SPE 101491

An Approach for Production

Redevelopment Plan

Enhancement

Opportunities

in

Brownfield

Antonio Cuauro, SPE, Schlumberger, Mohd Izat Ali, Maharon Bin Jadid, SPE, Petronas Carigali Sdn. Bhd.; and Ekrem
Kasap and Torsten Friedel, SPE, Schlumberger

Copyright 2006, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2006 SPE Russian Oil and Gas Technical
Conference and Exhibition held in Moscow, Russia, 36 October 2006.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
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acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O.
Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836 U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435.

Abstract
Betty is an oil field discovered in 1968 and produced
since 1978. With the objective of rejuvenating the asset,
a multidisciplinary optimization team was built. The
standard practices for production enhancement
opportunities include logging, nodal analysis and well
engineering technologies. Usually, the older the field, the
more challenging to achieve additional reserves. This
paper outlines an integrated approach for achieving these
opportunities, reducing the risk on oil recovery
associated with the various enhancement initiatives. The
objectives of this paper are to present (i) how using
numerical simulation to support and improve the
strategies for production enhancement opportunities
identified by the standard screening exercises in a brown
field and (ii) how to optimize redevelopment plan for
maximum recovery.
First, several increased well production opportunities
were identified based on the standard methodology.
Then, to reduce uncertainties and risks associated with
proposed activities, full field numerical simulation
model was run and results were reconciled. This was
followed by incorporation of the surface facility
constraints to identify bottlenecks. The comparison
between standard analysis and the new approach gave a
more reliable platform for predicting field performance.
Results also added valued information for optimizing
further infill drilling targets. Lessons learned and

Now with Shell E&P

recommendations for future development campaigns on

other fields were established.
After 6 months of implementation and monitoring, the
proposed initiatives have achieved some 13% increase in
the total oil production; savings 14 MMUS$ by reducing
the number of infill wells planned, and creating an
additional ultimate oil recovery of 4.98 MMstb. In the
future, implementation of all opportunities will produce
sufficient information for optimizing infill drilling and
work-over campaigns on Betty Field.
The application of this innovative approach to
brownfields helped identifying new opportunities, which
have been a key factor in the rejuvenating Betty Field.
Introduction
Brownfields has been defined as mature fields in a state
of declining production or reaching the end of their
productive lives, such fields contain resources that are
needed worldwide by the countries they belong to and
the world economy. These brownfields are generally
more than 30 years old and account for 67-72% of
worlds production1.
The Betty field was discovered in 1968 by the Betty-1
well, 40km offshore from Lutong in the Baram Delta. A
24-slot drilling platform, BEPD-A was installed in 1978
from which 9 development wells were drilled. Two other
structures house the separation facilities and a flare
boom.
Three Revisit campaigns were conducted on the Betty
field. The first, in 1984 drilled 5 additional wells. The
second campaign, in 1988, drilled 10 additional wells
and worked over two existing wells. The third revisit
was in 1994 to sidetrack 4 wells.
There are eight reservoirs that have been targeted and
produced. All of the wells are dual string completions
with 2 or more perforated intervals.

SPE 101491

With the objective of rejuvenating the field, Petronas

Carigali and Schlumberger joined forces to improve
recovery from this mature field2. A multidisciplinary
team was deployed between the two companies, and the
collective approach to meet this objective is application
of practical and focusing engineering and geology tied
up with new techonology. As part of this effort, a
Production Enhancement Plan of the existing wells was
set.
Production Enhancement involves different techniques
for improve the current performance of a well, such as
fracturing, acidizing, perforations, artificial lift, among
others3,4. The way to approach the maximum
productivity of a well is determine by the quality of the
data and the amount of it; however, pseudo steady state
is always taken into consideration when a workover or
change in the well condition is recommended. The
common workflow for production enhancement would
include:

Top Structure Maps Review

Production Data Analysis
Log Data Analysis
Completion Data
Nodal Analysis
Available Technology
Recommendation/Report

