SPE 117950 Managing Mature Indian Offshore Fields - A Case History
SPE 117950 Managing Mature Indian Offshore Fields - A Case History
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Abstract
Mumbai High, Neelam and Heera fields, located in Western Offshore of India, are 20-30 years old and matured.
Multi disciplinary approach in utilizing modern technology in every step of a well from planning to execution has
been adopted in brown field development of these mature fields, Static and dynamic model building with state of
art technology has been undertaken to bring out the subsurface picture more vividly. Technology has helped in
drilling of ERD wells to far of places from existing platforms in complex subsurface architecture. Well placement
technology with online monitoring at base (Virtual Reality Center) has improved proper well steering though thin
sweet zones. In area of well completion also higher level multilateral technology has been adopted to monitor and
control individual reservoir performance.
Typically, redevelopment project implemented in Mumbai High during 2000-2007 will increase recovery by 4% from
28% by 2030. About 200 wells have been completed in last 5 years. Similar project is under implementation in
Heera field and envisages increase in recovery by 3.4%. In last 3 years about 91 wells in Neelam and Heera fields
have been completed with latest technology.
Introduction
The THREE main oil fields of Indian Western Offshore, Mumbai High, Heera and Neelam are 20-30 years old and
in matured stage. The water depth in Mumbai High is 70-80 m whereas for Heera and Neelam 50-60 m. Every field
has been unique and pose diverse challenges. The location map of the fields is shown in Fig. 1. The distinctive
character of each field is described below in brief:
Mumbai High is the giant offshore oilfield located about 160 km west-north-west of Mumbai city. The field is divided
into two major blocks - the North and South through the main hydrocarbon bearing sands L-III & L-II and free gas
through main sand of S1 layer lies in between L-II and L-III reservoirs. Fractured basement and Basal Clastics
reservoir have also contributed hydrocarbons unlike L-III reservoir, which is present throughout the field. L-II
reservoir is developed mainly in the Northern part of the field. Main pay zone L-III is a multi-layered, anisotropic
limestone reservoir with a gas cap and partial water drive. This L-III reservoir has 11 different sub-layers, which are
separated by shale streaks. The multilayered heterogeneous carbonate reservoir had a complex mixed drive
mechanism of depletion with expansion of gas cap.
2 SPE 117950
Heera field is the second largest field of Western Offshore located South East of Mumbai High and 70 km south
west of Mumbai city. The field also encompasses multi pay oil and gas horizons; with shallowest level of free gas
accumulation at about 700m depth. The main oil bearing horizon; Bassein carbonate varies a great deal in
thickness over the field and is pinching out towards shallowest part of the field. Other pay zones are Heera and
Mukta formation. The porosity and permeability of the reservoir diminish with depth and pose a challenge for
uniform drainage. The reservoir has no aquifer support and is under pressure maintenance by water injection.
Neelam field is located near Heera field and 45 km south west of Mumbai city. In Neelam field Bassein carbonate
is having a large thickness upto nearly 600 meters, but the oil bearing zone is restricted to upper 70 – 80m. The
reservoir has 3 isolated gas caps on 3 independent culminations. The top of the carbonate sequence is marked by
a regional unconformity resulting in numerous developments of vugs, solution channels and micro fractures in the
upper part. The petro physical properties of the reservoir rock diminish with depth, resulting in wide variation of
permeability in the field. The field is characterized by higher Kv/Kh ratio. The field is having partial aquifer support
and is supplemented by water injection from periphery.
Production performance
The production performances of the fields since inception are shown in Fig. 2a, 2b, 2c.
Mumbai High field - The oil production commenced in May 1976, attained a plateu of about 400,000 b/d in 1984 to
1989. After 1989, the field production declined to 220,000 b/d. Various field development schemes were launched
and production was restored to 300,000 b/d in 1995. Again decline set in and production reached 210,000 b/d level
in year 2000 due to matured stage of the field. After that redevelopment activities were implemented to arrest the
production decline.
Heera field - The oil production commenced in Nov. 1984, attained a peak of 88,000 b/d in 1996. The field
production declined to 50,000 b/d in Nov-99. By field development schemes, the production was maintained at a
level of 50,000 upto 2003. After 2003, field production is 44,000 b/d. Efforts are on to recomplete the existing wells
and infuse re-development activities to arrest production decline.
Neelam field - This field is relatively new. The oil production commenced in Jan-90, attained a peak of 85,000 b/d
during Jan.-95. The field production declined to 30,000 b/d in Jan-00 and is 24,000 b/d at present. The field has
more reservoir complexities.
