CHAPTER THREE

major components of oilfield surface facility oil/gas separators, stock tanks,

pumps and compressors.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF OILFIELD SURFACE FACILITY?

HERE ARE THE MAJOR OILFIELD COMPONENTS

1: oil/gas separators,

2: stock tanks,

3: pumps and

4: compressors.

1: Oil/gas separators:

Oil/gas separators are used to separate oil and gas from the well stream. They can be horizontal,
vertical, or spherical, and they use a variety of methods to separate the two phases, including gravity,
centrifugal force, and filtration.

2: Stock tanks:

Stock tanks are used to store oil and gas before it is transported to a refinery or processing plant. They
are typically cylindrical tanks made of steel or concrete, and they can range in size from a few hundred
barrels to several thousand barrels.

3: Pumps:

Pumps are used to move oil and gas through the surface facility and from the surface facility to the
refinery or processing plant. There are a variety of types of pumps used in oilfield surface facilities,
including centrifugal pumps, reciprocating pumps, and positive displacement pumps.

4: Compressors:

Compressors are used to increase the pressure of gas. This is necessary for transporting gas to the
refinery or processing plant and for injecting gas back into the reservoir for enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
There are a variety of types of compressors used in oilfield surface facilities, including centrifugal
compressors, reciprocating compressors, and screw compressors.

In addition to these major components, oilfield surface facilities may also include a variety of other
equipment, such as:

Heaters: Heaters are used to increase the temperature of oil and gas. This can improve the flowability of
oil and reduce the viscosity of gas.

Treaters: Treaters are used to remove impurities from oil and gas. This can include water, salt, and other
contaminants.

Meters: Meters are used to measure the flow rate and volume of oil and gas. This information is used to
track production and to calculate royalties.

Control systems: Control systems are used to automate the operation of the surface facility and to
ensure that it operates safely and efficiently

Identify onshore and offshore development facilities

Onshore development facilities

Well pads: Well pads are where oil and gas wells are drilled and completed. They typically include a
drilling rig, a wellhead, and a variety of other equipment.

Gathering systems: Gathering systems collect the oil and gas produced from individual wells and
transport it to a central processing facility. Gathering systems can include pipelines, pumps, and
compressors.

Processing facilities: Processing facilities separate the oil and gas from the well stream and remove
impurities such as water, salt, and sulfur. Processing facilities can also include heaters, treaters, and
meters.

Storage tanks: Storage tanks are used to store oil and gas before it is transported to a refinery or
processing plant.

Pipelines: Pipelines are used to transport oil and gas from the well site to the refinery or processing
plant.

Offshore development facilities

Platforms: Platforms are structures that are anchored to the seabed and provide a base for drilling and
producing oil and gas wells. Platforms can be fixed or floating.
Subsea facilities: Subsea facilities are located on the seabed and are used to produce oil and gas from
wells that have been drilled from a platform or from onshore. Subsea facilities can include wellheads,
manifolds, and pipelines.

Floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels: FPSO vessels are ships that are used to
process, store, and offload oil and gas produced from offshore wells.

Pipelines: Pipelines are used to transport oil and gas from offshore platforms and FPSO vessels to
onshore processing facilities.

In addition to the facilities listed above, both onshore and offshore development projects may also
include a variety of other facilities, such as:

Support facilities: Support facilities may include offices, warehouses, and workshops.

Environmental protection facilities: Environmental protection facilities may include wastewater

treatment plants, air pollution control equipment, and oil spill response equipment.

the essential challenges associated in production.

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL CHALLENGED ASSOCIATED IN PRODUCTION ?

The essential challenges associated in production of petroleum can be divided into two categories:
technical and non-technical.

Technical challenges
Finding and evaluating petroleum reservoirs: Petroleum reservoirs are often located deep underground
and can be difficult to find and evaluate. This requires advanced geological and geophysical techniques.

Drilling and completing wells: Drilling and completing wells to reach petroleum reservoirs can be
expensive and challenging, especially in offshore or remote environments. This requires specialized
equipment and expertise.

Producing petroleum: Producing petroleum from reservoirs can be challenging due to a variety of
factors, including reservoir pressure, fluid properties, and formation characteristics. This requires careful
management and optimization of production operations.

Managing and disposing of produced water: Produced water is a by product of petroleum production
and must be managed and disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. This can be
challenging due to the large volumes of produced water generated and the potential for environmental
contamination.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: The petroleum industry is a major emitter of greenhouse gases,
and it faces the challenge of reducing its emissions while still meeting global energy demand. This
requires the development and deployment of new technologies and practices.

Non-technical challenges
Obtaining permits and approvals: Petroleum companies must obtain a variety of permits and approvals
from government agencies before they can begin exploration, development, and production activities.
This can be a time-consuming and complex process.

Managing community relations: Petroleum development can have a significant impact on local
communities, and it is important for companies to manage these relationships effectively. This requires
open and transparent communication, and a commitment to social responsibility.

Addressing environmental risks: Petroleum production can pose a number of environmental risks, such
as oil spills and air pollution. Companies must take steps to mitigate these risks and minimize their
impact on the environment. This requires comprehensive environmental management systems and
contingency plans.

Maintaining public support: The petroleum industry faces the challenge of maintaining public support in
the face of concerns about climate change and environmental pollution. This requires the industry to be
transparent and accountable, and to work with stakeholders to develop solutions to these challenges.

Plan integrated petroleum field development

The goal of integrated field development is to maximize the economic recovery of oil and gas from a
reservoir while minimizing environmental impact.

