Simulating the Effect of Hydrate Dissociation on Wellhead Stability During Oil and Gas Development in Deepwater

It is well known that methane hydrate has been identified as an alternative resource due to its massive reserves and clean property. However, hydrate dissociation during oil and gas development(OGD) process in deep water can affect the stability of subsea equipment and formation. Currently, there is a serious lack of studies over quantitative assessment on the effects of hydrate dissociation on wellhead stability. In order to solve this problem, ABAQUS finite element software was used to develop a model and to evaluate the behavior of wellhead caused by hydrate dissociation. The factors that affect the wellhead stability include dissociation range, depth of hydrate formation and mechanical properties of dissociated hydrate region. Based on these, series of simulations were carried out to determine the wellhead displacement. The results revealed that, continuous dissociation of hydrate in homogeneous and isotropic formations can causes the non-linear increment in vertical displacement of wellhead. The displacement of wellhead showed good agreement with the settlement of overlying formations under the same conditions. In addition, the shallower and thicker hydrate formation can aggravate the influence of hydrate dissociation on the wellhead stability. Further, it was observed that with the declining elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio, the wellhead displacement increases. Hence, these findings not only confirm the effect of hydrate dissociation on the wellhead stability, but also lend support to the actions, such as cooling the drilling fluid, which can reduce the hydrate dissociation range and further make deepwater operations safer and more efficient.

Application of Tension Leg Platform Combined with Other Systemsin the Development of China Deepwater Oil Fields

The development of deepwater oil fields has reached a new stage with the dramatic increase in water depth and the recent increasing demands of the economic development in the filed. The use of a Tension Leg Platform （TIP） combined with other systems, such as Floating Production Storage and Offloading （FPSO） system, Floating Production Unit （FPU） system, Tender Assisted Drilling （TAD） system, etc., has drawn the industry attention and increased significantly in the past few years. For the areas lacking of pipeline system, the use of TIP（s） combined with FPSO has been chosen to efficiently develop the deepwater fields. The TIP with a Tender Assisted Drilling system significantly reduces the payload of the platform and reduces the investment in the TIP system substantially. This opens the door for many new deepwater field developments to use the tension leg platform. The advantage of the TIP combined with a TAD system is more significant when several TIPs are used for the continuous development of the field. One of the applications for the TIP with a tender assisted drilling system can be in the development of an offshore marginal field. Owing to the increase of water depth, the conventional fixed platform model for the exploration of those fields becomes uneconomical. It also would be too expensive to use a large TIP structure for those marginal fields due to the large amount of initial investment. The TIP system with tender assisted drilling can be used to develop those fields economically. There are many marginal fields in China offshore, especially in shelf areas. The application of this field developing model, combined with the existing field developing experience in China, will open the door for many marginal field developments. This paper will review the application of the combined TIP system through some examples of completed/ongoing projects, and major technical issues encountered in those practices. The potential application of this technology in China deepwater development will be discussed in the end.

Deepwater oil and gas field development in South China Sea

This paper focuses on potential development models of future oil and gas exploration in South China Sea. A detailed study of current development models worldwide is performed through some examples of industry installed/ongoing projects and major technical issues encountered during these practice. Key technologies are discussed for the success of field development. Some of the technologies and field development experience can be used for South China Sea project. Several models are studied in field development for different scenarios,including marginal field,large oil field and gas field. With the massive investment activities,continued improved technologies,and rapidly growing pool of professionals,the offshore industry in China will soon encounter a golden period.

Strategy research on new urban space development and new deepwater terminal in Hengsha

From a strategic perspective,the paper presents a forward-looking thinking supported by interdisciplinary of modern logistics,estuary and coast,environment and ecology,economic management and mathematical statistics. It leads to a reasonable solution to space expansion by reclamation. Construction of new deepwater terminal is the best usage of land resources and can strengthen the status of Shanghai as an international shipping center,thus support the preparation and strategic decision of future urban development of Shanghai.

New technology opens the door for deepwater development

The paper provided an updated status of technology for deepwater field development, demonstrated the importance of its application through actual project example, and discussed some future technical development trends. The focus was on the floating structures. By reviewing some of the engineering aspects of the project, the technology advancement, innovations and challenges in offshore engineering were discussed and demonstrated. The author’s view of technical challenges facing deepwater forwarding was discussed, which covered water depth limitations, new material application, installation methods, riser development and operational issues. An overview of technologies that will enable deepwater projects to be extended into new frontiers was presented.

