WRFM Excellence in Fahud, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

Abstract The paper describes the best practices and the excellence of Well-Reservoir-Facility Management (WRFM) of one of the Oil Assets located in the North Salt Basin in Sultanate of Oman. The asset consists of 3 main oil fields. These fields have highly multi layered fractured carbonate reservoirs and have been mainly producing under Gas-Oil-Gravity-Drainage (GOGD) recovery process over the last 5 decades. The surface facilities consist of 6 gathering & processing stations, 23 High pressure gas compressors and 12 low pressure gas blowers. Besides the complex reservoirs, there are other two main challenges; first is the aging wells and facilities and the second one is the facilities gas and water handling constraints. An integrated Well-Reservoir-Facility Management (WRFM) Framework was developed to maximize Lifecyle value and meet or exceed production, reserves, and cost targets despite the pertaining challenges. The framework outlines WRFM strategy, operational philosophy, Gap-to-Potential (GtP) plan, key uncertainties coupled with surveillance plan, key risks coupled with new technologies plan, budget planning and control, resources & capabilities, workflows & decisions. All of these were managed using the Continuous Improvement Fundamentals (CIF). The WRFM practices and approach followed in the Asset under study has resulted in remarkable achievements in different fronts. Well integrity compliance is maintained above target. Well production optimization gain reached 4% of base production and plan in place to reach of 12% in the next few years which is above industry TQ of 10%. The optimisation jobs are very attractive at average UTC of 3$/bbl. The operating cost per well is the cheapest across the North Assets. The unscheduled oil deferment reached less than TQ of 2% of IPSC. The gas compressors availability reached 95% exceeding target of 92%. The flare has been reduced by more than 30%. The case study describes a novel approach on how to manage a complex brown field with ageing wells and constrained facilities.