has been producing for more than 30 years, is redeveloped through infill drilling of new oil producer wells and water injector wells. Water injection facilities are brought into this brownfield by an MOPU. In this case study, a previous drilling rig was refurbished and converted into a mobile water injection facilities jack-up. Total duration of 12 months was taken to complete the conversion, mobilize, install, tie-in to the brownfield facilities, and commission the unit. The mobile and leased application of this water injection facilities jack-up mitigates the project risks, addresses the uncertain returns, reduces the initial capital investment, and has the flexibility to be relocated. It also contributes to the overall brownfield operations, by upgrading its philosophy from unmanned to manned concept.