Technical Challenges for Offshore Heavy Oil Field Developments

Wehunt, C.D.; Burke, Nancy A.; Noonan, Shauna; Bard, Thomas R.

doi:10.4043/15281-ms

Cited by 29 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Heavy oil reservoirs tend to have low pressure and low GOR (exception for foamy heavy oils), resulting generally in lower recovery factors in comparison to light oil reservoirs. Although the characteristics of the heavy oil reservoirs point to more complex and expensive production processes, factors such as high permeability can make the process worthwhile (Wehunt, 2003). …”

Section: Heavy Oil Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of heavy oil properties and its recovery and transportation methods

Santos

Loh

Bannwart

et al. 2014

Braz. J. Chem. Eng.

403

176

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-Unconventional oils -mainly heavy oils, extra heavy oils and bitumens -represent a significant share of the total oil world reserves. Oil companies have expressed interest in unconventional oil as alternative resources for the energy supply. These resources are composed usually of viscous oils and, for this reason, their use requires additional efforts to guarantee the viability of the oil recovery from the reservoir and its subsequent transportation to production wells and to ports and refineries. This review describes the main properties of high-viscosity crude oils, as well as compares traditional and emergent methods for their recovery and transportation. The main characteristics of viscous oils are discussed to highlight the oil properties that affect their flowability in the processes of recovery and pipeline transportation. Chemical composition is the starting point for the oil characterization and it has major impact on other properties, including key properties for their dynamics, such as density and viscosity. Next, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods are presented, followed by a discussion about pipeline and transportation methods. In addition, the main challenges to achieve viable recovery and transportation of unconventional oils are compared for the different alternatives proposed. The work is especially focused on the heavy oils, while other hydrocarbon solid sources, such as oil sands and shale oil, are outside of the scope of this review.

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Section: Heavy Oil Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of heavy oil properties and its recovery and transportation methods

Santos

Loh

Bannwart

et al. 2014

Braz. J. Chem. Eng.

403

176

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“…Cold heavy-oil production with sand is also known as "CHOPS." 6 In offshore environments, where effective downhole sand exclusion is required, customized mesh screens and gravel packs are common.…”

Section: Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy Oil Development: Summary of Sand Control and Well Completion Strategies Used with Multilateral Applications

Cavender

2004

IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition

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“…The economic exploitation of these reservoirs presents technological and economic challenges that must be addressed. Therefore, the initial development plan must be defined through a detailed optimization study, considering economic indicators, oil recovery and risks 1,2 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Challenges of Developing a Deep Offshore Heavy-Oil Field in Campos Basin

Figueiredo¹,

Branco²,

Prais³

et al. 2007

Proceedings of Latin American &Amp; Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractDeep offshore oil production demands very high investments (CAPEX) so its development must rely on a careful planning. This frequently takes place in a setting with very limited amount of information due to high costs of appraisal operations. The figure becomes even more complicated when heavy oils are the target: low energy reservoirs require water flooding which, in turn, reflects in low recoveries and excessive water handling, not to mention other production problems.This paper highlights different simulation studies that have been performed in order to set up an economical development plan for a 16 API 1700m water depth oil reservoir offshore Campos Basin. The main reservoir consists of a high thickness turbidite channel crossed by a N-S fault whose hydraulic conductivity is the main uncertainty. Vertically the reservoir is composed of three zones, where the upper one has a gas cap partially in contact with the two bottom ones. These structural complexities required a detailed study for positioning injectors and horizontal producers based on a decision tree analysis.

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Technical Challenges for Offshore Heavy Oil Field Developments

Cited by 29 publications

References 33 publications

An overview of heavy oil properties and its recovery and transportation methods

An overview of heavy oil properties and its recovery and transportation methods

Heavy Oil Development: Summary of Sand Control and Well Completion Strategies Used with Multilateral Applications

The Challenges of Developing a Deep Offshore Heavy-Oil Field in Campos Basin

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