Arcanjo Wacunzo - 3021399 Phase 1 Project

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[Phase 1] Technical Report: The Gullfaks Oil and Gas Field Final Year Project
Module title: SCE-3-000 Petroleum Engineering Design Project LSBU

Technical Report · December 2014


DOI: 10.13140/2.1.2087.0721

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[Phase 1]
Technical Report: The Gullfaks Oil and Gas Field
Final Year Project
Module title: SCE-3-000 Petroleum Engineering Design Project
Project Group Number: [8]
Course: [BEng (Hons) Petroleum Engineering]
Prepared by: [Mr. Arcanjo Malo Wacunzo]
Student Number: [3021399]
Prepared To: [Dr. El Waleed Abusham]

[5th November 2014]


London South Bank University
Department of Urban Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Science and the Built Environment
103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA
www.lsbu.ac.uk
[GULLFAKS OIL AND GAS FIELD] November 5th , 2014

BENG(HONS) - PETROLEUM ENGINERRING

Design Project: Gullfaks Field

Arcanjo Wacunzo – ID 3021399

London South Bank University


2014/2015

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[GULLFAKS OIL AND GAS FIELD] November 5th , 2014

Abstract

This work was undertaken under the request of Dr.Abusham following the final year
phase 1 project which is a research on the north sea field called The Gullfaks oil and
gas field. The work will demonstrate the technical challenges and the geological
information of the field specially the faults and structural formations of the field.
The Gulfaks oil and gas field, currently owned and operated by the Statoil, was
discovered in 1978 in block 34/10 at water depth of 130 – 230 metres. The field
production was initially estimated to have 2.1 billion of barrels recoverable reserve. The
field has reached its highest production in 2001 having registered of 180 thousand
barrels per day. However it is currently producing approximately 40,000 barrels of oil
per day. Although it has been previously discovery productions started only in 1986.
Our study set out to analyse the technical challenges of the Gulfaks and also to discuss
the economic factor on this field based on the information obtained during research and
the assumptions. Firstly, research was undertaken to study the geological structures of
the field which was focused on the lithology, stratigraphy, rock formation, Sedimentary
Depositional Environments of the Field, Geological uncertainties and finally a study on
the processing facilities of the oil and gas field.
Today the field is capable of producing up to 70,000 stb/d from the three platforms. The
reservoir sands are Cook Formation, Statfjord Formation and Brent Group from shallow
to fluvial sediments, from early to middle Jurassic age. In order to maintain the
pressure above the bubble point it has been used water injection as the main drive
mechanism.
The field has faced a water-breakthrough resulted in sand production led by complex
geology in addition to field performance. Nevertheless, in order to compensate the loss
of production Tarbert and Statfjord sands was accelerated.

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II. Contents
I. Abstract ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
II. List of Contents ----------------------------------------------------------------------------3
III. List of Figures and tables --------------------------------------------------------------------4
Chapter I. Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
2.1 Background ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
2.2 Objectives ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
2.3 Executive Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
Chapter II Location and Gullfaks Field Description ------------------------------------------7
1.2 Description and history of the field ---------------------------------------------------------------7
Chapter III Geology of the field ---------------------------------------------------------------------8
3.1 Stratigraphy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
3.1 Lithology -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
3.2 Sedimentary depositional Environment --------------------------------------------------------9
3.3 Geological Modelling: Subsurface 3D and 4D Maps --------------------------------------10
3.4 – The Brant Group and Formations ------------------------------------------------------------11
Chapter IV Petroleum Geology -------------------------------------------------------------------12
4.1 Trap, Seal and Timing ----------------------------------------------------------------------------12
4.2 Source Rock -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
4.3 Cap Rock ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
4.4 Facies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
4.5 Reservoir Properties -------------------------------------------------------------------------------13
4.6 Migration and Maturation -------------------------------------------------------------------------13
Chapter V Technical Challenges and Geological Uncertainties: Faults -------------14
Chapter VI Facilities, Production and General Description of the oil Field---------15
6.1 Drive Mechanism -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
6.2 Transport ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
6.3 Economics of the Field ---------------------------------------------------------------------------17
Chapter VII Methodology, Discussion and Results ----------------------------------------17
Chapter VIII Conclusions and Recommendations ------------------------------------------18
8.1 Conclusions -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18
8.2 Recommendations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------18
References -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19

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III. List of Figures and Tables

 Figures
1 – Figure 1: Image of map showing the location Gullfaks in the Norwegan region.
Pag.6

