June 2015

CAPABILITIES IN IOR
IMPROVED OIL RECOVERY
 CONTENTS

Introduction 3
Definitions 3
Potential 4
Success Stories 4
IOR Approach 5
Reservoir Modelling and Planning 6
Data Acquisition and Processing 8
Chemical flooding 10
Drilling 12
Well Technology 14
Subsea Solutions 16
Topside Modification 18
Water Management 20
Integrated Operations 22
INTSOK Partners’ IOR Deliverables 24
INTSOK Partners’ web addresses 26

All images frontpage; Source: Statoil

2
INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this catalogue is to identify and highlight INTSOK partner companies that
deliver technology or services representing potential contributions to IOR, and the relation
between different types of contributions.

The approach to IOR is presented from the perspective of an operating oil company that will
analyse all options for optimising the field performance. In this situation, the operator must screen
a large number of options within the categories of for instance chemical flooding, drilling, well
technology, water management and others described in this catalogue.

Each option will be evaluated within a model or planning tool with its potential evaluated and
compared with that of other methods. The dynamic simulation model and planning tool are at
the centre of the process. This model is built on data acquired from the field and supplemented
with specialised simulation tools.

INTSOK partners supply equipment and services within all technical disciplines related to IOR.

DEFINITIONS:
Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) is the planning and execution of measures intended to increase
or accelerate oil recovery from a hydrocarbon field in a profitable manner compared to
current plans with corresponding forecasts.
(Norwegian Petroleum Directorate)

Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) is any of various methods, chiefly reservoir drive mechanisms
and enhanced recovery techniques, designed to improve the flow of hydrocarbons from the
reservoir to the wellbore or to recover more oil after the primary and secondary methods
(water and gas floods) are uneconomic.

(Society of Petroleum Engineers)

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is a term normally used for the advanced chemical recovery
processes, which can be part of an IOR project.

INTSOK uses the term IOR for all measures which can increase or accelerate the oil recovery
of a field. Emphasis is placed on measures based on information gathered during production,
and on measures based on advanced technology.

INTSOK partners supply equipment and services within all technical disciplines related to IOR.
The companies are listed in groups supplying technology of a similar character or purpose.
However, so many of the partners represent unique technology, so classification is not
straight forward.

In classifying contributions to IOR, almost anything could be argued to have a direct or indirect effect
on oil recovery. It has been necessary to limit the contributions mentioned to those directly affecting
the oil stream. Particularly dealing with topside facilities, there are a number of measures which only
indirectly affect the recovery, and in this publication these are mentioned in general terms.

3
 POTENTIAL &
SUCCESS STORIES

The expected oil recovery factor worldwide is less than 30%, and for the Norwegian Continen-
tal Shelf the average number is still lower than the target of 50%.

Over the years, Norwegian technology and expertise has been developed and has made it possi-
ble to increase the expected recovery factor on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
For a typical field, most of the oil is expected to remain in the ground after cessation. The illus-
tration below shows this for the fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Approx mately half of
the oil expected to be remaining in the ground after planned cessation is considered potentially
mobile by IOR methods. The challenge is to select and optimise methods, assess risks and
implement measures in a profitable manner.

800
Remaining resources at planned cessation according to approved plans
600 Remaining oil reserves
Produced oil per 31.12.2013
400
Mill. Sm³ oil

200

0
Troll

Valhall

Edvard Grieg
Snorre

Heidrun

Oseberg

Gullfaks

Oseberg Sør

Balder

Grane

Gullfaks Sør

Njord

Ula

Brage

Tor

Goliat

Vigdis

Hod

Alvheim

Draugen

Norne

Veslefrikk
-200

-400

-600
Distribution of oil resources and oil reserves in fi elds (Source: The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate)

There are examples of fields where the ultimate expected recovery factor has been doubled
by the implementation of IOR measures.

In some larger fields, like Gullfaks and Statfjord, from the beginning the recovery factor was
already estimated at 40% based on gas or water injection from production start.
Building on information gathered from the pro duction phase, and a rapidly developing tech-
nology, the expected ultimate recovery increased in steps to the current expectation of approx-
imately 70% for both fields. This would not have been possible unless additional investments
had been made in dedicated IOR activities. The most important measures for these two fields
were advanced wells, well intervention, 4D seismic, produced water management and topside
modifications, all implemented or improved after production start.

