The First Successful Offshore Slickline-Deployed ESP Project in Asia

Abstract

The offshore Brunei fields have been producing for over 40 years with 50 platforms and over 400 wells. Historically the predominant method of artificial lift used in the field has been gas lift with significant gas compression infrastructure on the main producing complex. The project is part of a new larger waterflood project that is expected to increase recovery from this field. This phase aims to produce an underdeveloped, shallower area of the field using electrical submersible pumps (ESP) as the lift method. The well jackets are small, and the use of a workover rig requires a barge for support. This limitation increases the costs of a traditional ESP workover. The long-term economics of traditional offshore ESP projects were marginal and required greater than industry standard ESP run life. In 2016 it was decided to perform a review of an alternative slickline-deployed ESP system to reduce workover costs. A pilot project of 4 wells was commissioned. Learnings from the project include: Equipment technical qualificationEquipment design and selectionManufacturing processInstallationOngoing operations, including intervention to replace retrievable componentsWell performance summary. The insights and benefits from these first installations in the region will aid other operators in considering slickline-conveyed ESP systems. The potential benefits include improved recovery, lower workover costs, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The reduced power requirements of the technology and the avoidance of heavy workovers to change out downhole equipment are primary benefits that have wide application in offshore and remote onshore operations.