Deepwater and Deep Layers： the Strategic Choices for China＇s Oil and Gas Resources Development

On December 2, 2017, the 2nd Seminar on the Development Strategy of China＇s Oil and Gas Resources was held in Beijing. This seminar was hosted by the Strategic Research Center for Oil and Gas Resources, Ministry of Land （MLR） and Resources and sponsored by both the CNOOC Exploration Department and the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences of Tongji University. With the theme of ＂deepwater and deep-layer oil and gas resources and development strategy＂,

Petroleum exploration and production in Brazil:From onshore to ultra-deepwaters

The Santos Basin in Brazil has witnessed significant oil and gas discoveries in deepwater pre-salt since the 21^(st)century.Currently,the waters in eastern Brazil stand out as a hot area of deepwater exploration and production worldwide.Based on a review of the petroleum exploration and production history in Brazil,the challenges,researches and practices,strategic transformation,significant breakthroughs,and key theories and technologies for exploration from onshore to offshore and from shallow waters to deep-ultra-deep waters and then to pre-salt strata are systematically elaborated.Within 15 years since its establishment in 1953,Petrobras explored onshore Paleozoic cratonic and marginal rift basins,and obtained some small to medium petroleum discoveries in fault-block traps.In the 1970s,Petrobras developed seismic exploration technologies and several hydrocarbon accumulation models,for example,turbidite sandstones,allowing important discoveries in shallow waters,e.g.the Namorado Field and Enchova fields.Guided by these models/technologies,significant discoveries,e.g.the Marlim and Roncador fields,were made in deepwater post-salt in the Campos Basin.In the early 21^(st)century,the advancements in theories and technologies for pre-salt petroleum system,carbonate reservoirs,hydrocarbon accumulation and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)logging stimulated a succession of valuable discoveries in the Lower Cretaceous lacustrine carbonates in the Santos Basin,including the world-class ultra-deepwater super giant fields such as Tupi(Lula),Mero and Buzios.Petroleum development in complex deep water environments is extremely challenging.By establishing the Technological Capacitation Program in Deep Waters(PROCAP),Petrobras developed and implemented key technologies including managed pressure drilling(MPD)with narrow pressure window,pressurized mud cap drilling(PMCD),multi-stage intelligent completion,development with Floating Production Storage and Offloading units(FPSO),and flow assurance,which remarkably improved the drilling,completion,field development and transportation efficiency and safety.Additionally,under the limited FPSO capacity,Petrobras promoted the world-largest CCUS-EOR project,which contributed effectively to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the enhancement of oil recovery.Development and application of these technologies provide valuable reference for deep and ultra-deepwater petroleum exploration and production worldwide.The petroleum exploration in Brazil will consistently focus on ultra-deep water pre-salt carbonates and post-salt turbidites,and seek new opportunities in Paleozoic gas.Technical innovation and strategic cooperation will be held to promote the sustainable development of Brazil's oil and gas industry.

Floating Production Platforms and their Applications in the Development of Oil and Gas Fields in the South China Sea

This paper studies the current available options for floating production platforms in developing deepwater oil fields and the potential development models of future oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea. A detailed review of current deepwater platforms worldwide was performed through the examples of industry projects, and the pros and cons of each platform are discussed. Four types of platforms are currently used for the deepwater development: tension leg platform, Spar, semi-submersible platform, and the floating production system offloading. Among these, the TLP and Spar can be used for dry tree applications, and have gained popularity in recent years. The dry tree application enables the extension of the drilling application for fixed platforms into floating systems, and greatly reduces the cost and complexity of the subsea operation. Newly built wet tree semi-submersible production platforms for ultra deepwater are also getting their application, mainly due to the much needed payload for deepwater making the conversion of the old drilling semi-submersible platforms impossible. These platforms have been used in different fields around the world for different environments; each has its own advantages and disadvantages. There are many challenges with the successful use of these floating platforms. A lot of lessons have been learned and extensive experience accumulated through the many project applications. Key technologies are being reviewed for the successful use of floating platforms for field development, and potential future development needs are being discussed. Some of the technologies and experience of platform applications can be well used for the development of the South China Sea oil and gas field.

