The Concept of the Sustainable Oil Field Development Applied to Heavy and Extra Heavy Oil Fields

Abstract

Abstract The Concept of the Sustainable Oil and Gas Field involves a Preventive Approach and the use of New Technologies, Innovations and Best Practices to avoid or reduce the risks of occurrence of environmental incidents and accidents achieved in a cost effective manner. This novel approach focuses on the root causes of the current gaps proposing a practical solution demonstrated on real example cases. Further it contributes to bridge the gap between non Oil and Gas Professionals evaluating the potential impact on the Environment of the core business processes related to the Exploration, Development and Field Abandonment of Oil and Gas fields. In the present Paper a method is described that supports a sustainable development and operation of Oil and Gas Fields. Further the most common reasons for the current dysfunctional procedures are analyzed as well as practical examples of the proposed approach are shown on executed projects in four continents. The proposed method builds on a preventive approach that starts with the focus of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the activities foreseen for the early project phase, as it is at this stage where the entire project can more effectively be influenced. Further the Use of fit for purpose Innovations, Technologies and Best Practices that strive to remove the risk before it happens, supports a preventive approach. The involved technologies deliver the same outcome than traditional means in a more efficient way. The mindset that the use of those Technologies comes at a higher price is challenged by the latest developments showing that those enable both an environmental friendly workflow and economical advantages to the E & P Companies. Further the above Technologies can be applied at any stage of the field life, be it at the early field development, the operational plateau or later on at the decline and abandonment phase. Several specific examples from executed Oil and Gas Projects following key elements of the presented Concept of the Sustainable Oil and Gas Field carried out in four continents are provided, showing that operating Oil and Gas fields with Zero Gas Flare, Zero Oil Spill, small footprint, no process effluents to the environment and energy efficiency can be reflected in low oil/gas unit production costs, technical and operational excellence as well as full environmental compliance. In the present paper a preventive approach to avoid and reduce environmental incidents and accidents by means of an Environmental Impact Assessment that focuses on the early project phases and the aid of fit for purpose Technical Innovations, Technologies and Best Practices is presented. This supports the goal of achieving a more Sustainable Oil and Gas Field to safely achieve production peak and increase recoverable Reserves.