2 - Figure 2: Image showing the Gullfaks and the 3 platforms. (Pag. 7)

3 – Figure 3: Image showing the stratratigrafy, lithology and reservoir description based
on the age of rock. (Pag. 8)

4 – Figure 4: Alluvial environment. (Pag. 9)

5 – Figure 5: Marine Environment. (Pag. 9)

6 – Figure 6: Delta Environment. (Pag. 9)

7 – Figure 7: High 4D seismic response denotes clean sand and can be correlated to
low clay content. Whereas drilling, this update proved to have increased the amount of
clean sand in the well by more than 100 meters. Illustration by StatoilHydro (Pag. 10)

8 – Figure 8: Siesmic survey in Gullfaks field 1985 and 1999. (Pag. 10)

9 – Figure 9: Image showing the structural compartments of the formation and the
faults. (Pag. 13)

10 – Figure 10: A picture taken with canon camera in 2009 of a sample of oil produced
in the Gullfaks. (Pag. 15)

 Tables

1 – Table 1: Reservoir properties, permeability, porosity, water saturation from


the 3 formations and in all zones. (Pag. 12)

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Chapter I – Introduction
1.1 - Background
This paper analyses the geological structures of the Norwegian field Gullfaks
located in the North Sea provides information on the facilities, historical and
technical challenges.
The objective of this project is to study the technical challenges that are being face
on this mature field and to analyse how the recovery factor can be increase
significantly or to economically continue production.
“The Middle Jurassic Brent Group sediments and their correlation the Norwegian
shelf are, in economic terms, the most important hydrocarbon reservoir in NW
Europe” (A. C., HASZELDIN 1992, p.1). The Gullfaks oil and gas Field, located in the
Norwegian Sector of the North Sea is the first licence ever run by a fully Norwegian
joint venture corporation. The licence group consists of Statoil (operator), Norsk
Hydro and Saga Petroleum. These are the Cook Formation, Statfjord Formation
and Brent Group.
This is a mature filed aged 36 and has been produced for many years although the
production is still on this field has faced several incidents. The Gullfaks A platform
began production on the 22nd December 1986, with Gullfaks B afterwards on 29th
February 1988 and the C platform on 4 November 1989. Three satellite fields –
Gullfaks South, Rimfaks, Skinfaks and Gullveig – have been developed with
subsea wells remotely controlled from the Gullfaks A and C platforms.
The recovery factor on Gullfaks is 59 per cent, but the goal is to increase into 62
per cent. Measures to increase recovery require horizontal and extended-reach
wells, new completion and sand control technology, and water alternating gas
injection. The Gullfaks was called the golden block when was discovered.
The goal of this project is to study the technical challenges that are being face on
this mature field and to analyse how the recovery factor can be increase
significantly or to economically continue production.

1.2 - Objectives
This work has been taken with the objectives of write a clear report on the Gullfaks
oil and gas field with a complete description of the geological information,
production facilities and historical data of the field. Moreover, the main objective to
investigate the technical challenges which are been faced in the field and in a
group work suggest a reasonable method or idea which will overcome those
challenges and lead the recovery factor to a significant increase. Furthermore,
taking into consideration the fact that reservoirs must be economics in order to
benefit from investments it is also an aim to study the economics of the field.

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Executive Summary

Gullfaks is an oil field located in the Tampen area in the northern part of the North
Sea. The field was developed with three integrated processing, drilling and
housing facilities with concrete bases and steel topsides. Gullfaks B has a basic
processing plant with just first stage separation. While A and C receive and
process oil and gas from Gullfaks Sør and Gimle. The facilities are involved in
production and transport from the Tordis, Vigdis and Visund fields.
The Gullfaks reservoirs comply of Middle Jurassic sand-stones of the Brent Group,
and Lower Jurassic and Upper Triassic sandstones of the Cook, Statfjord and
Lunde Formations. The reservoirs lie 1 700 – 2 000 metres beneath the sea level.
The goal of this project is to study the technical challenges that are being face on
this mature field and to analyse how the recovery factor can be increase
significantly or to economically continue production.
The drive mechanisms which are being used are water injection and gas injection.
The drive mechanism varies between the drainage areas in the field, but water
injection constitutes the main strategy.
Production from Gullfaks is in tail production phase. A project has been initiated to
evaluate necessary upgrades for the drilling facilities at Gullfaks A, B and C. Due
to challenges with water injection wells and pressure build up in the Shetland
Formation located above the Gullfaks reservoirs.
“Following advances in drilling technology highly deviated/horizontal wells improve
recovery and accelerate field development by combining production from several
reservoirs in one single well A test programme for surfactant and WAG flooding
has been implemented on the field. Other EOR methods, such as gel and polymer
flooding, are currently being investigated for potential use.” (Svein Tollefsen 1992,
p.2)

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Chapter II - Location and Gullfaks Field Description


The Gullfaks field is located in Europe specifically in the North Sea area, roughly
109 miles (175 kilometres) from Bergen, Norway as it is shown in figure 1. As it is
know this region of the North sea has a significant number of other fields the
Gullfaks is particularly surrounded by fields the Statfjord, Snorre and.

