Execution towards full-field deployment
Download PDFCyclic Steam Injection (CSI)
Most E&P operators are challenged with finding cost-effective solutions for improving reservoir recovery factors. Well-planned CSI can provide significant benefits, such as increased production and recovery factor. Additionally, the earlier an operator applies the method, the more likely they are to gain positive economic results.
Field pilot can provide valuable knowledge on the feasibility and potential of CSI, reduce the full field deployment risks, and increase the operator’s knowledge about the process. However, many field pilots take much longer than needed and are unsuccessful due to cost overruns, lack of clear results, inappropriate monitoring, disregard of important operational aspects, and lack of expertise.
The Halliburton method is a disciplined approach to CSI optimization that can determine the best scenario before beginning a pilot, reduce cost overruns due to trial and error, and reduce the time to positive net present value. The CSI method can offer high final oil recoveries, with records indicating up to 65% of the OOIP when proper reservoirs are chosen, sound pilot design, and execution excellence. Halliburton can achieve this by acting as an integrated service provider with complete oversight of the entire process from visualization to evaluation of the pilot. Our approach offers the possibility of successfully executing a pilot before cost-effectively extending the technique.
A multidisciplinary NOC-Halliburton team developed a pilot design based on results from the integrated reservoir study. The diagnosis study shows a steam-to-oil ratio (SOR) of 0.33, which increased cost efficiency by about 9 times compared to the average
Hot oil (first cycle of steam injection) was 11 times higher than cold, which is 3 times higher than the worldwide average.
CSI is ideal for viscous oil reservoirs with good horizontal permeability and medium thickness net pay. Non-fractured sandstones are preferred, but deployment in carbonate is also possible.
Typically, CSI is implemented right after the primary exploitation phase and in some cases as a previous step for steam flooding.
Halliburton offers a tailored solution at any stage of your field’s life using a five-phase approach. The main advantage of the approach is that the operator can start the process at their convenience.
The above phases can provide clients:
To optimize conditions for the pilot, the operator addresses main concerns such as the length of injection cycle, the amount of steam to be injected, the water source, the conditions for the water treatment plant, and building and operating restrictions.
Deliverables include a representative pilot area, well integrity analysis, rock and fluids characterization, a suitable laboratory work program to evaluate changes in oil saturation during steam injection, numerical simulation, facility design, construction, and operation, among others.
The estimated project duration, including execution and monitoring of a pilot, is around 24 months. The start of the commercialization phase relies on the pilot’s response.
In summary, Halliburton’s five-phase approach can provide a structured outlook, including uncertainty, economics, and risks for the pilot and first-cut economic forecasts for full field implementation.
Halliburton consultants assess and collaboratively design engineered solutions to continuously improve asset value.