In developing and producing its oil fields, Oxy applies "fit for purpose" technology in order to optimize the economic value of the hydrocarbon resource. Front-end investments in wells, production facilities and pipelines become profitable through long-term production of hydrocarbons.
Decisions regarding field development often require comparison of alternative development investment schemes such as improved recovery or enhanced recovery. Therefore, for each development plan under evaluation, it is necessary to predict the field's future production over a period of many years. Reservoir characterization, which includes geologic modeling and petrophysical analysis, and simulation technologies are often used to develop reliable production forecasts.
Geologic Modeling
Illustration depicting the Oxy-operated Idd El Shargi South Dome field in Qatar, with purple and red lines showing the well paths within the model of the producing formation. View larger...
Oxy utilizes 3-D computer modeling of the subsurface geology and the rock and fluid properties of oil and gas fields for a variety of purposes: to determine the size of the hydrocarbon accumulation; to provide the framework for simulation of fluid flow during hydrocarbon production; to plan well trajectories for developing the fields; and/or to aid reservoir surveillance during production. Created with an integrated set of data derived from well logs and cores, seismic surveys and production tests, this versatile tool is based on a conceptual model of the subsurface geology.
Petrophysics
Image interpretation on a well at Oxy THUMS in Long Beach, California, showing bed (black) and fracture orientation (green). View larger...
Petrophysics is the study of the physical and chemical properties of rocks and fluids through interpretation of open hole logs, cased hole logs and core data. Using state-of-the-art tools, Oxy petrophysicists can define the lithology (type of rock), porosity (pore space), fluid saturations (oil, gas and water), fluid contacts and permeability – key information for development planning. Oxy also excels in image log interpretation, a method of defining subsurface geologic features such as layer and fracture orientation and depositional environment.
Reservoir Simulation
This comparison of the performance of alternate injection strategies – number of injection wells and configuration – is one of many performed by Oxy on reservoirs in the Permian Basin. Oxy uses waterflooding and/or carbon dioxide flooding to increase recovery in virtually all of its reservoirs in the Permain Basin. View larger...
To predict dynamic behavior in a reservoir with a detailed geological description, Oxy geoscientists use reservoir simulators, which solve the equations for the flow of fluids within a reservoir, and to and from wells. Accurate predictions for such reservoirs cannot be achieved with simpler tools.
An actual reservoir can be developed and produced only once, but alternate developments can be evaluated many times on the computer using reservoir simulation.
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water are injected in the wellbore in alternating cycles into the reservoir, sweeping the oil to a production well where it is pumped to the surface. This process allows recovery of an additional 5 to 20 percent of the oil in the formation. View larger...
Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques increase the amount of oil extracted from a reservoir after primary and secondary recovery methods have run their course. Oxy is an acknowledged leader in applying the tertiary recovery method of carbon dioxide flooding, in which CO2 acts as a solvent that releases trapped oil from porous rocks and causes it to flow more easily to the wellhead, significantly extending the economic life of an oil field.
Improved Recovery
Oxy's application of improved recovery technologies at the Idd El Shargi North Dome (ISND) field, located approximately 50 miles east of the Qatar peninsula, has resulted in a significant production increase since Oxy began operating the field in 1994. View larger...
Oxy excels at developing new reserves in existing fields through superior application of improved recovery technologies. In such cases, opportunity is assessed or captured by combining complementary approaches and techniques such as reservoir characterization; infill drilling, including horizontal and multi-lateral wells; and waterflooding to increase rates and reserves. In addition, integrated well reviews typically lead to well intervention opportunities (stimulations, recompletions, artificial lift, etc.), enabling early production benefits.