Optimisation of an Aggressive Drilling Programme at the Statfjord Field – Maximising Production in a Mature Field

摘要

The giant Statoil-operated North Sea oil field Statfjord isrncurrently far down its production decline curve. During 23rnyears of production more than 60% of the STOOIP has beenrnrecovered, and the remaining reserves are characterized byrncomplex distributions of oil, water and gas.rnIn order to obtain a cost-effective production of thernremaining oil, an aggressive drilling and interventionrnprogramme is necessary. The main challenge that therngeoscientists and reservoir engineers face in this scenario is tornidentify remaining oil in targets becoming increasinglyrnsmaller, more complex and more uncertain, and to drain thesernin the most profitable manner. This paper reviews the workingrnmethod that has been used at the Statfjord Field when definingrna drilling schedule. It shows how the different work processesrnare linked, starting with the identification of possible new wellrnlocations, continuing with the estimation of reserves and riskrnevaluation and ending up with final drilling projects.