Distribution characteristics, exploration and development, geological theories research progress and exploration directions of shale gas in China

The shale gas resources in China have great potential and the geological resources of shale gas is over 100×10^(12)m^(3),which includes about 20×10^(12)m^(3) of recoverable resources.Organic-rich shales can be divided into three types according to their sedimentary environments,namely marine,marine-continental transitional,and continental shales,which are distributed in 13 stratigraphic systems from the Mesoproterozoic to the Cenozoic.The Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas have the highest geological resources of shale gas,and the commercial development of shale gas has been achieved in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in these areas,with a shale gas production of up to 20×10^(9)m^(3) in 2020.China has seen rapid shale gas exploration and development over the last five years,successively achieving breakthroughs and important findings in many areas and strata.The details are as follows.(1)Large-scale development of middle-shallow shale gas(burial depth:less than 3500 m)has been realized,with the productivity having rapidly increased;(2)breakthroughs have been constantly made in the development of deep shale gas(burial depth:3500-4500 m),and the ultradeep shale gas(burial depth:greater than 4500 m)is under testing;(3)breakthroughs have been made in the development of normal-pressure shale gas,and the assessment of the shale gas in complex tectonic areas is being accelerated;(4)shale gas has been frequently discovered in new areas and new strata,exhibiting a great prospect.Based on the exploration and development practice,three aspects of consensus have been gradually reached on the research progress in the geological theories of shale gas achieved in China.(1)in terms of deep-water fine-grained sediments,organic-rich shales are the base for the formation of shale gas;(2)in terms of high-quality reservoirs,the development of micro-nano organic matter-hosted pores serves as the core of shale gas accumulation;(3)in terms of preservation conditions,weak structural transformation,a moderate degree of thermal evolution,and a high pressure coefficient are the key to shale gas enrichment.As a type of important low-carbon fossil energy,shale gas will play an increasingly important role in achieving the strategic goals of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality.Based on the in-depth study of shale gas geological conditions and current exploration progress,three important directions for shale gas exploration in China in the next five years are put forward.

Water-cut rising mechanism and optimized water injection technology for deepwater turbidite sandstone oilfield: A case study of AKPO Oilfield in Niger Delta Basin, West Africa

Through the analysis of the reservoir connection relationship and the water-cut rising rules after water breakthrough in the highly volatile oil AKPO oilfield, a new model of water-cut rising was established, and the timing and strategy of water injection were put forward. The water-cut rising shapes of producers after water breakthrough can be divided into three types, and their water-cut rising mechanism is mainly controlled by reservoir connectivity. For the producers which directly connect with injectors in the single-phase sand body of the single-phase channel or lobe with good reservoir connectivity, the water-cut rising curve is "sub-convex". For the producers which connect with injectors through sand bodies developed in multi-phases with good inner sand connectivity but poorer physical property and connectivity at the overlapping parts of sands, the response to water injection is slow and the water-cut rising curve is "sub-concave". For the producers which connect with injectors through multi-phase sand bodies with reservoir physical properties, connectivity in between the former two and characteristics of both direct connection and overlapping connection, the response to water injection is slightly slower and the water-cut rising curve is "sub-S". Based on ratio relationship of oil and water relative permeability, a new model of water cut rising was established. Through the fitting analysis of actual production data, the optimal timing and corresponding technology for water injection after water breakthrough were put forward. Composite channel and lobe reservoirs can adopt water injection strategies concentrating on improving the vertical sweep efficiency and areal sweep efficiency respectively. This technology has worked well in the AKPO oilfield and can guide the development of similar oilfields.

Strategies of Efficient Exploration and Development of Deepwater Oil and Gas Overseas

Deepwater offshore area,with rich oil and gas resources,has currently become the hot area for oil and gas exploration and the main battlefield where global oil majors compete with each other.This article summarizes the current situation of deepwater oil and gas exploration and development overseas from the perspectives of exploration history,exploration achievements and technical progress,and analyzes the difficulties and challenges faced by the industry,such as low level understanding of hydrocarbon accumulation conditions,global security and environmental challenges.And then,several feasible implementation strategies have been proposed on how to actively deal with the challenges,promote Chinese oil companies' overseas exploration,and realize efficient exploration and development of deepwater oil and gas fields overseas.These strategies consist of three aspects:profit-oriented operation principle,exploration ideas supported by theory and technology,and exploration strategy that puts safety first.In the era of low oil prices,Chinese oil companies must build up confidence,seize the opportunity and face the challenge while taking efforts to innovate technologies and theories,updates strategic ideas,and cultivate deepwater talents so as to be in an active position in global deepwater exploration and development industry in the future.