Since Field Development Plans involves multiple

objectives5, this paper will cover the well engineering
part of it, focusing on production enhancement
strategies. Determination of the Estimated Ultimate
Recovery (EUR), and the location of these reserves
using both numerical simulation and nodal analysis,
which are the key issues in this integrated approach. The
integrated approach was used in order to reduce
uncertainties and risks associated with proposed
activities.
The Betty Field Approach
A production enhancement study was conducted on the
Betty Field as part of the Field Development Plan. The
objective of this work is to verify well performance and
identify underperforming wells. A classical approach of
log interpretation, production data evaluation and nodal
analysis was used first to evaluate inflow and outflow
performances of each well. Nodal analysis combines the
reservoirs ability to deliver fluid and the wells vertical
lift performance, thus it gives the estimate of well
deliverability. Well performances were cross-checked
with the reservoir simulation model. Reservoir models
were generated using numerical simulation software. All
new technology to be implemented was checked against

this approach, trying to find the best EUR possible for

each alternative, Fig. A-1.
The description of the inputs required to build the
numerical simulation model are in Fig. A-2; for Betty,
all the data was collected, and 25 years production
history was matched6.
In general it is important to find reservoir opportunities
with production enhancement without bearing any major
CAPEX. As a result, a screening process was carried out
to identify the possible well candidates for commingled
production. Well B-1 is considered to be the best
candidate for commingled production to revive the B5
sand through the short string. Well B-1 is producing
around 2 MMscfd of High-Pressure gas and can provide
gas to help revive the B5 sand by means of natural gas
lift. The ECLIPSE model for the commingled production
through the short string shows an incremental production
of 300-400 bopd by utilizing about 0.5 MMscfd gas
from another zone already completed as a source of
natural gas lift for the B5 sand. This is discussed in the
well-by-well analysis section.
The impact of adding perforations is described in detail
and several cases were studied. The following
considerations were made while selecting the possible
candidates: in C1 reservoirs - enhance the ultimate oil
recovery and find a source for additional High-Pressure
gas to export to Neigbour Field as gas lift supplier. It is
important to note that every MMscfd of gas lift that can
be exported from Betty Field would represent around
800 bopd gain in this neigbour field. In A6.5/A7
reservoirs is possible to enhance the ultimate oil
recovery; three wells, B-2, B-3 and B-6 are candidates
for adding perforations in C1 the first two, and B6.5/B7
in the B-6 case; numerical simulation cases were run
showing opportunities to increase the production of these
wells 200 bopd and 1000 bopd respectively.
Results
During the Field Development Plan, Production
Enhancement Initiatives were performed and the results
are shown in Table A-1. After seven months, some
recommendations were implemented on Betty Field.
Increasing the choke size in three wells resulted in 800
bopd with just 7% water cut increase; also, additional 3
MMscfd of gas is delivered to the neigbour field,
representing also oil increment in that field because of
more gas lift is available. The total increment in daily oil
production is around 13% for the field.

SPE 101491

With these results, more activities were studied and the

results, including the new approach of using numerical
simulation, is described below.
Commingled Production
Well B-1:
A screening process was adopted to identify the possible
candidates for commingled production from the Betty
producing reservoirs using the existing well stock. This
included screening the existing completions for
commingled production, well performance through nodal
analysis models and finally the performance predictions
using the numerical simulation models to validate the
scenarios. Four scenarios were proved viable for
commingled production through classical approach.
However, B-1 is the only one scenario that could be
validated through the numerical simulation model.
A commingled production scenario was investigated for
well B-1 that is currently producing from the B3
reservoir through the long string. Nodal analysis was
performed to see the impact of commingled production
on B5 reservoir. The objective was to revive the
production from the B5 reservoir through the same long
string of the B-1 well, Fig. A-2.
For the Well B-1:B3 completion, the last nodal analysis
matched using Ansari correlation and a Productivity
Index of 0.4 stb/day/psi for GOR of 25000 scf/stb in
2005. B-1:B3 was tested on February 2005 at 12 bopd,
41% WCT and GOR of 70 Mscf/stb. There are
considerable fluctuations in the test results for this well,
probably due to the relatively low flow rates for 3
tubing. New nodal analysis indicated that Ansari
remains the best fitting correlation even with this GOR.
A PI of 0.04 stb/day/psi matches the inflow performance
of the well.
B-1:B5 was tested on June 30 2004 at 284 bopd, 41 %
WC and GOR of 760 scf/stb. Gas lift quantity of 246
Mscfd was required to kick off the well. In 2005, there
was another attempt to produce the B5 reservoir but the
well was dead and no-gas lift was injected for kick-off.
The nodal analysis with Hagedorn & Brown correlation
fits the best for outflow performance and a PI of 0.9
stb/day/psi matches the inflow performance for this test.
Finally, a nodal analysis case was run commingling both
B3 and B5 reservoir, and the results showed an
incremental production of 605 bopd by commingling the
B3 and B5 reservoirs through the B-1 long string
completion. However, the well cannot deliver this rate in
the High Pressure mode. As a result, the well has to be