4
IOR APPROACH

EXPECTED ULTIMATE RECOVERY FACTORS

1986 1996 2004 Current ambition
Statfjord 49% 61% 68% 70%

Gullfaks 46% 49% 60% 68%

Illustration: Statoil

An IOR project must go through a multistep process to obtain the optimal result.

The IOR approach is a screening process where different relevant technologies and combina-
tions of these are tested in the model and planning tool for suitability. Methods may compete
for extracting the same oil volume with different profitability or risk.

The operating oil company with its reservoir management and its planning model is at the
center of this process. Complimentary expertise and specialised simulation models will address
special issues. All models are based on data acquired from the field.

Illustration: INTSOK

5
 RESERVOIR MODELLING
AND PLANNING

Reservoir models are numeric representations of the reservoir in three dimensions with its
physical properties represented. For the purpose of recovery planning dynamic models are
used to simulate the flow in the reservoir towards the production wells.

Reservoir models are huge and require advanced numeric tools and considerable numeric
capacity. The simulation tools are essential for planning recovery in general, and specialised
models are developed for several of the IOR methods. The full field, regional or sector simulation
and planning are the basis for optimised recovery. Any IOR project will represent some degree
of risk. A planning tool including risk evaluation can be connected to the simu lation model or be
operated as a separate tool.

The operating oil company is in charge of the modelling and planning, which is the ultimate core
responsibility of the operator. However, in many cases the operator will be assisted by additional
manpower and expertise from contractors in this process.

Illustration: IFE

6
INTSOK PARTNER DELIVERABLES
RESERVOIR SIMULATION AND RECOVERY PLANNING

• AGR: Analysing IOR potential

• IFE: Reservoir and tracer simulation tool
• IRIS: Field studies and special simulation tools and services
• Roxar Software Solutions: Reservoir interpretation, modelling and uncertainty. Reservoir
simulation and history matching
• SINTEF Petroleum Research: Full field and specialized models and simulation services

RISK ASSESSMENT AND DECISION MODELS

• AGR: Risk assessments

• IRIS: Risk assessment models

7
 DATA ACQUISITION
AND PROCESSING

Data acquisition is imperative for any field development, operation or IOR project.

In the context of IOR, the issue is to map the remaining oil and find where it is located and which
mechanisms keep it there. In many cases, the issue is to discover unswept volumes. In other cases,
detailed geological data and fluid information is essential for selecting the best IOR method.

An IOR project will often require full field or regional data gathering, processing and analysis.
Regional and small scale data must be visualised and fed into reservoir models.

An incredible variety of data acquisition methods are represented in the INTSOK partnership
group. The selection comprises everything from full field survey methods to detailed in situ or
lab measurements.

The data acquisition methods and INTSOK partner deliverables are grouped as follows:

• Seismic and electromagnetic surveys

• Tracer data
• Geo- and fluid lab data and processing
• Subsea and topside monitoring
• Downhole monitoring

Illustration: IRIS

8
INTSOK PARTNER DELIVERABLES
SEISMIC AND OTHER FULL FIELD SURVEYS AND INTERPRETATION

• EMGS: Electromagnetic surveys and processing

• Kongsberg Oil & Gas: Visualisation of reservoir and geophysical data
• NORSAR Innovation: Seismic modelling and rock physics modelling
• OCTIO: Acquisition and processing seismic data
• Quad Geometrics: Microgravity surveys
• READ: Downhole Seismic Acquisition and Processing (VSP), Permanent Seismic Downhole
Monitoring (PSM)
• ScanSeis Consulting: Reservoir mapping

TRACER DATA

• RESMAN: Downhole fluid flow measurements

• Restrack: Reservoir modelling using tracer technologies
• IFE: Tracers mapping reservoir dynamics – ideal, partitioning and natural tracers, injection
services and analysis. Monitoring chemical flooding.

