Dowhnhole Oil Water Separation

Downhole separation of water from the well stream has the potential to significantly increase hydrocarbon production rate and reserves. Based on flow simulation the oil reserves may increase by 0.1 to 0.5 MSm3 during a 4 years period as shown in Figure 1. (See attached document for more details). By re-injecting the separated water downhole in the well without producing it to surface the environmental problems are also reduced. The economic benefit of downhole water removal has been quantified for water s eparation rates ranging from 500 to 2000 m3/day. With the conservative view, i.e. assuming no increase in oil recovery, only accelerated oil production, a significant NPV improvement of 50 to 230 mill NOK is obtained On field scale the economic potential could constitute several billion NOK. Shore-Tec Consult AS filed a patent 12.12.2005 for downhole separation of water from the well stream and subsequent re-injection of the water into a sub-terrain formation. The unique feature of this patent is the us e of gas, pumped from surface or taken from another downhole layer, and used alternating for separation and injection of water. By controlling the pressure of a gas column in the wellbore it is used both for separation and injection of water without produ cing the water to surface. In this project the separation process is achieved with membrane material being ceramic membranes. Based on preliminary calculations the water separation rate using ceramic membranes may range from 200 to 2000 Sm3/d. Scope i s to develop a conceptual design solution and identify risks for various solutions in close cooperation with customers, vendors, research institutions and universities. Customers are oil companies of which Hydro and Statoil has been contacted. A link into Hydro?s Research centre in Porsgrunn is established. Hydro?s support is not expected to bee confirmed before mid April. Potential vendors identified so far are Keranor AS, Peak AS, and Aarbakke AS.