conference paper · SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition
Oil mining licence Y is a land-based asset in the eastern Niger Delta containing four fields that have suffered severe production drops since starting operations in the 1970s. These declines stem from high sediment and water cuts, excessive gas-oil ratios, sand production, wax and asphaltene deposits, and deteriorating infrastructure. A holistic assessment and optimisation strategy addresses these mature brownfield challenges to restore sustainable hydrocarbon flow. The methodology evaluates wellbore conditions in flowing and shut-in wells, analyses reservoir drive mechanisms, defines hydrocarbon contacts, and quantifies residual reserves alongside seismic data reprocessing. Targeted engineering interventions, including water shut-off treatments and zone changes, aim to lower water cut and reopen shut-in production intervals. By mitigating operational issues and implementing structured reservoir management, the approach seeks to enhance overall hydrocarbon recovery, expand booked reserves, and ensure long-term commercial viability.
Mature oil fields often face steep production declines that threaten their economic operation before all hydrocarbons are exhausted. Systematically diagnosing reservoir conditions, wellbore integrity, and surface bottlenecks offers a structured way to arrest these declines. Revitalising such brownfields allows operating companies to extract remaining reserves, extend asset lifespans, and delay costly decommissioning while maximising returns from existing infrastructure.
This framework provides an operational blueprint for petroleum operators and asset managers managing declining brownfield assets, particularly in mature basins like the Niger Delta. The methods rely on established petroleum engineering interventions, such as seismic reprocessing, water shut-off, and perforation zone changes. Because the abstract presents a proposed assessment and optimisation plan rather than reported post-implementation field results, the workflow represents an applied engineering strategy ready for field execution.
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Abstract Oil mining license (OML) Y, a land-based asset located in the eastern depo-belt of the Niger Delta and operated by Z Producing Limited, comprises four hydrocarbon fields: A, B, C, and D. While three of these fields have been developed, production challenges have categorized them as brown fields, except for D which began production in the 2000s. Since its inception in the 1970s, the block has experienced a significant decline in hydrocarbon output due to high Basic Sediment and Water (BSW), elevated Gas-Oil Ratio (GOR), sand production, wax and asphaltene deposition, and aging production facilities. This study proposes a holistic assessment and optimisation approach to address these challenges and restore sustainable production. Key activities include evaluating wellbore conditions for both flowing and shut-in wells, analysing production performance, defining hydrocarbon contacts, assessing pressure profiles and reservoir drive mechanisms, and identifying flushed and residual reserves. The study will also involve seismic data acquisition or reprocessing, mitigation of operational non-conformities, and the development of efficient reservoir management plans. Proposed interventions, such as water shut-off (WSO) and zone changes, aim to reduce water cut and re-engage shut-in intervals, enhancing productivity. The outcomes of this initiative are expected to increase hydrocarbon recovery, improve reserves booking, and sustain the economic viability of OML Y. This work provides a blueprint for revitalising mature fields and optimising production from declining assets
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DOI: 10.2118/235068-ms
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