EMERAUDE 2000-1

Ziel

The purpose of the project EMERAUDE 2000-1 is to test the technical feasibility and the compared productivity of an inverted angle well activated by a bottomhole centrifugal pump.
This project is part of the research to improve the oil recovery rate of the EMERAUDE field presenting reserves evaluated at 800 million tons.
To reach this objective, the technique that is tested here could be associated to steam injection in the future. This technique can also be used alone to produce heavy oils with characteristics similar to those of the EMERAUDE reservoir.
If the results of this project prove satisfactory, a new offshore production system using this technology eventually in association with steam injection, could see the day. The first would be the development of the eastern side of the EMERAUDE reservoir.
- The technical feasibility (drilling, completion, production using an horizontal centrifugal pump) of an inverted angle well has been confirmed.
The flowrates and operating characteristics were measured and compared to those of the vertical well. The potential production of the inverted angle well (104 m3/d) was twice the vertical well (53 m3/d) but, because of the silt ingress, it could not be reached. In fact each of the two wells produced around 30 m3/d oil and the inverted one stopped on July 17th 1993, the bottomhole clugged by silts.
- Higher investment costs and lower productivity than expected made the economy of the project not satisfactory.
The various phases associated with inverted angle wells are as follows :
PHASE 1 - DETAIL ENGINEERING OF WELLS
The studies concern, respectively, the completion of :
- the geological predictions report
- the detailed drilling and completion report
- production start-up and exploitation procedures
- work concerning equipment and service tenders and orders.
PHASE 2 - DRILLING AND COMPLETION OF INVERTED ANGLE WELL
After setting the platform with three 24" cement piles driven into 30" drill holes, across 32" curved frame, the technical drilling programme shall be the following :
22 1/2" directional drilling to install an 18 5/8" surface casing at the top of the first reservoir. The average deviation gradient shall be 1.5 deg/10 m. The major difficulty of this phase shall be, large diameter, directional drilling through unconsolidated surface deposits.
- 17 1/2" drilling through reservoirs R1 and R2 to reach the horizontal between levels R1 and R2 before reaching the active, water-bearing levels. Apart from the directional aspect, the average deviation gradient shall be 1 deg/10 m, the major difficulty shall be crossing reservoir R2, which is partially depleted. At these angles of inclination, the risk of loss and problems of stability are increased. The drilling fluid shall be a direct emulsifying mud. A 13 3/8" casing shall be installed and cemented.
- 8 1/2" drilling to provide a rising trajectory, again passing through reservoir R2, thus providing maximum offset between the draw-off points.
Apart from the know risk associated with crossing reservoir R2 at a high angle of inclination, the major difficulty shall be directional in nature : controlling the trajectory whilst passing through alternative silty and limestone deposits. The width and geometry of the rising drain, with a gradient of 0.5 deg/10 m shall be modified according to technical possibilities. The drain shall be covered with a 7" cement liner and, if necessary, it shall be installed by rotation. COMPLETION AND ACTIVATION : the production casing shall be perforated The inverted angle well shall be fitted with an intermediate 9 5/8" casing, plugged at one end, in which the pump unit shall be installed.
PHASE 3 - PRODUCTION START-UP AND MEASUREMENTS
The wells shall be put into production using centrifugal pumps, upon completion of the module and manifold installation and pipeline hook-up.
The flowrate and operating characteristics of the inverted angle well shall be measured and compared to those of the vertical well. Changes in flow rates, BSW, GOR, the behaviour of oilwell pumps, bottom pressures and the ingress of silt shall be subject to close monitoring : recording of parameters and testing.
Phase 4 - TECHNICAL AND ECONOMICAL ANALYSIS
The measurement analysis and reporting phase shall be used to establish the technical and economic viability of this new sea production system : feasibility, cost, productivity; and shall assess the suitability of this new production system.

Programm/Programme

ENG-THERMIE 1 - Programme (EEC) for the promotion of energy technology in Europe (THERMIE), 1990-1994

Thema/Themen

5.5 - IMPROVED OIL RECOVERY

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Koordinator

Elf Aquitaine Production

EU-Beitrag

Keine Daten

Adresse

26 avenue des Lilas
64018 Pau
Frankreich

Gesamtkosten