The Beryl Field area: increasing production in a mature asset

Abstract

AbstractThe Beryl Field is one of the largest oil fields in the UK Continental Shelf. Mobil commenced production in 1976 via the Beryl Alpha platform. Production peaked at approximately 200 000 BOE/day in 1993 before declining to around 50 000 BOE/day in 2012.Apache assumed operatorship in 2012 and, along with partners Shell, has arrested and reversed production decline on platform production through investment in 3D seismic data, drilling, workovers and improvements to operational efficiency. Redevelopment to date by the Beryl area partnership has focused on strategic wells across multiple play types and fields. These wells have realized an 88% success rate and have led to the delineation of additional, lower risk, drill locations. Drilling flexibility, a deep target inventory and effective partner relationships help to expedite the most valuable opportunities and maintain the drilling campaign.In the future, production growth is anticipated through cost-effective developments of new and existing near-field opportunities, including the recently discovered Callater Field with first oil planned in 2017.Three case studies will illustrate: the importance of structural compartmentalization in under-developed fields; the opportunities remaining in mature fields as a result of historical field management practices; and the value of near and new field opportunities for extending field life.