Heavy Oil Enhancement Process for Deep Heavy Oil Reservoir in Kuwait Field

Abstract

Kuwait is in the process of developing the deeper heavier oil reservoirs as part of Kuwait's national oil production strategy and KPC strategy 2040. This is in order to increase the oil production capacity for the next decade. The enhanced recovery of heavy oil assets needs a high level of expertise, optimum technologies and techniques, which are tailored to the distinctive challenges of the reservoirs and performed in a cost effective manner to optimize output and maximize economic benefits and rate of returns. Several wells are perforated in the zones of interest of the reservoir within the study area, which is currently under production using Progressing Cavity Pumps and is under natural production phase. The low productivity oil producers are completed in the Burgan reservoir. This reservoir is characterized by very high viscous crude oil around 15,000 cp, with a low gas-oil ratio (10-30) and with little or no primary drive mechanisms. The project requires overcoming certain challenges the following challenges are identified as the key challenges: Limited fluid mobility which is due to the high viscosity of the oil. Absence of drive support associated with the dissolved gas, the depth of the well, and the oil and its compositional gradient reservoir. Non-thermal well completion of the well, and the perforation design policy that was implemented. Lack of fluid/rock characterization and being in an oil-wet system. In the design of this project, the suggested method to be used is a non-thermal optimization process "chemical treatment ". The chemical treatment will be implemented as the chosen technology for a well that ceased producing in 2009. This method which has been applied globally and has also been proven to have less impact on the environment as per KOC HSE policy. The selected environmentally friendly method has three important mechanisms, which are as follows: Acts as a Wettability alteration agent. Acts as a Viscosity reducer agent. Acts as an Asphaltene inhibitor agent. KOC successfully conducted a pilot in 2016 and after the well was put back on to the production phase an increase of 300 bbl/day (net oil) was attained. The return of investment (ROI) of this pilot was a key economic calculation in answering the economic benefits of this procedure and in validating the project. As well showing the economic benefits of the projects value and its impact on the margin. The return of investment (ROI) was captured within day of production, with the total profit for the first 34 days was 438,885.52 USD.