Implications of Injection Water Capacity Limitations in Field Development in Deepwater Nigeria

摘要

The economics of deepwater oil field developments rely heavily on the availability of high oil production rate wells that can generate early income to pay for the high CAPEX invested in such field developments. In addition to the cash flow is the uncertainty that surround such high CAPEX developments. For example the influence of governments and policy changes leaves the investor no choice than to ensure early recovery of investment. To support the required high oil production rates, the reservoir pressures must be maintained to minimize the chances of breakout of gas in the reservoir in an under saturated system or production of gas cap gas in a saturated system. Often times, the question is not whether to apply a reservoir maintenance scheme or doubts about the strength of the aquifer but when is the appropriate time to implement the water injection scheme and thus optimize the development for stakeholders both in terms of economics and ultimate recovery. The choice of scheme to employ follows the decision to provide reservoir pressure support as part of reservoir management strategy. Water injection in the deepwater setting appear to be a preferable choice over gas given the ready availability of sea water and less complications in the operation of the injection system when compared to gas injection.