Toward less carbon-intensive, faster gas-to-market offshore development schemes a case study of using discovered resources in the Bedout Sub-basin
Hongfeng Wu A * , Stephen Molyneux A , Qi Chu A , Fengxu Jian A and Julian Mather AA
Hongfeng Wu is a Director and Principal Reservoir Engineer at MA and has extensive experience in real-world management of oil and gas assets from exploration, through development, production, and abandonment. With a 27-year career in the Oil and Gas industry, he is well-versed in the multi-faceted decisions required during project management and re-invigoration of old fields. Previously, Hongfeng held senior technical positions at Shell, BP and CNOOC. |
Stephen Molyneux, renowned for discovering over 5 billion barrels of oil and gas since 1989 with teams at Enterprise, PanCanadian, and Carnarvon, now advises firms globally, including Harvester Energy and 3D Oil. Leading the Australia Oil and Gas Scout Group and co-organising the Basins Workshop, his early inspiration came from J.R. Ewing, sparking his passion for geology and oil exploration. |
Qi Chu, a physicist and data consultant with over a decade of experience in physics modelling and computational sciences, combines her PhD in Physics with expertise in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. Her rich research background includes stints at UWA, Australia’s gravitational wave sciences centre, and the LIGO scientific group. Recently transitioning to the oil and gas sector, Chu now delivers simulation solutions and data-driven products to leading corporations. |
Fengxu Jian is a senior geoscience advisor who has spent over 30 years delivering top-tier and reliable solutions for a plethora of global oil and gas projects covering field appraisal, development, and production on conventional and unconventional assets in Australia/New Zealand, South-East Asia, United States, West Africa, United Kingdom, South America, and Middle East. Fengxu holds a PhD in sedimentology and stratigraphy and had worked in key senior technical leadership roles within Chevron for over 20 years. |
Julian Mather has over 30 years of diversified experience in the Oil and Gas industry worldwide with extensive experience in management of oil and gas exploration assets through to development. He has worked in Australia, Angola, USA, France, and United Kingdom. He has technical expertise in the full exploration cycle from acreage capture through to field appraisal with extensive knowledge of the geophysical aspects including data acquisition, processing and in particular interpretation which is his passion. |
Abstract
The Dorado and Pavo fields in the Bedout Sub-basin of the Roebuck Basin, offshore Western Australia, boast a combined 2C contingent resource of 210 MMbbls of liquid hydrocarbons and 750 bcf of gas. Their discovery represents a significant development opportunity for the Australian offshore, especially given the considerable un-risked Prospective Resources in the basin. However, Dorado faces challenges due to its high volatile oil/high condensate gas ratio gas (wet gas) accumulation and its reservoir pressure exceeding 5500 psia, necessitating a miscible gas injection strategy to maximise liquid recovery. This approach involves energy-intensive gas processing and high-pressure reinjection, leading to substantial greenhouse gas emissions. The CO2 intensity directly from Dorado compressors is estimated at 30–39 kg/bbl – on a project-level nearly double the average unit emissions of many producers. This paper explores alternative development schemes using public domain information and petroleum engineering principles to mitigate technical risks, reduce CO2 emissions, and possibly improve the economics and development timeline of the Dorado and Pavo fields. For Dorado, a simpler scheme focussing on oil production and gas delivery for domestic or liquefied natural gas (LNG) use could significantly reduce emissions. Meanwhile, Pavo might see development via a standalone FPSO, emphasising reservoir energy management through water flooding and produced water disposal, typical of conventional black oil field development. These alternatives aim for a less carbon intensive and economically viable development pathway, setting a precedent for future exploration and development in the basin.
Keywords: Bedout Sub-basin, CO2 intensity, development concept, Dorado, offshore, Pavo, Roebuck Basin, volatile oil, Western Australia.
Hongfeng Wu is a Director and Principal Reservoir Engineer at MA and has extensive experience in real-world management of oil and gas assets from exploration, through development, production, and abandonment. With a 27-year career in the Oil and Gas industry, he is well-versed in the multi-faceted decisions required during project management and re-invigoration of old fields. Previously, Hongfeng held senior technical positions at Shell, BP and CNOOC. |
Stephen Molyneux, renowned for discovering over 5 billion barrels of oil and gas since 1989 with teams at Enterprise, PanCanadian, and Carnarvon, now advises firms globally, including Harvester Energy and 3D Oil. Leading the Australia Oil and Gas Scout Group and co-organising the Basins Workshop, his early inspiration came from J.R. Ewing, sparking his passion for geology and oil exploration. |
Qi Chu, a physicist and data consultant with over a decade of experience in physics modelling and computational sciences, combines her PhD in Physics with expertise in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. Her rich research background includes stints at UWA, Australia’s gravitational wave sciences centre, and the LIGO scientific group. Recently transitioning to the oil and gas sector, Chu now delivers simulation solutions and data-driven products to leading corporations. |
Fengxu Jian is a senior geoscience advisor who has spent over 30 years delivering top-tier and reliable solutions for a plethora of global oil and gas projects covering field appraisal, development, and production on conventional and unconventional assets in Australia/New Zealand, South-East Asia, United States, West Africa, United Kingdom, South America, and Middle East. Fengxu holds a PhD in sedimentology and stratigraphy and had worked in key senior technical leadership roles within Chevron for over 20 years. |
Julian Mather has over 30 years of diversified experience in the Oil and Gas industry worldwide with extensive experience in management of oil and gas exploration assets through to development. He has worked in Australia, Angola, USA, France, and United Kingdom. He has technical expertise in the full exploration cycle from acreage capture through to field appraisal with extensive knowledge of the geophysical aspects including data acquisition, processing and in particular interpretation which is his passion. |
References
Santos Ltd (2022) Dorado Development Offshore Project Proposal. Available at https://info.nopsema.gov.au/offshore_projects/49/show_public
