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Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

The success story of Windalia waterflood optimisation through integrated asset management in a mature field*

L. Hartanto A , W. Widjanarko A and D. Muna A
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Chevron Australia Pty Ltd.

The APPEA Journal 51(2) 726-726 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ10106
Published: 2011

Abstract

Australia’s Barrow Island Windalia reservoir—the nation’s largest onshore waterflood—was developed in the late 1960s. The Barrow Island oilfield is Chevron Australia’s only mature waterflood, comprising more than 220 active injectors. The injectors pressurise and increase oil recovery from the geologically complex, low-permeable and heterogeneous Windalia Sand Member. To date it is estimated that the value of waterflooding has effectively reduced the field decline rate from approximately 18 % per annum to less than 2 %—adding millions of barrels in recovery and years on to productive field life. In September of 2008, the Windalia Waterflood achieved full field restitution. This involved the replacement and commissioning of glass-reinforced epoxy injection flow lines, a ring-main network and produced water re-injection facilities. Significant challenges were overcome in the process of realising the restitution’s full potential. Several waterflood optimisation activities have now been executed to achieve oil uplift and to capitalise on Chevron Australia’s investment. Compounded with restitution, the activities have successfully achieved the asset objective of arresting field production decline. This paper highlights the challenges encountered by the waterflood team, providing insights and lessons learned in the dynamic and holistic nature of waterflood management. It also highlights the interplay of considerations and what is crucial to achieving optimum sweep efficiency and pressurisation.

Lina Hartanto has been the WA oil lead reservoir engineer since 2009 and is responsible for maximising and improving recoveries from Barrow Island reservoirs. Lina has more than 10 years of experience with various oil and gas companies, including: reservoir engineer at Woodside Energy Ltd and consultant at Roxar Pty Ltd in the areas of reservoir engineering and reservoir characterisation. She has a PhD and BEng (chemical) (Hons) from Curtin University, Perth.

Wisnu Widjanarko is the WA oil subsurface development team leader with Chevron Australia—he joined the organisation in 2008. He has 20 years of experience in the reservoir engineering disciplines that includes: reservoir simulation, development planning, reserves and mature assets development. He has previously worked for ARCO, BP and Woodside in various locations worldwide. Wisnu has a BSc (electrical engineering) from Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia.

Diala Muna leads the waterflood optimisation team as waterflood coordinator and reservoir engineer through the inception and implementation of pattern balancing in 2009 and 2010. Diala joined Chevron in 2007 as a petroleum engineer and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Engineering (geological) from RMIT University in Melbourne.