diverted to Low Pressure separator and there will be a

significant loss of High Pressure gas.
The numerical simulation model for B reservoirs
(B3/B5/B7) was used to validate the findings In the
ECLIPSE model, the currently producing long string of
B-1:B3 was commingled to revive the B5 reservoir in
June 1, 2005. The Tubing Head Pressure target of 800
psi was used for the commingled string as the well is
currently delivering the High Pressure Gas. The
performance of the new commingled string was
predicted and the results indicate an incremental oil
production of 300-400 bopd by utilizing about 0.5
MMscf/d gas from the B-1:B3 completion. Therefore, in
this case B5 reservoir can be revived using B3 as a
source of natural gas lift.
Add Perforations
Well B-3:
The location of B-3 well is shown in Fig. A-3. A variety
of options have been considered in this study to assess
the impact of adding perforations to wellbores in C1
reservoir using numerical simulation; the base case is
basically to produce the reservoir as it is now. The
economical limit for oil, gas, water cut are 10 stb/d, 0.1
Mscfd and 98%, respectively, for a 20-year period up to
31 December 2025. The prediction runs were on THP
control at a minimum of 800 psi (High Pressure
Separator), because this reservoir is mainly the gas lift
source to export to the Neigbour Field.
Three cases were evaluated as described in the following
paragraphs:
1. Adding perforations and shutting-off the existing
perforations Petronas Carigali recommendations.
2. Adding perforations taking into consideration the
saturation models done in numerical simulation
without shutting off the existing perforations.
3. Adding perforations and shutting off existing
perforation.
The results are summarized in Table A-2, Fig A-4
according to Ultimate Recovery of Oil, the time in
months that the well can deliver more than 10 MMscfd
of HHP gas and the average production of oil in stb/d.
The main problem is the impact of adding perforations in
B-3 on the overall performance of the other wells in C1
reservoir, specifically B-9: this is the best High Pressure
gas producer in the Field and the major gas lift supply to
our neigbour field; it is producing around 14 MMscfd of
HP gas and 370 bopd, 63% water-cut by 2005. In the
three cases mentioned above, the production

performance of well B-9 will be jeopardized and the well

production will ceased in July 2005.

Well B-6
B-6 was completed in B3 reservoir (short string) and A7
reservoir (long string). B-6 has had several tests in the
last 5 years, all of which have shown very high watercuts and negligible oil rates. The case discussed here is
to shut off A7 reservoir and perforate A6.5 sands. From
the operational point of view it can be done in B-6:A7
completion via access through long string, Fig. A-5.
The location of B-6 is shown in Fig. A-6. The impact of
adding perforations on the ultimate recovery from
B6.5/B7 is shown in Fig. A-7; the additional
contribution to the ultimate recovery is 0.89 MMstbo.
The peak rates of oil production for add perforations in
B6.5 reservoirs varied from 1000 to 3800 bopd Fig. A-8.
Three wells have produced commingled from the B6.5
and B7.0 sands. Besides this simulation, models
developed during the Betty FFR suggest that B6.5 and
B7.0 sands are single reservoir as they have same fluid
contacts. A simulation case was run in to determine the
impact of adding perforations to B-6 against production
of Well B-8 producing from B7 reservoir, which is one
of the best well in Betty Field: controlling the production
from B-6 in 500 bopd, will keep the same EUR for B-8
over the same period of time. As a conclusion, the
change in production is not significant enough to say that
adding perforations in well B-6 could jeopardize the
performance of well B-8, Fig. A-9.
Aditionally, the results of this workover will eliminate
the requirement of an infill well in this location, saving 7
MMUS$ by avoiding drilling rig and reducing the risk
assessment overall.

Open up Idle Wells

Well B-9
The Well B-9 was drilled to produce the B7 reservoir.
Due to completion opportunities, a possibility to produce
the A6.5/A7 Reservoir was found, Fig. A-10. After few
years, this area was watered out. In the recent Field
Development Plan, B7 Reservoir remained as a potential
for oil production, and well B-9 as the best location. The
position of the well B-9 in the B7 reservoir in conjuction
with the New Infill Well is shown in Fig. A-11.
Fig. A-12 shows the production profile for the well B-9
in B7 Reservoir; a EUR of 0.82 MMstbo is obtained by