Key challanges
As stated above, all the three fields are in the declining phase of production. The production decline is mainly due
to:
- Substantial amount of bypassed oil
- Increased water production due to water breakthrough
- Poor exploitation of Tight pays
- Poor cementation
The challenge was the field redevelopment integrating with the best available technologies in field re-assessment,
reservoir understading with identification of by-pass oil, drilling of productive wells and enhancement of surface
facilties.
Management of matured fields
In order to improve the performance/recovery of the fields in the most economic way, field redevelopment was
taken up after analyzing the field performance and evaluation of potential to produce the oil and gas specially from
the by-pass segments. Plans were made to best utilize the state-of-art drilling technology to intervene the existing
wells. A multifaceted approach was adopted to rope in advanced technology in developing reservoir models,
placing the well locations, drilling, drilling fluid and completion to produce best results. The details are given below -
Redevelopment activities
Mumbai High - The development history of Mumbai High is shown in Fig. 3. Reservoir studies indicated field was
moving for the ultimate recovery of 28% of initial oil in-place by 2030. A ‘redevelopment scheme’ was
conceptualized to re-investigate the potential of the field through rigorous analytical approach of field behavior.
Seismic data acquired during 1997 to 1999 was used to prepare new geological model. Improved recovery
simulation models for Mumbai High North and Mumbai High South were constructed. All available data was
reviewed and analyzed. This analysis brought out the strengths and weaknesses of the field. Multi-disciplinary
team (MDT) with “war room” philosophy developed the redevelopment schemes of North and South fields from
conceptual stage to detailed feasibility report.
SPE 117950 3
The redevelopment primarily targeted effective and large reservoir contacts for wells, improved well spacing with
additional process capacities and facilities for handling the increase in liquid production. The redevelopment of
Mumbai High North commenced in Oct 2000 and Mumbai High South in June 2001, with tenure of 5 to 6 years.
The redevelopment scheme has a targeted recovery of 32% by 2030. Simulation forecast envisaged incremental
oil gain of 24.8 MMT with additional gas production of 5.24 BCM by year 2030 from MH North and incremental
oil gain 35.95 MMT oil and additional gas production of 9.63 BCM from MH South by the year 2030. The
redevelopment schemes envisaged 213 new wells (140 in South and 73 in North), Two process platforms (one
each in North and South), 21 well platforms ( 4 in North and 17 in South), 326 KM of pipelines (245 Km in South
and 83 in North), 22 Clamp-on structures (15 in North and 7 in South) and related modification works. Both the
schemes are now completed successfully with drilling of all the wells and commissioning of surface facilities.
Through the mid-term evaluations and corrections, the quantum of inputs originally planned was reduced to
optimize the cost (well platforms, wells etc.)
Heera & Neelam fields - The development history of Heera field is shown in Fig. 4. Heera field was developed in
three phases during 1984-2002. Total 14 platforms with 161 wells were commissioned in the field for exploitation
of oil & gas from Mukta & Bassein pays. During 2002-03, under Additional Development Part-I one 12-slot
platform was commissioned in northern part of the field. Recently two more platforms comprising of 12 oil wells
and 3 gas wells have been commissioned in main part of field.
In 2006, with the aim to improve the recovery factor of the main reservoir i.e. Bassein, the Redevelopment plan
for the field was drawn. The plan envisages the two prong strategy of Brownfield development through existing
wells and Greenfield development through new wells. It envisages drilling of 33 new wells through commissioning
of 3-new platforms and undertaking rectifying measures in 56 underperforming wells. Water injection is planned to
be enhanced by drilling additional injectors, relocating some of the existing conventional injectors and converting
them into drainholes. The expected oil and gas production by 2029-2030 from the field with above inputs works
out to be 81.107 MMt and 20.063 BCM respectively. The incremental oil & gas production is estimated to be
10.685 MMt and 2.265 BCM. The overall recovery from Heera field is estimated to be 28.9 %. The oil recovery
from the main pay Bassein is estimated to be 31.9 %. The project is scheduled to be commissioned in early 2009.
Preparation of redevelopment plan for Neelam is in progress.
Key inputs
Following are some of the key inputs considered during the redevelopment and work-over campiagns which
contributed to the successful management of field performance.
Improved reservoir modeling – The reservoir model reconstruction was the first challenge. Improved reservoir
description was achieved through integration of available geo-scientific data. To have better control of inter well
variations, 3D seismic data was acquired, processed and the Post-stack time migrated data was interpreted.
