“Mariner – How new technology and collaboration are adding value in a low oil price environment”

Review by Jeb Tyrie Apec Ltd.

The PESGB and SPE Aberdeen sections held a sold out joint meeting on 24 February 2016 that emphasised the value of integrated work flows, high tech and efficient processes delivered by Young Professionals that are fully bought into the concepts presented.
Simone Silcock introduced Statoil, the relay team of speakers, the Mariner story so far, how it will progress over the coming years to first oil in 2018 and continue for 30 years recovering over 250 mmbbl. This is great news for the sector and hats off to Statoil for braving the down turn and maintaining their commitment that underlines their belief in the efficient processes they embrace.

Mariner is a very complex shallow Palaeocene heavy oil project that was discovered way back in 1981. It consists of Maureen turbidite sandstone and Heimdal shallow marine channels that are interconnected by remobilisation injectites on a large scale. 18 appraisal wells and 5 3D surveys later we have a plan and a process to deliver the field. The jacket has been launched, in full technicolour video, and pre-drilling is almost ready to commence ahead of topside hookup in 2017.

The mic was passed to Nick McArdle who got technical and described the various seismic surveys. The 2012 matched the low frequency data of the 2008 OBC survey but retained more of the high frequencies living up to its Broadband label. The lobe nature of the Heimdal injectile was revealed and geobodies mapped with increasing confidence down to 20ms with some success at differentiating between the 12 API oil and multiple water legs.
Adaeze Iheobi took over the torch to illuminate the reservoir engineering task of recovering the 500 cp Heimdal oil. The Fast Model Update procedure allowed automated work flows to be updated with feedback and set in an ensemble framework to capture uncertainty. The seismic mapping allowed a switch from the initial pattern flood to a geobody focussed development of strategically placed horizontal water injectors and producers. This resulted in a 20% reduction in Drillex but an increase in recovery and EOR promising more.

Jason Iyeke STEPped up to emphasise the standardisation approach of a LEAN outfit to drive home efficiency across the integrated processes. With over 50 wells and numerous complex sidetracks to execute anti-collision concentrated the minds of the well planners and an animation video demonstrated how the automated drilling and workover rigs worked simultaneously to bring the show to completion.

Simone wrapped up acknowledging previous work done and development partners JX Nippon and Dyas. She then invited questions from an engaged audience that the panel fielded. Dinner was served, glasses charged and the high energy chatter suggested that the SPE/PESGB/YP should do more of these joint events. Which brings us to DEVEX.