Investigation on the Continued Production of the Naval Petroleum Reserves Beyond April 5, 1985

摘要

This report describes the scope, findings and conclusions of an investigation which has been conducted by the Department of Energy to determine whether it is in the national interest to continue production of the Naval Petroleum Reserves (NPR) for another three years beyond April 5, 1985. The investigation considered the impacts on the national interest in terms of national defense capabilities, the national economy, local and regional economies, and national energy objectives. The conclusion is that continued production of NPR-3, until April 1988, is in the national interest for the following reasons: (1) The remaining reserves and potential production rates at NPR-3 are so small that there would be virtually no national defense value or other national benefit in conserving NPR-3 for future use. NPR-3 production will be only about 3200 barrels per day in 1985, and total remaining recoverable reserves at NPR-3 will be less than 13 million barrels, using conventional recovery methods. (2) Extensive enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques have been initiated at NPR-3 to increase significantly the ultimate total recovery from this Reserve where it is estimated that only slightly over 5% of the oil in place can be recovered using primary and secondary recovery techniques. Shutting in the Reserve would effectively negate the EOR efforts already expended at the site. Continued production will permit continuation of the long-term EOR efforts, which could increase ultimate recovery by 30 to 80 million barrels. 9 tables. (ERA citation 09:045427)