Risk Identification and Mitigation Strategies for Deepwater Oilfields Development

Deepwater oilfields will become main sources of the world's oil and gas production.It is characterized with high technology,huge investment,long duration,high risk and high profit.It is a huge system project,including exploration and appraising,field development plan(FDP)design,implementation,reservoir management and optimization.Actually,limited data,international environment and oil price will cause much uncertainty for FDP design and production management.Any unreasonable decision will cause huge loss.Thus,risk foreseeing and mitigation strategies become more important.This paper takes AKPO and EGINA as examples to analyze the main uncertainties,proposes mitigation strategies,and provides valuable experiences for the other deepwater oilfields development.

重力式深水网箱系统参数化建模及应用

重力式深水网箱模型构建是开展网箱力学特性仿真分析的基础,在网箱仿真过程中占据绝大部分的工作量。为解决仿真过程中网箱建模过程繁琐、效率低下的问题,针对重力式深水网箱提出了一种参数化快速建模方案。首先根据网箱各部件特点进行参数化设计,然后编制建模程序并开发相应的操作界面,最终在OrcaFlex软件中实现重力式深水网箱模型的快速构建。工程应用实例测试表明,该程序能大幅提高网箱建模效率,方便开展重力式深水网箱工程计算,研究可为多规格重力式深水网箱仿真模型的快速构建及计算分析提供借鉴。

南海流花11-1油田二次开发工程方案及关键技术

流花11-1油田区域水深约300~330 m,油田于1996年投产,采用水下设施+半潜式平台+FPSO方式开发,但由于设施老化,面临进入退役状态。考虑该油田还有较大的开发潜力,以经济有效开发为目标,对流花11-1油田二次开发方案开展了详细研究,确定了深水导管架平台+圆筒型FPSO的开发模式;针对南海最深水导管架(“海基二号”)、首次应用的圆筒型FPSO(“海葵一号”)设计建造面临的问题展开了系统研究,形成了深水导管架平台设计、420 MPa级高强钢应用与平台建造安装以及圆筒型FPSO的主尺度确定、舱室设计、系泊方案、外输方案等多项关键技术;为进一步降低投资,对流花4-1油田回接管缆利旧可行性及方案进行了研究。新技术应用推动了流花11-1油田的二次开发,对南海深水油田开发,尤其是边际油田开发具有较强借鉴意义。

深水油气高效开发技术装备发展与展望

近年来,深水油气成为国内外油气勘探开发的热点。“十一五”至“十四五”期间,我国深水油气勘探开发取得显著进步,实现从浅水开发到深水开发、合作开发到自营开发、跟跑到并跑甚至局部领跑的“三大跨越”,逐步形成了“区域开发一体评价、少井高产高效开发、智能少人降本增效、高端装备自主可控”的深水油气高效开发理念。中国海油通过立足深水油气勘探高效开发理念,聚焦深水油气高效经济和安全开发,构建了深水油气“勘探—开发—钻采—工程”一体化技术体系,形成了南海北部陆缘深水油气勘探地质理论、深水宽频地震勘探技术、深水油气田储层精细描述技术等10个标志性深水高效开发理论技术,以及地球物理勘探装备、深水半潜式钻井平台及装备等6类高效开发装备。未来将进一步加强深海勘探理论与技术、深水油气田高效开发、超深水钻完井、深水浮式液化天然气开发、全水下油气处理等方面的关键技术与装备攻关,推进我国南海深水油气田高效开发,为我国南海大开发奠定坚实基础。

