This paper summarizes the strategies implemented in a mature oil field in Ecuador to revive its production by improving energy efficiency, increasing fluid production and incorporating proved reserves. Results are shown in terms of the field energy efficiency index, energy consumption on ESPs, oil production, annual production decrease tendency and reserves incorporation. The Choke Model philosophy was implemented as a strategy for field development optimization. This methodology allowed the operator to identify that the main chokes were the production wells and the power. By using divergent and convergent thinking techniques focused on these chokes, four main strategies were selected: reduce the pipe diameter size of a fluid line, artificial lift system energy assessment, reactivate closed wells and recomplete others. Complete description of the methodology is provided in detail to permit readers to analyze this successful case. The reduction of pipe size diameter of a fluid line increased the mobility of the fluid from the well pads to the plant, eliminated the recirculation of water and thus increase the energy efficiency indicator of fluid handling from 9,770 to 10,190 BFPD/HP. The energy assessment of the artificial lift systems identified the inefficient wells that were scheduled for ESP redesign and technology upgrade with an energy improvement of 30%. All these energy efficiency improvements lead to rise fluid production. Based on the possibility to increase fluid production, wells reactivations, ESP upsizing’s and recompletions were planned. The team used a screening process to optimize candidates, gaining 2,010 BOPD, in average, over the baseline production profile since September 2017 to December 2018. The activities performed and well interventions diminished the annual oil production decline rate from 14% to 8%, allowed the operator to incorporate 4.8 MBBLS of proved reserves in 2018 and generate 7.6 MUSD of free cash flow in the same year. All the strategies were successfully achieved, and they accomplished the objectives of reviving a mature field, extending its life and generating value for the operator. None of the previous were possible without rethinking energy sustainability and reservoir management. The novelty of this work is the multidisciplinary approach and innovation methodology implemented to provide solutions to operational field chokes by identifying feasible projects in terms of technique, time and economics.

No abstract