Samarang Field - Seismic To Simulation Redevelopment Evaluation Brings New Life to an Old Oilfield, Offshore Sabah, Malaysia

摘要

Samarang field is a 35 year-old oilfield offshore Malaysia that was initially developed by Shell beginning in 1975. The field was relinquished to Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) in 1995, which continued field operations and were able to significantly reduce the production decline rates. PCSB also transformed the field into a producing hub, allowing development of two small adjacent fields by reducing the required capital costs. However by 2003, the field was in trouble with production declining and reserves dwindling, suggesting field abandonment was on the horizon. Beginning in 2004, PCSB outsourced a major redevelopment evaluation to a multi-disciplinary, international consulting team. They maintained control by using internal expertise to peer review and assist the team's progress throughout the evaluation and at key milestone meetings. This process allowed PCSB to leverage their own organization's skills while using new technology tools employed by the team. The evaluation included a complete review of all static data, literally a seismic to simulation study approach, employing virtually every subsurface discipline in an attempt to unlock the field's remaining value. The results were full-field static and dynamic models covering the entire field and allowing an integrated redevelopment plan. This plan consists of numerous infill producers and selective application of enhanced oil recovery. In addition, several near-field exploratory targets were identified. Field redevelopment is currently being implemented in a phased approach including 1) ongoing production enhancement, 2) sidetracking of idle wells to updip positions, 3) addition of new well jackets for additional development wells, and 4) selective injection into the larger reservoirs with relatively lower primary recovery. The evaluation will provide dividends for years to come with expected doubling of current production and extension of field life for another 15 years.