巴西油气勘探开发历程:从陆上到超深水

21世纪以来,随着桑托斯盆地深水盐下获得一系列重大油气发现,巴西东部海域成为全球深水油气勘探与生产的热点区域。通过全面回顾巴西油气勘探开发历程,系统阐述了从陆上到海域、从浅水到深水—超深水直至盐下勘探的探索实践、战略转变、重大突破和关键理论技术。巴西国家石油公司(简称巴西国油)自1953年成立以后的15年间,在陆上古生界克拉通盆地和断陷盆地进行了勘探,并于断块和三角洲砂体圈闭获得了一些中小型油气发现。20世纪70年代,应用重力流沉积模式和高质量三维地震等勘探新技术,在坎波斯盆地浅水中发现Namorado和Enchova等油田,随后深水盐上勘探获得突破,成功发现Marlim、Roncador等大型油田。21世纪初,通过盐下含油气系统、碳酸盐岩成储成藏模式和核磁共振测井等理论技术攻关,推动桑托斯盆地下白垩统湖相碳酸盐岩陆续获得Tupi(Lula)、Buzios、Mero等世界级超深水盐下大油田的系列重大发现。在复杂的深水作业环境下,油气开发工程面临巨大挑战,巴西国油通过启动深水研发计划(PROCAP),开发并实施窄压力窗口控压钻井、加压钻井液帽钻井、多段智能完井、水下采油及浮式生产平台开发和流动保障等关键技术,显著提升了钻完井、油气田开发和输运的效率及安全性。此外,在浮式采储卸油系统建产规模受限的情况下,推进全球最大规模的CO_(2)捕集、驱油利用与埋存工程(CCUS-EOR),有效减少温室气体排放并提高了原油采收率。上述理论技术的发展和应用,也为全球深水油气勘探开发提供了宝贵经验。未来巴西油气勘探将继续聚焦深水盐下碳酸盐岩和盐上浊积岩,并在古生界天然气等勘探领域持续寻求新的发现,同时通过技术创新和战略合作,促进巴西石油天然气行业的可持续发展。

海上深水气田群高效稳产开发技术研究

海上深水气田群各气藏/井间相互干扰大,且面临流动安全风险,为高效稳产开发,首次在南海西部建立了多节点耦合的一体化模型,提出了稳态模拟和瞬态模拟同时进行优化单井配产的思路,形成了高效稳产开发策略。研究结果表明:一体化模型实现了流量、压力数据从气藏到海底管网到平台的传递,为稳产高效开发研究提供“大数据”基础;稳态模拟表明影响气田高效开采的因素主要为气井动态产能、见水风险、管汇间压力损耗、流动安全等;瞬态模拟实现了深水气田水合物抑制剂注入量优化、积液及段塞流模拟和气井停复产启井顺序优化。通过高效生产与流动安全技术研究,海上深水气田设计开发方案稳产年限较传统方法提高一年,稳产期采出程度增加3%,为实现深水气田群长期高效稳产开发提供技术支撑。

中国首个长期弃置深水油田二次开发技术创新与实践

中国首个长期弃置的深水油田由于二次开发面临复杂的技术难题和较低的经济效益等问题,成为难以动用的边际油田。通过GGRP(地球物理-地质-油藏-生产)一体化技术研究与实践,盘活弃置油田,保障高产稳产。针对剩余油分布的不确定性、构造复杂、储层非均质及水下管汇限温等问题,克服了多项前沿技术难点。这些创新技术包括长期水驱关停油田的剩余油预测技术、复杂油藏的地质导向及精细描述技术、油藏管流耦合模型流动保障技术,成功指导了油田的二次开发,显著提升了油田的开发效果。结果表明:该油田初期产能跃居南海东部油田前三,实际含水上升趋势与方案设计基本一致,预计增加可采储量达259×10^(4)m^(3)。这一开拓性研究为长期弃置深水油田二次开发提供了宝贵的经验,该科技成果在同类油田的开发进程中有着广泛的应用前景。

深水固井技术研究进展

深水固井技术是深水油气钻完井的关键技术之一,为促进深水固井技术的研究与发展,对深水固井所面临的问题进行了较全面的分析。在总结国外深水固井水泥浆体系、注水泥顶替技术、固井设备、固井工艺和水泥环长期封隔性能研究现状的基础上,指出深水固井技术研究应以固井体系设计简单和施工方便为前提、以"对环境友好"为原则、以水泥环实现长期封隔为目的。

深水开发的新型立管系统——钢悬链线立管(SCR)

1种全新的深水立管系统——钢悬链线立管（Steel Catenary Riser，SCR）在翠西哥湾（Golf of Mexico）、坎普斯湾（Campos Basin）、北海（North Sea）和西非（West Africa）得到了成功应用。它的适用水深为300～3000m，且适用现有任何浮式结构，从浅水的固定式平台到极深水的浮式生产储运系统（FPSO）。因此，它取代了传统的柔性立管和顶张力立管，成为深水油气开发的首选立管，被认为是深水立管系统的成本有效的解决方案。