Technical and Economic Viability of Using Early Production Facility in Marginal Oil Fields in the Niger Delta

Abstract Marginal oil fields in the Niger Delta encounter significant economic and technical challenges, resulting in suboptimal production and reduced Return on Investment (ROI). This study investigates the implementation of Early Production Facilities (EPFs) as a technically and economically viable alternative to conventional field production methods. EPFs are characterized by low initial costs and reduced capital risk, offering a pragmatic approach to mitigate the infrastructural and financial barriers often faced in marginal oil field development. Using production data from a marginal brownfield, the study models and simulates the performance of a proposed EPF using Microsoft Excel. The model forecasts production output and compares it against existing production benchmarks from conventional facilities. Optimizations are applied to enhance medium-term deliverability across the well-reservoir system and surface facilities. The results demonstrate a positive outcome, with the EPF achieving a high efficiency rate of over 66% compared to conventional facilities investment with an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 45%, highlighting its technical reliability and economic feasibility. The cost advantage of EPFs, derived from lower procurement expenses and the ability to initiate production earlier, underscores their potential to generate higher cumulative production compared to permanent facilities with identical project lifespans. This study validates the technical and economic viability of EPFs in marginal oil fields, demonstrating their capability to optimize production efficiency, reduce project timelines, and deliver a favorable ROI. The findings position EPFs as a transformative solution for marginal field development in resource-constrained environments.