.
Figure 1: Image of map showing the location Gullfaks in the Norwegan region. (Ref. Statoil
Wesbite)

Figure 2: Image showing the Gullfaks and the 3 platforms.(Ref,Picture taken from Statoil
website)

II.I Description and history of the field


By and large, the field lies in block 34/10 in the North Sea Covering an area of 75
squared kilometers and it has been developed with three large production
platforms (figure 2). The first platform denominated A which has started production
3 days before the christmas in 1986, afterwords platform B in 1988 and finally on
the 4th November 1989 platform C started operating.
The oil which is produced is loaded into shuttle tankers whereas the associated
gas goes into the treatment plant north Stavanger then to Europe. The A platform
is used also for storing and exporting stabilised crude from the Vigdis and Visund
fields. Oil and gas from Gullfaks B is transferred to the A and C platforms for
processing, storage and export.

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Chapter III – Geology of the Field


3.1- Lithology, Stratigrafy and Reservoir Rock
The reservoir of the field is from Middle Jurassic Brent Group and the reservoir
rock consists of delta sandstones which produce an oil of very good quality.
Moreover, the fluvial-channel and delta-plain are Lower Jurassic Statfjord
Formation (figure 3).
The field has a complex structural geology with a large amount of structural data. A
curious fact of this field is that it is divided into 4 reservoir formations and these
formations also have different reservoir properties. This fact will generate different
recovery factor for each formation. The different reservoir quality between the
formations is due to different depositional environments.
Concerning the fact that itis located in the Tampen Spur area in the Northern North
Sea Area it is relevant to refer that the field formation has a faulted Late Triassic-
Jurassic reservoir section.

Figure 3: Image showing the stratratigrafy, lithology and reservoir description


based on the age of rock.

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The Brent Group – (Middle Jurassic) forms the upper and the main part of the
reservoirs (Middle Jurassic). It is divided into two groups: The lower group (Broom,
Rannoch and Etive ) and the Upper Group (Ness and Tarbert). The Staftjord
formation (Upper Jurassic). The Cook formation (Early Jurassic).
The Brent Group consists of shaly Ness formation and intervals of sandstones.
The Staftjord formation consists of sandstones. The Cook formation is originated
from a marine clay/siltstones, not a reservoir in cook 1, bioturbated muddy
sandstones in Cook 2 and inter-bedded sand and shale in Cook 3.
The Cook formation is originated from a marine clay/siltstones, not a reservoir in
cook 1, bioturbated muddy sandstones in Cook 2 and inter-bedded sand and shale
in Cook 3.
3.2 – Sedimentary Depositional Environment
The Brent Group depositional environment is Delta System. The Staftjord
formation is originated from Fluvial-Alluvial depositional environment. The Cook
formation depositional enviroemntal is major marine shale. Showing on Figure 4, 5
and 6 how are these types of environment.

Figure 4: Aluvial environment.

Figure 5: Marine environment.

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Figure 6: Delta Environment.

3.3 – Geological Modelling: Subsurface 3D and 4D Maps


Seismic reservoir monitoring is usually done by comparing the results of 3D
seismic reflection surveys re-run several years apart over the same area. The
technique is known as 4D or time-lapse seismic. On the Gullfaks field, time lapse
was very usefull in management of tail end production4 D seismic data have
improved understanding of the static properties and dynamic behaviour of the field,
stimulating the production strategy and driving the reservoir management decision
process.
.

Figure 7: High 4D response denotes clean sand and can be correlated to low
clay content. Whereas drilling, this update proved to have increased the
amount of clean sand in the well by more than 100 meters. Illustration by
StatoilHydro
The figure 8 below shows the data have identified bypassed volumes in unswept
reservoir compartments, improved the estimate of residual reserves and the
associated uncertainties, also have helped to identify drilling hazards that have
evolved over the life time of the field. Since the first repeat seismic survey in 1995,
4D seismic data have been integrated into a multi-disciplinary increased oil
recovery (IOR) effort that aims to recover 70% of the in-place reserves from a
structurally complex and heterogeneous reservoir sequence.

