Improving Business Performance in New Value Chains Using Standardisation and Injection Efficiency Performance Measures

Abstract This paper demonstrates how applying ISO/TS 3250 for calculation and reporting Injection Efficiency (IE) can add value not only to the upstream oil and gas business category but also to new value chains such as carbon capture and storage (CCS). Utilizing performance measures is a well-established method for tracking and improving operating performance. Production efficiency (PE) is a term often used by operators for historic production availability in the operating phase. Requirements and guidance for PE and IE standardization are given in ISO/TS 3250:2021 "Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries – Calculation and reporting production efficiency in the operating phase." Such standardization is important as it enables good quality benchmarking and more importantly, enables knowledge sharing and well-founded performance improvements to be identified and implemented within and between individual operators. The focus within the upstream sector is typically on Production Efficiency. For many fields, water injection, or gas injection are critical from both an environmental and reservoir pressure maintenance perspective. Although the impact is typically deferred, Injection Efficiency will ultimately impact Production Efficiency, production volumes, revenues, reserves, environmental performance, as well as other important performance measures within a field. In comparison to the traditional oil & gas upstream business category, the relationship between Injection Efficiency, injection volumes and revenues is more immediate and will therefore have a greater focus in the new value chains such as carbon capture and storage. Injection down time will represent a direct loss of income for the storage operator as well as its customers facing possible GHG emission costs due to venting. Having a consistent and standard approach for Injection Efficiency monitoring and applying this for business improvement should help ensure commercially attractive injection and storage projects. This paper discusses how the methodology and framework within ISO/TS 3250 can be applied for value chains that include injection and storage. ISO/TS 3250 was published August 2021 with a focus on Production Efficiency supplemented by Injection Efficiency measures. With the increased need for and focus on new value chains such as CCS, the implementation of standardized injection efficiency measures will significantly aid benchmarking and ultimately lead to improved business performance.