Rejuvenating Mature Field Production Through Optimized Artificial Lifting Methods

Abstract Marina oil production Company aiming to enhance oil recovery factor, which represents percentage of economically recoverable original oil in place by changing the artificial lift technology in the Sidi Rahman brownfield. Improving the recovery factor help increase the field's overall production and extend its productive life. The Company has established a technical team consists of members from different disciplines. The team conducted a comprehensive study, re-evaluated the reservoir characteristics, original oil in place and remaining reserves in each reservoir sand, to maximize the recovery factor. To increase oil production, reduce operating costs, and evaluate new infill drilling opportunities. The main challenges that the wells encounter Multilayer reservoirs and the existing artificial lift system (Sucker Rod Pump) cannot establish higher draw down in high productivity index reservoirs due to the limitation of downhole pump size (through tubing pump, not bigger than 2.25") to allow zones with different reservoir pressure to contribute its production, despite the fluid level is near by the surface. Hence, it is decided to replace the existing Artificial lift method by an electrical submersible pump (ESP), to create a higher drawdown and increase production rate. A work over campaign was successfully executed and converted the two sucker pump wells to produce by electrical submersible pumps. The results of ESP installation and commissioning were amazing and indicated a significant increase in Marina Company production from 130 to 1000 BOPD. Oil production increasing approximately by 660 % from company production prior the workover campaign, in addition to a significant decrease in operating cost from approximately 38 to 15 USD / bbl. oil through first year of implementation. The new artificial lift method (ESP), successes in enhancing contribution from multiple zones with different reservoir pressures and contributed in increasing the recovery factor by 7 % during this period.