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Figure 8: Siesmic survey in Gullfaks field 1985 and 1999.

3.4 – The Brent Group and Formations.


 Lunde Formation: Located in the lower bottom part for the Gullfaks reservoir,
have an alternative sand-and mudstone composed from fluvial and lacustrine
deposition, have a moderate to poor reservoir quality with substantial amounts
of water, the recovery factor is 8%.

 Cook Formation: Cook-1 is not a reservoir, Cook-2 formation mainly of fine-


grained bioturbated sandstone and mudstone, Cook-3 formation mainly of
medium to fine grained non- bioturbated sandstone interbeded with shales,
have a moderate to poor reservoir quality due the calcite cemented layers affect
the fluid flow in the formation, Cook-3 has good reservoir quality, the recovery
factor is, and a recovery 28 %.

 The Brent Group: Upper Brent (Ness and Tarbert formations), Lower Brent, the
main reservoir in the Gullfaks field with 73% of the oil in place, It is a Delta
system deposited in the mid – Jurassic period, have excellent reservoir
properties and the recovery factor is 60%.

 Statfjord Formation: Young sands and Old sands formations and refer to the
age of the source rock, the mica content is lower in the “young sands” which
constitutes the upper part of the Statfjord Formation, Poor sand strength, and
the recovery factor is 56 %.

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Chapter 4 – Petroleum Geology

4.1 – Trap, Seal and Timing.

The Northern North Sea region offers reservoirs of a good quality source with a high
quantity of fluids reserves. The major thick seal and efficient trapping mechanism has
been built an effective petroleum system in the reservoirs area. The well-known
Petroleum system in the Northern North is Sea is covered by a major source rocks in
the Upper Jurassic marine shale. The Upper Jurassic petroleum system involves the
Upper Jurassic source, Triassic and Lower to Middle Jurassic sandstones reservoirs,
and Kimmeridge clay formation in the late Jurassic. These reservoirs have a high
hydrocarbon generation potential properties.

4.2 Source Rock


The source rock in the Jurassic mudstone of the Northern North Sea area is based up
on the amount the organic matter. For the evaluation was used the immature
Kimmerdge clay formation. The organic matter is mostly of Type II Kerogen.

4.3 Cap Rock


The Gullfaks Filed has a huge variety in formations, overlying marine fine-graine post
rift sediments rocks forms the seals (cap rock). The Tilted faulted blocks sealed by
those sediments forms structured seals and is the major trapping mechanism of the
field (figure 7). “The reservoir rocks in the Gullfaks area has a formation capped by
cretaceous shales and siltstones” (Fossen, 2001).

4.4 Facies
The facies are very shaly sand on conventional gamma ray and neutron/density
combination logs. Besides, the conventional logs are not able to differentiate between
the various types of heterolithic facies. A developed resolution, quantitative
electrofacies analysis we taken place using multivariate statistical methods, which has
allowed facies units of c. 0.5m to 1 m thickness to be recognised.

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4.5 Reservoir Properties

Table 1: Reservoir properties, permeability, porosity, water saturation from the


3 formations and in all zones.

4.6 – Migration and Maturation


It is assumed that the process of migration begins in the periods of Paleocene to Eonce
and the primary migration has happened by an oil phase expulsion through fractures
which was created by abnormal pressures that resulted from generation. Secondly, a
different view suggests that the porosity in the reservoir was formed in the process
conversion of the kerogen into oil and the drop in fluids interfacial tension by rising the
temperature.

While the secondary migration was regarded as a small distance migration of spilling
structures from fields close to the Gullfaks fields. Therefore the result of a good source

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and reservoir rock with thick seal and efficient trapping mechanism has built an
effective petroleum system.

The Kimmerridge clay formation is the richest and main source rocks in the Gullfaks
field. The immature Kimmeridge Clay formation is high in organic material. Originally
the thermal maturity originated the depositional environmental formed by marine
environment sediments. The generation is Type II Kerogen with oil and gas.

Chapter 5 – Technical Challenges. Geological Uncertainties.