Petro-physical reprocessing including electro-facies analysis was carried out. The seismic interpretation was
integrated with electro log and core data and the team of geo-scientists made a fairly detailed geological model
incorporating the complex reservoir features of sub-layered structure, major faults, heterogeneity and fluid
distribution. This model was used for reservoir simulation and redevelopment planning. Continuous up-gradation
of the model was done with drilling data and with production behavior. Some of the faults considered insignificant
during initial model building have become prominent and the 3D seismic generated fault framework was re-
scrutinized and reinterpreted. This approach helped to improve the understanding of the structural framework and
led to necessary precautions in fine-tuning the placement of wells.
Well placement - The placement of infill wells to target the by passed oil through development wells and side-
tracks, were done through ‘concurrent modeling’ approach. Virtual reality centre was established for the
visualization of sub-surface features in an immerse environment in real-time operation mode for better
understanding of reservoir complexities by integrating the seismic and well data. This facility was used to improve
the well placement. Well placement with Logging While drilling (LWD) technology has been used in critical wells,
where the development of reservoir facies is poor and in thin reservoir beds. Some of the wells have been
completed successfully by online monitoring of drilling data at base and superimposing it on seismic.
Rehabilitation of sub-optimal wells/well interventions - Conventional methods of workover for water shut off or gas
shut-off were slowly discontinued. A series of changes were inducted in the old well management. Efforts were
made to mitigate the decline in oil through suitable well intervention. The low performing wells were put back on
production through side-tracking/ relocation. Side tracking was achieved through window cutting/section milling
and using whipstock. Besides normal side-track, long drift side-tracks (LDST) were achieved through milling the 7”
liner section to drill a horizontal drainhole. In some cases 9 5/8” & 13 3/8” casings are retrieved to facilitate drilling
4 SPE 117950
of new well from old slot. In order to save drilling time, medium radius drainholes (MRDH) was used to place a
drainhole in the better zone of the well. In order to avoid interference of overlying zones, short radius drainholes
(SRDH) drilling which requires lesser vertical clearance than MRDH, were drilled.
LWD geo-steering - The well trajectory and LWD information are monitored in real time mode for better interface,
faster decision and real time course correction for cost effective drilling. To improve the reservoir understanding
during drilling itself, the modular dynamic tester (MDT) tool was used in number of wells. In multi-layered reservoir
configuration with multi-phase flow the understanding of current fluid saturations is important for evaluation of
potential of each zone. Cased hole formation resistivity measurement (CHFR) have been carried out to identify
the prevailing fluid saturation for re-completion of high water-cut wells and reduction of management of under
performing wells in the promising zone.
Future actions
The gains of redevelopment activities is to be suitained through continuous efforts to induct new technologies
which can add value to the field evaluation, monitoring, drilling, logging, well completion and total integration and
management. Some of the initiatives to manage the matured field performance in future are:
- 4C-4D API: Initiatives have been taken to evaluate the reservoir fluid movements through 4C-4D survey of the
Mumbai High field. This will bring out the clearer picture of the reservoir fluid movement, imaging in gas cap
area, Available seismic data unable to resolve and characterize thin layers. Requirement of additional
converted shear wave information for full scale fracture characterization. Pilot for 4C-4D planned to assess the
potential of the Four-Component (4C) seismic technology, with the latest MEMS/ Fiber-optic accelerometer
sensors planned
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) pilot to target residual hydrocarbons for increasing recovery: SWAG (simultaneous
water and gas injection) pilot to take off in Mumbai High to identify appropriate EOR process.
- Fracture characterization and modeling through gradient: The mapping of flow (permeability) barriers, fault
differentiation (sealing v/s. conducting) within different sub-layers of L-III reservoir in the Mumbai High field will
be in focus. This will enhance the effective water injection and identify bypassed oil pools. The softwares (JIP
with M/s ROXAR, Norway, for placement of well in by-pass oil area) which can process production data,
generate geological information about reservoir drainage, filtration variation, technological assessment of
applied field development method will be inducted.
- Integrated Asset Model: The implementation of Integrated Asset Model (IAM) and Integration Production Model
(IPM) is a new approach for production enhancement which will provide the philosophy of systematic
exploitation of the field with the optimization of surface facility and de-bottlenecking the sub-optimal surface
input through IAM Model. Further, on operations front, smart instrumentation, through tubing well interventions
such as surge plug are the technologies being pursued for improving the production performance.
