IPSM Plays Key Role in Maximising Oil Production and Minimising Gas Flare in the Re-opening of A Swamp Field in Niger Delta

Abstract

Abstract FEDA field is a medium-sized, step faulted anticline located in the coastal swamp area of the Niger Delta. The field is located about 70km south-west of Port Harcourt, Nigeria and has produced approximately 126MMstb of oil and 127Bscf of associated gas. The field has been developed with 9 wells (18 strings) with one well abandoned. Production from the wells is maintained by natural flow supported by a strong aquifer drive. The field was shut down for about 5years between 2008 and 2013 due to integrity issues with the trunk line. As at 2008 before the field was shut down, it produced 4.8Mbopd from 3 wells (5 strings). In 2010, a new trunk-line was commissioned which led to the re-opening of all the fields in the Swamp area including FEDA. However, there were various challenges that needed to be addressed before the flow station could be re-opened. One of such issues was the availability of gas to run the Low-Pressure, (LP) compressor, given its turn-down volume and due to restriction placed by the new flares-down policy being championed by SPDC. In order to solve this problem, an Integration Production System Model (IPSM) was constructed. The model was calibrated ensuring accurate split between low pressure and high pressure gas streams which is not often considered in conventional IPSM analysis. The second issue was to consider the best scenario that would lead to optimum net oil production with the least volume of flared gas during compressor downtime in order to minimize production deferment. The key outcome of the project is that accurate calibration of IPSM model can unlock asset deliverables and guide operations towards optimum oil production. This paper presents the results of an innovative use of the PETEX IPM to determine the accurate volume of low-pressure gas for re-start of an oil flow station in Niger Delta. The objective was to ensure that produced gas was not flared and that the volume of associated gas would be sufficient to operate the compression facility efficiently.