Objective
This project concerns a steam injection pilot for the EMERAUDE heavy oil field, offshore Congo (ELF-CONGO/AGIP), in a water depth of 65 m.
The important accumulation (575 million tons) and the low recovery rate (3%) obtained by primary production explain the efforts that were undertaken to make a pilot and prove that an industrial development is possible by injecting steam in spite of existing problems (shallow beds, reservoir, nature, oil quality...).
A new thermal model to suit the specific characteristics of the EMERAUDE field was modified. Calibration of the state of reservoirs observed during the EMV drilling operations, primary depletion period and of different tests ran in 1983, has made it possible to test these modifications.
Interpretation of the results after a 30 months continuous steam injection in five spots R1 and R2 and the two cycles ran in the huff and puff well R3, led to the following conclusions :
- At level R1 :
After perforating most layers at this level, a sharp increase in oil production has been noticed (from 30 m3/d to 200 m3/d) and thermal reactions have been observed on two different wells. A radial circular model has been used which showed that some tertiary oil could be produced.
- At level R2 :
Very encouraging results have been obtained at this level. Three wells reacted to steam injection. Two are still on an increasing phase as the last one is on a decreasing phase after having produced ata rate four times bigger than primary production rate. Computed results and measurements are in good agreement, steam drive is a technical success at tis level.
- At level R3 :
Abandon cyclic steam injection this process is not suitable for this geological pattern.
By end 1987 it was impossible to draw all the conclusions. A technico-economic report seems premature, particulary in this degrading economical environment ever since realisation of the pilot has been decided. However, extension of the pilot to all or part of the Emeraude field seems totally excluded.
Engineering works, started end 1980, within the scope of contract TH 5033/81, have made it possible to define the platforms and equipment necessary for this pilot. The equipment was set in-place between December 1981 and June 1983. Drilling operations started in July 1983, without the help of the Community, continued in 1984. The first water injection tests began in October 1983, within the scope of contract TH 5042/82. Steam injection tests began in 1985.
The present contract is divided into three phases :
- preparation of a numerical model
- analysis of measures taken during tests
- final results of the pilot.
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
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DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
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France