SPE 101491

using the numerical simulation model runs. On the other

hand, these perforations in well B-9 will collect more
information for the new infill well to be drilled later. If
the prediction is confirmed, remaining reserves of the
area will be produced and new infill well is no longer
required.
The
production
forecast
and
the
implementation of this recommendation resulted in
savings of 7 MM US$ for infill drilling; also, the risk of
production failure is minimized.
The challenge for producing the B7 reservoir again is the
previous perforation in A6.5/A7 thru-tubing. A straddle
system has been programmed by next year to test the
well.
Conclusions
13% increase in the total oil production within 7
months from the beginning of the project in the
production enhancement opportunities, Fig. A-13.
The new approach identified an additional ultimate
oil recovery of 4.98 MMstb.
The new approach saved 14 MMUS$ by reducing
two new infill wells programmed.
The application of this innovative approach to
brownfields helped identify new opportunities,
which have been a key success factor in
rejuvenating the Betty Field.
New approach is able to optimize the production
enhancement initiatives in a brownfield development
plan (Minimize interference between near by wells,
minimize risk associated)
New approach is capable of minimize uncertainties
for Infill wells by using this data acquired from
production enhancement candidates
Some other opportunities, like gas lift
implementation in a water dumpflooded reservoir,
the impact of acidizing campaigns, Production
Accelaration versus EUR will be studied in the
future.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the management of Petrolian
Nasional Berhad, Petronas Carigali Sdn. Bhd. and
Schlumberger for permission to publish this paper.

References
1. Economides, et al.: Energy Sources and Energy
Intensity for the Twenty-First Century. SPE No.
77736.
2. Kasap, et al. A Systematic Approach to Integrated
Full-Field Reviews for Building Predictive Models

SPE 101491

to Reduce Uncertainty in Reserves and Identifying

Future Potential: Betty Field Case Study. SPE No.
96064.
3. Economides, et al. Petroleum Production Systems,
Second Edition, Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood
Cliffs, NJ (1994) 610.
4. Winkler, Smith. Camco Gas Lift Manual. Eight
Edition, Camco Inc. Oklahoma City, 1977. 289.
5. Babadagli, T. Mature Field Development: A
Review paper SPE 93884 presented at the 2005
Europec/EAGE Annual Conference, Madrid, Spain,
June1315.
6. Friedel, et al. Identifying the Improved Oil
Recovery Potential for a Depleted Reservoir in the
Betty Field, Offshore Malaysia paper SPE 100984
to be presented at 2006 SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas
Conference and Exhibition held in Adelaide,
Australia, 1113 September 2006.

SPE 101491

Betty
Field
New
Approach

Standard Approach

New Approach

Top Structure Map

Top Structure Map

Production Data

Production Data

Log Data

VS

Log Data

Completion Data

Completion Data

Nodal Analysis

Nodal Analysis

Run Numerical Simulation

Available Technology

Available Technology

Final Proposal

Final Proposal

Fig. A-1. Production Enhancement Workflows comparison used in Betty Field.

Input For Numerical Simulation Model

Seismic
Interpretation

Marker &
Facies

Core
Description

Deposition
Environment

STATIC
MODEL

Petrophysic
Interpretation

DYNAMIC
MODEL

Welltest
(PBU)
BHP
(SGS,FGS)

SCAL

PVT
Analysis

Fig. A-2. Numerical Simulation Inputs - Betty Field.

Production
Data

RFT

SPE 101491

UR Incremental
(MMstb)

Oil Rate
Incremental
(Stb/d)

HHP Gas
Incremental
(MMscf/d)

Bean Up

N/A

800

3.0

Additional
Perforation

2.31

1500

10.0

Open Up Idle
Wells

1.60

500

2.0

Commingle

1.20

300

N/A

Total

5.11

3100

15.0

Activities

Table A-1. Activities and Results from Betty Field

Production Enhancement Campaign

B3 Reservoir

C7 Reservoir

Table A-2. Additional Perforation Cases for Well B-3

Fig. A-3. Well B-1 Completion Diagram

Infill

B-3

B-9
BC + Add Perf B-3 (Shut Off)
BC + Add Perf B-3 (No Shut Off)

Base Case (BC)

Fig. A-4. Well B-3 location in Reservoir C1.

Fig. A-5. Well B-3. EUR versus case scenarios

SPE 101491

Infill Well
B-8

B-6

Fig. A-7. Well location in Reservoir A6.5-A7

A3 Reservoir
BC + B-6
+ Infill Well 2008

A6.5 Reservoir

BC + B6
+ Infill Well 2006

A7 Reservoir

Base Case (BC)

Fig. A-6. Well B-6. Completion Diagram

Option

UR
(MMstb)

UR Incremental
(MMstb)

Base Case (BC)

37.06

0.00

1st Infill Well in 2006

38.74

1.68

BC + Add Perf BE-16L

37.94

0.88

BC + Add Perf BE-16L + Infill Well 2006

37.89

0.83

BC + Add Perf BE-16L + Infill Well 2008

38.73

1.67

Table A-3. Well B-6. Estimated Ultimate Recovery

(EUR) for different case scenarios.