The following is a general overview of the steps involved in planning integrated petroleum field
development:

Data collection and analysis: The first step is to collect and analyze all available data about the
reservoir, including geological data, geophysical data, and production data. This data is used to develop
a detailed understanding of the reservoir's characteristics, including its size, shape, depth, and fluid
properties.

Reservoir modeling: Once a detailed understanding of the reservoir has been developed, a reservoir
model is created. A reservoir model is a mathematical representation of the reservoir that can be used
to simulate fluid flow and predict production performance.

Development planning: Once the reservoir model has been calibrated and validated, it can be used to
develop a development plan. The development plan should include a well placement strategy, a
production strategy, and a facilities plan.
Implementation and execution: The final step is to implement and execute the development plan. This
includes drilling and completing wells, constructing and operating facilities, and managing production
operations.

Here are some specific considerations for planning integrated petroleum field development:

Reservoir characteristics: The type of reservoir, its size, shape, depth, and fluid properties will all impact
the development plan. For example, a fractured reservoir will require a different development plan than
a conventional reservoir.

Production targets: The desired production targets will also impact the development plan. For example,
if the goal is to maximize production in the short term, a different development plan will be needed than
if the goal is to maximize long-term recovery.

Economic factors: The cost of developing and operating the field must be balanced against the expected
revenue from production. This includes the cost of drilling and completing wells, constructing and
operating facilities, and managing production operations.

Environmental impact: The environmental impact of the development plan must be minimized. This
includes considerations such as air and water emissions, noise pollution, and waste disposal.

Well field decision making by different field development

mechanisms.
Well field decision making in petroleum field development is the process of selecting the optimal well
placement, well type, and well completion strategy to maximize the recovery of oil and gas from a
reservoir.

The field development mechanism that is selected will have a significant impact on the well field
decision process. The following is a brief overview of the well field decision making process for different
field development mechanisms:

Primary Recovery

Primary recovery relies on the natural pressure of the reservoir to drive the oil and gas to the wellbore.
This is the simplest and least expensive field development mechanism, but it typically results in the
lowest recovery factor.

Well placement: Primary recovery typically involves drilling wells on a grid pattern. The distance
between wells is determined by the reservoir characteristics and the desired production rate.

Well type: Vertical wells are typically used for primary recovery. Horizontal wells may be used in some
cases to improve the recovery factor from thin or heterogeneous reservoirs
Well completion: Open hole completions are often used for primary recovery. Cased and perforated
completions may be used in some cases to improve well longevity or to produce from multiple zones.

Secondary Recovery

Secondary recovery involves injecting water or gas into the reservoir to increase the pressure and drive
the oil and gas to the wellbore. This field development mechanism typically results in a higher recovery
factor than primary recovery, but it is also more expensive.

Well placement: Secondary recovery typically involves drilling wells on a pattern that is designed to
maximize the sweep efficiency of the injected fluid. This may involve placing wells in a staggered pattern
or in a line drive pattern.

Well type: Horizontal and multilateral wells are often used for secondary recovery to improve the sweep
efficiency of the injected fluid.

Well completion: Cased and perforated completions are typically used for secondary recovery to
improve well longevity and to allow for selective injection and production from multiple zones.

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)

EOR involves using more advanced techniques, such as thermal recovery or chemical flooding, to
increase the recovery of oil and gas from a reservoir. These techniques can be very effective at
increasing the recovery factor, but they are also the most expensive and complex field development
mechanisms.

Well placement: EOR typically involves drilling wells on a pattern that is designed to maximize the
sweep efficiency of the injected fluid and to optimize the heat transfer or chemical reaction. This may
involve placing wells in a five-spot pattern or in a seven-spot pattern.

Well type: Horizontal and multilateral wells are often used for EOR to improve the sweep efficiency of
the injected fluid

Well completion: Cased and perforated completions are typically used for EOR to allow for selective
injection and production from multiple zones and to protect the wells from the harsh conditions that are
often associated with EOR techniques

The goal of integrated well field development is to maximize the recovery of oil and gas from a reservoir
while minimizing environmental impact and economic costs.

Identify main decommissioning techniques, well abandonment

mechanisms and challenges associated.
Decommissioning is the process of permanently retiring an oil and gas facility or well. The main
decommissioning techniques can be divided into two categories:
Topside decommissioning: This involves the removal of all surface facilities, such as platforms,
processing plants, and pipelines.

Well abandonment: This involves the permanent sealing of wells to prevent the release of hydrocarbons
or fluids into the environment.

Well abandonment mechanisms

Well abandonment typically involves the following steps:

Well killing: This involves killing the well by injecting heavy fluids or cement into the wellbore.

Plug and abandonment (P&A): This involves placing cement plugs in the wellbore to isolate the
reservoir from the surface.

Cutting and capping: This involves cutting the wellhead and capping the wellbore.

Challenges associated with decommissioning

Decommissioning is a complex and challenging process.

The main challenges associated with decommissioning include:

Cost: Decommissioning can be very expensive, especially for offshore facilities.

Safety: Decommissioning activities can be dangerous, and it is important to take steps to protect
workers and the environment.

Environmental impact: Decommissioning can have a negative impact on the environment, and it is
important to minimize this impact

Additional challenges

In addition to the main challenges listed above, decommissioning can also be challenging due to the
following factors:

Remote location: Many oil and gas facilities are located in remote or hostile environments, which can
make decommissioning more difficult and expensive.

Aging infrastructure: Many oil and gas facilities are aging, which can make them more difficult and
dangerous to decommission.
Complex regulations: Decommissioning is subject to a variety of complex regulations, which can make it
difficult and time-consuming to obtain the necessary permits and approvals.

END