GEO AND FLUID LAB DATA AND PROCESSING

• IFE: Stable isotope data and biomarkers

• IRIS: General multifunction petroleum lab
• SINTEF Petroleum Research: Fluid lab

SUBSEA AND TOPSIDE MONITORING

• Abbon: Multiphase flow measurements

• ClampOn: Sand detection
• FMC/MPM: Subsea and topside multiphase & wet gas measurement
• ProAnalysis: Oil in water online monitors
• Roxar Software Solutions: Sub sea PT and multiphase monitoring

DOWNHOLE MONITORING

• READ: Multiple types Cased hole data acquisition and processing

• RESMAN: Tracers for monitoring well inflow performance
• Roxar Software Solutions: Permanent PT Downhole Monitoring System (PDMS)

9
 CHEMICAL FLOODING

Flooding with water or natural gas are conventional methods today. Chemical additions to the
water or alternative gas mixes can however be tailored to each reservoir, and potentially improve
sweep efficiencies incredibly by increasing volumetric sweep and/or microscopic mobility.

These methods may work on a macro scale by changing mobility or the gravity of the injection
fluid for example polymer flooding, CO2-injection or Foam Assisted WAG. Other methods have a
microscopic effect on oil trapped in pores for example Surfactant flooding and Microbial EOR.

Chemical flooding methods are often named Enhanced Oil Recovery. The INTSOK partners’
deliverables to this technology are typically within long-term dedicated research. However, they
are also in the form of specialised simulation and planning tools which can model the use of a
particular method in the reservoir in question.

Among the known chemical flooding methods are:

Advanced flooding: Conventional methods:

• Polymer flooding • Pressure depletion

• Surfactant flooding • Water injection
• Gel treatment • Injection of natural gas
• CO2 injection
• N2 injection
• Water Alternating Gas (WAG)
• Foam Assisted WAG (FAWAG)
• Microbial EOR (MEOR)
• Steam injection
• Steam soak

Illustration: Statoil

10
INTSOK PARTNER DELIVERABLES
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

• AGR: Assess potential and decision basis for IOR projects

• IFE: Broad petroleum research within recovery mechanisms and tracers for EOR operations
• IRIS: Broad petroleum research within reservoir technology, IOR and drilling
• NTNU: Broad petroleum research
• SINTEF Petroleum Research: Broad Petroleum Research - WAG, FAWAG, polymers, surfactants,
foam, CO2 sequestration, fluid flow in porous media

11
 DRILLING

New technology enables a number of advanced drilling approaches. These reach from
sophisticated, tailor-made well geometries to facilitated long reach, optimised horizontal pro-
duction zones, multibranch wells as well as cost-effective methods for re-drilling old wells.

Infill drilling has been considered for a long time to be one of the most important methods for
increasing oil recovery.

Within the INTSOK partnership a variety of deliverables can be found stretching from well planning
tools, through well equipment and patented methods and to rigs and light well intervention facilities.

Options for improving recovery:

• Conventional wells
• Horizontal wells
• Multilateral wells
• TTRD wells (Through Tubing Rotary Drilling)
• Extended reach drilling

Illustration: Statoil

12
INTSOK PARTNER DELIVERABLES
WELL DESIGN AND PLANNING

• add wellflow: Well planning consultancy

• AGR: Well planning, operations geosteering
• Completion Services: World leading completion drawing tool
• eDrilling Solutions: Desicion support for drilling inspection
• Exprosoft: Well integrity database and well risk management
• IRIS: Research and verification of well design and downhole equipment
• Petrolink: Well control and engineering
• SINTEF Petroleum Research: Support for well design, planning and real-time analysis
• Target Intervention: Well fracking

DRILLING TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

• Enhanced Drilling: Managed pressure drilling and riserless mud recovery (RMR)
• Geomec Engineering: Improved wellbore stability and mud loss management
• IRIS: Drilltronics
• NeoDrill: Conductor anchor node
• West Group: New generation drilling rigs for land and offshore, milling tools

OTHER DRILLING AND WELL INTERVENTION METHODS

• FMC Technologies: Riserless Well Intervention (RLWI)

• Odfjell Drilling: Snubbing
• Sekal: Drilling Management

RIGS AND DRILLING SERVICE

• AGR: Drilling management

• Dwellop: Drilling units
• Odfjell Drilling

13
 WELL TECHNOLOGY

The interior design of a well is of utmost importance for its performance, and will, together
with reservoir characteristics and flooding pattern, determine the time of breakthrough of gas
and water as well as the acceleration of water cut and the efficiency of multiphase flow.

Today, wells should be flexible in order to take future operations into consideration. So-called smart
wells have a built-in flexibility to change production zones and other features. In a low pressure
situation artificial lift may be needed. INTSOK partners are able to provide the essential planning
simulation models for optimised well performance as well as the downhole equipment needed, and
for artificial lift as well. Even downhole separation, an emerging technology, is now available.