Base + B6

Fig. A-8. Well B-6: Impact in EUR for A6.5-A7

Base Case
Add Perf B-6 (Qo=100 bopd)
Add Perf B-6 (Deliverability)
Add Perf B-6 (Qo=500 bopd)

Fig. A-9. Well B-6 and Well B-8 Interaction in terms of

Production Rates for different case scenarios.

SPE 101491

STATUS

MIN I.D.
in

B7

2.813

3.1/2" B-6
NIPPLE

391

BKR-3

2.875

3.1/2" KBUG

1666

BKR-3

3.1/2" KBUG

2786

BKR-3

3.1/2" KBUG

3447

BKR-3

3.1/2" KBUG

3919

3.1/2" X-NIPPLE

3990

NO PLUG

2.750

SHORT STRING

DEPTH
ft.

DEPTH
ft.

x
x

NO PLUG

CLOSED

2.750

3.1/2" X-NIPPLE

8202

2.900

3.1/2" COLLET LATCH

9.5/8" RDH PKR

8234

3.1/2" TEL. SW IVEL JOINT

8244

3.1/2" XO-SSD

8244

2.750

433

BP-6 NIPPLE

2.813

B7

1697

3.1/2" KBUG

2.875

BKR-3

3354

3.1/2" KBUG

4857

3.1/2" KBUG

5020

3.1/2" X-NIPPLE

5766

3.1/2" KBUG

6395

3.1/2" KBUG

8199

3.1/2" XO-SSD

BKR-3

DK-1
2.750

NO PLUG
DK-1
DK-1

2.750

CLOSED

Western
boundary
3D seismic area

PE RFS. L3.0
8 342-8367

A3

8582

OPENED
XN PLUG

Infill Well
(Y7.0)

M IN I.D. STATUS
in

LONG STRING

3.1/2" SAFETY S.P.JT

8616

9.5/8" RDH PKR

3.1/2" SWIVEL JOINT

8617

2.441

3.1/2" x 2.7/8" X-OVER

8627

2.313

2.7/8" XO-SSD

8662

2.205

XN NO-GO

8695

2.750

3.1/2" XO-SSD

CLOSED

Fig. A-11. Well location in Reservoir B7

NEW PERFS. L6.0B/C (10/7/2002)

8641-8669
New PerfsA6.5/A7
NEW PERFS. L6.5A (10/7/2002)
8701-8726

2.7/8" PERF. PUB

P ERF L7.0
8 752-8794

A7

ITCP GUNS

9.5/8" DB PKR

9092

3.1/2" XO-SSD

9128

3.1/2" GBH LOCATOR

2.750

CLOSED

9130

PE RF M7.0
92 57-9294

B7

9.5/8" BRIDGE PLUG

9350

2.441

9135

3.1/2" x 2.7/8" X-OVER

9169

2.7/8" XO-SSD

2.313

CLOSED

9204

2.7/8" XN NO-GO
2.7/8" x 6' PERF SUB

2.205

PXN PLUG
+ PRONG

9211

2.7/8" DROP OF SUB

ITCP GUNS

Designed BY :
DATE : 06/08/01 (MARLINE)

Fig. A-10. Well B-9. Completion Diagram

Base Case + B-9

Base Case + B-9

Base Case
Base Case

Increase UR = 0.82 MMstb

Fig. A-12. Well B-9: Production Rates and impact in EUR for B7 Reservoir

B-9
(Y7.0)

-A
0 6 pr
-A
1 1 pr
-A
1 6 pr
-A
2 1 pr
-A
2 6 pr
-A
0 1 pr
-M
06 ay
-M
11 ay
-M
16 ay
-M
21 ay
-M
26 ay
-M
31 ay
-M
05 ay
-J
1 0 un
-J
1 5 un
-J
2 0 un
-J
2 5 un
-J
3 0 un
-J
u
05 n
-J
10 ul
-J
15 ul
-J
ul

01

Rate (Mstb/d)

10
SPE 101491

Betty Production

20

16

12

8 Before Study
After Study

Gross
Net

Fig. A-13. Betty Field Production after Production Enhancement Campaign