Unconventional Gas Field Development Planning: Best Practices for Surface Facilities Design

Abstract Objective Optimizing surface facilities planning for unconventional oil and gas fields is challenging due to steep decline rates and variable production profiles. Continuous drilling and tie-ins of new wells are necessary to sustain production, as a result, operators of unconventional fields face significant capital expenditure (CAPEX) commitments not only for the initial set of wells but also to for successive waves of infill drilling and well tie-in during subsequent years to sustain targeted production levels. Judicious planning and tailored facility layouts are crucial to manage costs and ensure reliable production. The findings of this study highlight the importance of carefully examining multiple aspects of surface facilities in unconventional fields, in order to identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ultimately ensuring the reliable delivery of target production rates. Methodology Hydrocarbon producer wells of unconventional field trend steep decline in production and pressure. In order to meet the target break-even point unconventional field owners needs to plan hundreds of infill horizontal wells drilling in large area and then to tie in with central processing facility. The methodology employed in this study for unconventional field development planning involves a comprehensive examination of several critical aspects. These include: flow line routing optimization from well head up to fluid gathering manifolds, optimize connection between fluid gathering manifolds and central processing facility through trunk line, determining the need for dual pressure operation and balancing production through pressure booster’s sizing against trunk Line Footprint. Conclusion Contrary to conventional expectations, development of unconventional field faces challenges of larger area development, lower production through individual well, steep decline of reservoir, continuous tie-in of newer wells with existing surface facilities network and segregation of wells based upon early, mid or late life production. These challenges impose significant risk tounconventional field development planning as their influence extends beyond just CAPEX, affecting OPEX as well and need to address through detail front end engineering studies during early stage of planning for the development of base field development model. Novel/Additive Information This study highlights key surface facilities development challenges associated with unconventional fields development, emphasizing the importance of considering these issues during the early planning stages to assess potential risks and develop effective mitigation strategies that can be implemented throughout the project lifecycle.