An Integrated Multidisciplinary Approach in Water Flooding Project Design for Future EOR Plan in Mature Oil Field Development

Abstract

As an oil field gradually enters the maturation phase, which is indicated by the increasing high water–cut, it will face unprecedented challenges in further improving its oil recovery. Various techniques for tapping the potential hydrocarbons can be implemented, including water flooding as a stepping-stone prior to entering the Enhanced Oil Recovery phase. The successful implementation of water flood depends on the strong foundation of the project design. Any business decision that generates profits and meets the economic standards of the company should be defined precisely during the project design. The workflow consisted of coordinating each diverse element of design in the project. These activities required an iteration process by combining data and coordinating all key personnel from different expertise who worked as one team to plan and design the project: subsurface engineering, production and operation engineering, project and construction engineering, and also drilling and well intervention engineering. During the process study, all team members gathered and brainstormed their ideas based on their disciplinary background. This collaboration played an important role in gaining a holistic approach, by linking valuable information and available technology in technical design, project economic analysis, and also project risk mitigation identification. Ultimately this integrated multidisciplinary approach was useful to address technical and business issues related to water flood project design, in order to achieve the most optimal scenario of water flood project: the most efficient injection (at the right location of a healthy sweet spot reservoir) with the lowest project costs by maximizing the use of existing facilities. This water flood concept design has contributed to engineering decisions towards the EOR phase, as well as maximizing the project value.