For CFR - Account for Greenhouse Gases Emissions in Upstream Activities Through Sustainable Integrated Asset Modeling

The objective of this paper is to present the benefits of an integrated greenhouse gases (GHG) emission and hydrocarbon production forecasting approach and proprietary tool, called For CFR, currently being deployed within the Company on real cases. The presented approach consists in organically integrating material, heat and power balance modeling of an asset within reference hydrocarbon production forecasting softwares. At every simulation timestep, equipment power needs (e.g. compressors or pumps) are evaluated according to hydrocarbon production and injection potential. Power needs are then transmitted as a load to equipment power sources (e.g. gas turbines) for fuel gas rate evaluation. Flare gas rate is evaluated from flaring policy, combining planned and unplanned contributions. Fuel and flare gas rates are finally converted into GHG emissions. Constraints such as asset GHG intensity or condition-driven equipment startups and shutdowns have also been implemented. In the context of brownfield assets, For CFR approach allows integrated asset GHG emissions and hydrocarbon production evaluations for short-term optimization and planification, as well as long-term projects evaluations. In the context of greenfield assets, For CFR approach allows screening of various design assumptions from reservoir to surface parameters and promotes sanctioning the most valuable and energy efficient development. This paper illustrates clear examples of GHG emissions reductions opportunities with associated production profiles, varying subsurface and surface parameters. As an example, reservoir management can have a significant impact on GHG emissions and shows complex interactions. Indeed, water injection voidage replacement optimization was screened on an oil field operated by the Company: when water injection is reduced, short term GHG intensity decreases as less water is produced, treated and pumped for injection. Long term GHG intensity then increases to a higher than initial value, as the reservoir depletes and more energy is required to sustain production (e.g. riser gas-lift) and to treat associated produced gas. Other examples involving surface equipment optimization are detailed in this paper. The novelty of For CFR approach consists in integrating fuel gas and flare gas GHG emissions evaluation directly within reference hydrocarbon production forecasting softwares. It allows to better and faster capture subsurface - surface interactions and to evaluate more GHG intensity reduction opportunities with associated hydrocarbon production, leading to more valuable asset evaluation all along field life.