ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF THE KUTUBU RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Abstract

In spite of all the of the studies and analyses conducted since the initial oil discovery in 1986, considerable uncertainty existed over the expected performance of the Kutubu reservoirs prior to initial production. Extensive use of reservoir simulation during the field development helped overcome technical challenges in the development phase. Continued modelling work has increased understanding of reservoir behaviour, identified additional development opportunities and further enhanced field economics.

Since First Oil in June 1992, over 100 MMSTB of light, sweet Kutubu crude oil have been produced and exported {through October 1994). At present, the field produces approximately 120,000 STBO/D from 27 vertical wells and two horizontal wells. Reservoir pressure maintenance is provided by gravity-stable re-injection of produced gas into five wells.

On the whole, the reservoirs have met or exceeded expectations to date. This is in part due to the effective planning and implementation of a strategy to manage the Kutubu reservoirs. This reservoir management strategy combines an aggressive program of reservoir surveillance, data collection, computer simulation and continuous reassessment of previous assumptions.