The Gullfaks field was the most challenge field in the history of Norway. Also it was the
only field with the total control of Norway companies; it was the most complex field
factors related with numbers of uncertainties and faults existent in vast area difficult
read of the seismic technology.
Faults are very common on this formation. From figure 9 it can be clearly seen the
faults of the formation, the field is mainly caracterized by two contrasting
compartments, which on one hand a western domino system with typical domino-style
fault block geometry and on the other hand a deeply eroded easten horst complex
ofstreep faults. The two regions are very different according to the structural
development. Below the main picture there is a separate image showing the
accommodation zone which is identified as a modified fold structure in between the
western and eastern regions.

Figure 9: Image showing the strutural compartments of the formation and the
faults.
The Gullfaks has 3 platforms as shown previously on figure 2; the main field is over
pressured with an initial pressure of 310 bars at a depth of 1850 m below sea level and
at 70 degree C. The oil is undersaturated with a pressure of nearly 245 bars but it
depends on the location and the depth of formation. As it is shown on the above figure,
the field is further cut by smaller faults both in dominant north-south area and east-west

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[GULLFAKS OIL AND GAS FIELD] November 5th , 2014

this result in complex reservoir communication. Therefore this and other uncertainties
are a big challenge in placing wells in the reservoir.
According to research the main field is declining and there was reduction in production
by a third from the peak of 1994 where production went over 30 MSm3. However, the
estimative of recoverable oil reserves are 360 MSm3.

Chapter 6 – Facilities, Production and General Description of


the oil Field.
The Gullfaks licence expires in 2016 nevertheless it is predicted to be extended the life
of Gullfaks to 2030. So far over 170 wells have been drilled.
Above are data related to the fields, information from Statoil website:
Blocks and production licences
Block 34/10 - production licence 050, awarded 1978
Block 34/10 - production licence 050 B, awarded 1995
Development approval: 09.10.1981 by the Storting
Discovered: 1978
On stream: 22.12.1986
Operator: Statoil Petroleum AS
Licensees
 Petoro: AS 30.00 %
 Statoil: Petroleum AS 70.00 %
Recoverable reserves
Original
 365.5 million Sm³ oil
 23.1 billion Sm³ gas
 2.8 million tonnes NGL
Remaining as of 31.12.2012
 11.6 million Sm³ oil
Estimated production in 2013
 Oil: 39 000 barrels/day
Expected investment from 2012: 39.6 billion 2012 values
Total investment as of 31.12.2011: 74.9 billion nominal values
Main supply base: Sotra and Florø

Reservoir characteristic

 Area 50km2
 Top Surface 1700 m TVD
 Dipping:0-20 West
 Oil-Water Contact: 1947 m TVD
 Initial pressure: 210 bar
 Bubble point pressure : 220 bar
 Initial temperature: 72 deg C
 Formation volume factor: 1.2

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 Oil Viscosity :1.2 cp


 Oil gravity: 36.API Gullfaks
Block 34/10
Production licences - 050 and 050 B

Awarded - 1978 and 1995

Total recoverable reserves 2 265 mill


bbl oil
24.2 bn scm gas
3 mill tonnes NGL
Remaining at 31 Dec 2008 126.4 mill
bbl oil
1.5 bn scm gas
0.2 mill tonnes NGL

Discovery year - 1978


Approved for development - 9 Oct
1981
On stream - 22 Dec 1986
Operator - Statoil
Operations organisation - Bergen
Main supply - bases Sotra and Florø
Licensees
Statoil 70%
Petoro 30%

Figure 10: A picture taken with canon camera in 2009 of a sample of oil produced in
the Gullfaks.
The information of the production history in the field shows how mature it is and
investments are being made in order to keep production. This field has a very good oil
shown in figure 10 a very sweet oil with 36 API very economic which means it worth to
invest on this field all methods to enhance recovery and minimise uncertainties are
worth.
6.1 Drive Mechanism
The fluid is produced though pressure support from water, gas and alternating gas
injection. However, the drive mechanism alternates among the drainage parts of the
field and the major strategy is waterflooding. Although several fault blocks are
produced by the reduction in pressure. Hydraulic fracturing has also been a strategic
method for reservoir management 18 well were fractured and 7 more wells have
finished the control and downhole instrumentation in order to enhance oil recovery.

6.2 Transport
In Gullfaks oil goes through pipes to platform A for processing, storage and then
transport in tankers, after been processed in C rich gas not injected into the reservoir is
exported via statpipe to karsto for further processing.