- Inflow Conformance Device: The effectiveness of horizontal well length vis-à-vis well productivity has been a
matter of discussion. It is not known that how effective is the drawdown towards the toe of the well and what
percentage of the drain hole is actually contributing to the production. Secondly, in Neelam field, the top part of
the reservoir is affected by vugs and solution channels. The northern part of the field is affected by near
vertical fractures. These characteristics adversely affect the well life and productivity by early flow of gas cap
gas and water. The new technology of ICD’s, ICV’s and segmented completion has come a long way in
addressing above issues. Installation of fixed choke ICD’s (Equalizer) has been planned in 4 wells of Neelam
field. The typical segmented completion for layer control is shown in Fig. 5. A detail analysis of LWD logs to
detect fracture / high permeable zones and pressure profile along the drain hole is required to suitably place
the equipment. The completion is expected to give uniform desired (variable) drawdown at different places of
drain hole. It will subside water and gas production and improve production from low permeable layers.
- Massive Hydro-fracturing: Hydrofacturing or acid fracturing will develop as a stimulation technique to drain the
oil from the tight reservoir areas of Mumbai High. Initiatives have been taken to utilize the world major service
companies for the massive hydro-fracturing for the tighter part of the reservoir.
- Eletcrical submersible pump (ESP): ESP pilot project was undertaken on 6 wells located on well-cum-process
platforms in Mumbai High. Based on the positive outcome, installation of ESP has been planned at 81 wells
spread over 26 well platforms of Mumbai High. This includes creation of the electrical facilities at remote well
platforms using 100 km submarine Power & Fiber Optic composite cables.
- Re-modeling of Mumbai High Reservoir: Fine scale more accurate modeling by seismic to simulation study is in
progress in Mumbai High.
- Under Balance Drilling (UBD): Under balance drilling has been deployed at number of fields worldwide to tackle
various reservoir issues. The technology has wide range of applicability depending on field scenario. However,
the technology is yet to be adopted in Indian oil & gas fields. From the application point of view, we are looking
into two areas of benefits of UBD.
Minimizing formation damage – increased production and recovery
SPE 117950 5
- Intelligent wells and smart platforms: For monitoring, testing and online optimization of the wells of unmanned
platforms and managing large net work wells and facilities, smart well platforms are being planned. This will
reduce operator intervention in well platform operations. So far, 3 Nos. of smart well platforms i.e. 1 in Mumbai
High and 2 in Heera field have been installed.
- Produced water handling: plans are in vogue for processing capacity enhancement, application of swellable
elastomer to reduce water inflow whilst increasing oil production from high water-cut wells.
Results
- The redevelopment campaign resulted in oil and gas production gains of significant nature resulting in
turnaround of production. The performance of Mumbai High before and after redevelopment is shown in Fig.
7. The redevelopment activities have been successfully completed in December 2006 for Mumbai High North
and in May, 2007 for Mumbai High South. The redevelopment campaign have reversed declining trend of
production by increasing it from 210,000 b/d in year 2000 to 250,000 b/d at present.
- In the last 3 years a total of 91 wells in the fields of Neelam Heera Asset have been completed using the new
drilling technology in line with Mumbai High redevelopment. The wells have cumulatively produced about
1.696 MMt of oil after re-completion, mostly as horizontal drain holes.
- The Redevelopment of Heera field is scheduled to be commissioned in early 2009. There is substantial oil
gain from exiting wells which have been worked over under this project.
Conclusions
- The multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach is the key to successful management of the matured fields.
- Redevelopment project implemented in Mumbai High during 2000-2007 will increase recovery by 4% from
28% by 2030. About 200 wells have been completed in last 5 years. Similar project is under implementation in
Heera field and envisages increase in recovery by 3.4%. In last 3 years about 91 wells in Neelam and Heera
fields have been re-completed with latest technology.
- The redevelopment in Mumbai High was highly rewarding. The field has responded to the inputs. The
successful planning from renewed field understanding, identification of strength and weakness of the field,
well design to track bypassed oil and effective introduction of technologies etc. contributed immensely to the
first redevelopment of Mumbai High. Based on the lessons learnt and confidence gained from the first
redevelopment, the second redevelopment campaign is ready for implementation, which is targeting a
cumulative recovery of 35%.
- The Heera field is also undergoing first phase of redevelopment targeting significant gains in field oil recovery
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all ONGCians associated with the management of these offshore fields. Views
expressed in this paper are solely of authors and do not necessarily represent the views of ONGC/management.
Bibliography
1. Mitra, N.K. and Singh Y.K.: “Increased oil recovery from Mumbai High through ESP Compaign”, paper OTC
18748 PP presented at the 2007 Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, U.S.A., 30 April–3
May 2007.
2. Mitra, N.K.: “Re-engineering of Mumbai High Field”, paper SPE 103763 PP presented at SPE/IADC Indian
Drilling Technology Conference & Exhibition, held at Mumbai, India 16-18 October 2006.
