Understanding Reservoir Fluid Behavior to Mitigate Risk Associated to Asphaltene Deposition in the Reservoir Rock Near to Asphaltene Onset Pressure AOP in the Magwa Marrat Depleted Reservoir

Abstract

Abstract The Magwa-Marrat field started production early 1984 with an initial reservoir pressure of 9,600 psia Thirty-six (36) producer wells have been drilled until now. By 1999, when the field had accumulated ~92 MMSTB of produced oil and the reservoir pressure had declined to ~8000 psia, the field was shut-in until late 2003 due to concerns on asphaltene deposition in the reservoir that could cause irreversible damage and total recovery losses. The field was restarted in 2003 an it has been in production since then. By April 2018 the field had produced 220 MMSTBO, with the average reservoir pressure declined to 6,400 psia. As crude oil has been produced and the energy of the reservoir has depleted, the equilibrium of its fluid components has been disturbed and asphaltenes have precipitated out of the liquid phase and deposited in the production tubing. There is a concern that the reservoir will encounter asphaltene problems as the reservoir pressure drops further. The objective of this manuscript is to present the process to understand the reservoir fluids behavior as it relates to asphaltenes issues and develop a work frame to recognize and mitigate the risk of plugging the reservoir rock due to asphaltenes deposition with the end purpose of maximizing recovery while producing at the maximum field potential Data acquired during more than 30 years have been integrated and analyzed including 22 AOP measurements using gravimetric and solid detection system techniques, 17 PVT lab reports, 1 core- flooding study and 1 permeability/wettability study. Despite the wide range of AOP measured in different labs, it was possible to determine that the AOP for the Magwa-Marrat fluid is 5,600 ±500 psia and the saturation pressure is 3,200 ±200 psia. Results of this fluids review study indicates that it might be possible to deplete the reservoir pressure below the AOP while producing at high rates. Additional field testing and lab research have been proposed to 1) establish an adequate operating envelop for each well to optimize production and mitigate asphaltene deposition in the tubing to decrease downtime due to coiled tubing cleanouts which will reduce OPEX, 2) Support determination of a suitable reservoir pressure depletion to minimize CAPEX by implementing a pressure support project at an optimum reservoir pressure, and 3) Establish an appropriate field development strategy to produce the field at its maximum potential without jeopardizing the health of the reservoir while optimizing ultimate recovery