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6.2 Economics of the field


According to the most recent studies and happening on the field the figure is that the
life was extended until 20130 and estimated recovery of 74%.
With a guarantee oil quality reserves from this mature field are estimated to be 230
MM.Sm3 of oil (1.5 bill. stb) and 25 Billion.Sm3 of associated gas (890 Billion scf).
By and large, this fact allowed the company Statoil to invest without questions on all
the methods and mechanism to be able to produce from this field.
A marked fact was that last year Statoil awarded the Agility Group a contract worth
$110MM in order to modify the platform A Gullfaks. They will provide engineering,
construction, installation and all services relating to subsea of the Rutil and gas fields.
This is one of the investments taking place among others in oil sector within the
Gullfaks.

Chapter 7 – Methodology. Discussion and Results Analysis.


In regard to The Gullfaks field a mature field with many complexity and uncertainties on
the geological structure which turns into difficult the production work. It is very
important today to use the most ultimate technology which gives up-to-date information
access to the latest data on fluid distribution in the reservoir and to know the
distribution is changing with time this will allow the technicians and engineers to
develop strategies to get the most out of the field with a very low risk.
Using 4D seismic as a reservoir is exploited, pore fluid changes in temperature,
pressure and even composition. The production of fluid lowers the pressure and
increases the pressure of overburden on the rock formation. When these changes are
significant a seismic survey acquired after years of production called baseline will show
a different attributes even before production begin.
The major Geological uncertainty for the Gullfaks field resides in the Lunde Formation
due to the sensible to bad reservoir quality in comparison to other reservoirs on the
same area.
The porosity ranges from 0.22 to 0.25 and the permeability ranging from 300 mD to
1900 mD contrasts remarkably from segment to segment. Consequently the most
important reason that makes the oil production challenging is the relatively high initial
water saturation of more than 40% in the large areas. Moreover the recovery factor of
this formation is quite low (8%) because the formation has not been totally finalised yet.

There is a need to increase oil recovery by means of distribution of gas and water
injection in the diverse areas of the field. Additionally, the injection of silica gel is a
technique to increase oil recovery which is has been evaluated by the licensees. Statoil
also aims to increase recovery rate for gas from Gullfaks South Brent from 62 to 74
percent through subsea gas compression.

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Chapter 8 - Conclusions and Recommendations


8.1 Conclusions
In conclusion, Gullfaks is a mature field with a high historic of production which started
28 years ago. The field has reservoir from a sandstone source rock with an oil of very
good quality presenting 36 API value. So far, more than 100 wells have been drilled
and most of them faced many challenges due to the complex geological structures, as
was explained on this research there are many faults in this area. However, the field is
still economic with a remaining oil reserves on 230 MM Sm3 and 25 Billion Sm3 of gas.
Finally, it is really worth investing on this field because profits will appear and using
appropriates methods to improve EOR and make sure maintenance is well managed
until 2030 where the license is overdue production tend to be successful.

8.2 Recommendations
Taking into consideration the fact that the Gullfaks is a mature field it is very important
that the facilities follow maintenance program which allows improving the works in all
sector within the production and exploration. Due the geological uncertainties it is
essential a strategic plan for efficient sand control in order to keep production rates
high.
Furthermore the following can also enhance the production:
 The use of time-lapse 4D seismic measurement techniques. This is considered
to be very important particularly for finding more of remaining oil. Especially on
this field that has 50 to 80 degrees slope in faults, this would optimize placing
wells in the reservoir.
 Use hydraulic fracturing on future wills for effective management strategy.
 Reduce H2S and restart works on the wells that were previously stopped due to
the production of H2S.
 Drive mechanism should be chosen according to each field historic.
 Use of gas injection due to the main field being over pressured and oil under
saturated.

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References
Agustsson H., Stroenen L.K., and Solheim, O.A.,: "The Gullfaks Field: "Creating
Value by means of a Multidisciplinary Reservoir Management Approach", paper OTC
10739 presented at the 1999 Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas,
3-6 May 1999.

Bale A., Owren K., and Smith M.B.,: "Propped Fracture as a Tool for Sand Control
and Reservoir Management" SPE 24992, presented at EUROPEC, Cannes, France
16-18 November 1992.

Fossen, H., and Hesthammer, J (2001): Structural core analysis from the Gullfaks area,
northern North Sea, in Marine and Petroleum Geology 18 (2001) 411-439. Elsevier
Science Ltd

Fossen, H, (2010) Structural geology. 2011. United Sates of America: Cambridge


University Press, New York

Fossen H. & Hesthammer J: "Structural Geology of the Gullfaks Field, northern


North Sea", In Coward M.P., Daltaban T.S. & Johnson H. (editors) Structural
Geology in Reservoir Characterization. Geological Society, London, Special
Publications, 127, 231-261.

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