3. Mitra, N.K., Dileep P.K. and Kumar Adesh: “Revival of Mumbai High North – A case study”, paper SPE
113699 presented at the 2008 Indian Oil and Gas Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Mumbai, India,
4–6 March 2008
4. Kumar Adesh and Gupta V.P.: “Innovative planning and monitoring improves production from an Indian
offshore field”, paper SPE 80488 presented at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition held
at Jakarta, Indonesia, 15-17 April 2003.
5. Bhattacharya, S., Sood P.K., et al.: “Arresting production decline of a mature offshore field using horizontal
sidetracks”, paper 2007-068 presented at the 8th Canadian International Petroleum Conference held at Calgary,
Canada, 12-14 June 2007.
6 SPE 117950
Nomenclature
b/d = Barrels of oil per day
BCM = Billion Cubic Meter
MMT = Million Metric Tonne
800000 400
Oil, bopd Liq, blpd CumOIl (MMt)
700000 350
600000 300
500000 250
C um O il, M M t
BPD
400000 200
300000 150
200000 100
100000 50
0 0
M a r-7 6
M a r-7 8
M a r-8 0
M a r-8 2
M a r-8 4
M a r-8 6
M a r-8 8
M a r-9 0
M a r-9 2
M a r-9 4
M a r-9 6
M a r-9 8
M a r-0 0
M a r-0 2
M a r-0 4
M a r-0 6
M a r-0 8
Fig.2a: Production Performance of Mumbai High Field
150000 50 125000 50
120000 40 100000 40
Q l, Q o , b p d
Q l, Q o , b p d
NP, M M t
NP, M M t
90000 30 75000 30
60000 20 50000 20
30000 10 25000 10
0 0 0 0
N o v -8 4
N o v -8 5
N o v -8 6
N o v -8 7
N o v -8 8
N o v -8 9
N o v -9 0
N o v -9 1
N o v -9 2
N o v -9 3
N o v -9 4
N o v -9 5
N o v -9 6
N o v -9 7
N o v -9 8
N o v -9 9
N o v -0 0
N o v -0 1
N o v -0 2
N o v -0 3
N o v -0 4
N o v -0 5
N o v -0 6
N o v -0 7
J a n -9 0
J a n -9 1
J a n -9 2
J a n -9 3
J a n -9 4
J a n -9 5
J a n -9 6
J a n -9 7
J a n -9 8
J a n -9 9
J a n -0 0
J a n -0 1
J a n -0 2
J a n -0 3
J a n -0 4
J a n -0 5
J a n -0 6
J a n -0 7
J a n -0 8
Fig. 2b: Field performance of Neelam Field Fig. 2c: Field performance of Heera Field
25
2nd Phase Development 450000
Water injection, gas lift
1985-1992 400000 20.00
Addl A1 in MHN
EORP-MHS &
Initial
Gas Lift
CRMP-I & II
Development
MHN L-II
PPM Proj,
MH Ph-IVB
20 350000
1975-1987 MH North Phase-I &
MH South Phase-I
% OIIP Recovered
1992-2001
Planned Capex
MH Ph-IVA
15 250000
2000-2007
MH Ph-IIIB
150000
10
Total Capex Incremental Oil 100000 5.00
1975-2000
Rs. 12835 Crores 50000
5
Discovery 0 0.00
Actuals Projections
Mar-76
Mar-80
Mar-84
Mar-88
Mar-92
Mar-96
Mar-00
Mar-04
Mar-08
3/74
Production Start
5/76
0
1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
4.0 Phase-III
Addl Dev-II
O il, M M T P A
3.0
Phase-I Phase-II
2.0
1.0
0.0
1984-85
1987-88
1990-91
1993-94
1996-97
1999-00
2002-03
2005-06
2008-09
2011-12
2014-15
2017-18
2020-21
2023-24
2026-27
2029-30
Fig. 4: The development history of Heera field Fig. 5: Segmented completion for layer control
500000 50.0
450000
400000 40.0
350000
300000 30.0
BOP D
RF, %
250000
200000 20.0
150000
100000 10.0
50000
0 0.0
M a r-76
M a r-79
M a r-82
M a r-85
M a r-88
M a r-91
M a r-94
M a r-97
M a r-00
M a r-03
M a r-06
M a r-09
M a r-12
M a r-15
M a r-18
M a r-21
M a r-24
M a r-27
M a r-30
M a r-33
M a r-36
M a r-39
History PH-I PH-II PH-III PH-IV RF,%
Fig. 6: Benfits of UBD Fig.7: Road map for 40% recovery from Mumbai High