Options for improving recovery:

• Smart wells
• Chemical treatments
• Downhole separation and injection
• Downhole pumping and compression
• Artificial lift

Illustration: Statoil

14
INTSOK PARTNER DELIVERABLES
WELL DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE

• IFE: Olga Rocx, well and near-well multiphase simulations

• IRIS: Research and verification of well design and downhole equipment
• Geomec Engineering: Sand management, flooding profile optimisation
• Kongsberg Oil & Gas: LedaFlow, dynamic multiphase simulations, flow assurance
• SINTEF Petroleum Research: Support for well design, planning and real-time analysis, fracturing
and filtercake topics

WELL EQUIPMENT

• Enhanced Drilling: Canseal, zone isolation tool

• Fishbones: Fishbone Needles-open hole liner completion for well stimulation
• Interwell: Completion equipment and Well services
• i-TEC: Equipment for smart wells
• PTC: Gas lift products, chemical injection equipment and packers
• Qinterra Technologies: Well intervention tools
• READ: Hydraulic expandable well systems, different kinds
• RESMAN: Downhole inflow monitoring
• Restrack: Tracer technologies
• Roxar Software Solutions: Downhole monitoring systems
• WellCem: Downhole supercement
• West Group: Flow assurance in tubulars

15
 SUBSEA SOLUTIONS

As field developments are performed at increasing water depths, subsea solutions have
become conventional development concepts. Equipment which utterly improves the perfor-
mance of subsea developments is highlighted in this context of IOR.

The possibility of separating liquids and gas subsea enables the improvement of the operation
and thereby the recovery. Likewise pumping and compression subsea can be used to increase
production. INTSOK partners clearly have a dominant position in these supplies which comprise
subsea separation, pumping, compression as well as power supply.

Options for improving recovery:

• Subsea separation
• Subsea pumping and compression
• Subsea power supply

Illustration: FMC Technologies

16
INTSOK PARTNER DELIVERABLES
SEPARATION

• Fjord Processing: Processing solutions

• FMC Technologies: Subsea separators and solutions

PUMPING AND COMPRESSION

• Aker Solutions: Multiphase pumping and compression solutions

• FMC Technologies: Multiphase pumping and compression solutions
• OneSubsea (A Cameron/Schlumberger company): Multiphase pumping and compression solutions
• PG Pump Solutions: Multiphase pumps
• Seabox: Subsea seawater injection
• Siemens Oil and Gas Offshore: Wet gas compressor

SUBSEA POWER SUPPLY

• ABB: Power supply

• Nexans: Power supply
• Siemens Oil and Gas Offshore: Power supply

17
 TOPSIDE MODIFICATION

In many IOR projects, improvement of the surface facilities is essential.

These modifications may be an IOR measure by themselves, for instance by enabling low pressure
manifolds or separators, or by reducing any kind of bottleneck in one or more of the process sys-
tems. More commonly, modifications of surface facilities are a supplement to or a part of another
IOR measure. Examples include storage and pumping for chemicals, and modifications in flow lines.

Any modification will be assessed in simulation models for the entire fluid flow of the facilities
in order to optimise a cost-efficient solution. Simplification and de-bottlenecking the platform
process can be measures for improving recovery in themselves, affecting large parts of the
process. Optimising in order to reduce down-time on the platform increases production and is
related to integrated operations.

The topside modifications could involve any part of the facilities and in the context of IOR the
number of contributors has been limited to the ones who have very new technology within inline
separation and to the process simulation service providers.

Photo: Øyvind Hagen/Statoil

18
INTSOK PARTNER DELIVERABLES
INLINE SEPARATION

• FMC Technologies: Inline separation cyclone based (CDS)

PROCESS SIMULATION

• ABB: Process simulation and control systems

• AGR: Process simulation
• Aker Solutions: Process simulation
• FMC Technologies: Process simulation
• IFE: Process simulation
• Kongsberg Oil & Gas: Process simulation and control systems, lifecycle simulation,
online and enterprise simulation
• Petrolink: Process simulation and flow assurance
• Siemens Oil and Gas Offshore: Process simulation and control systems
• SINTEF Petroleum Research: Process simulation, flow assurance

19
 WATER MANAGEMENT

Water production can be a limiting factor in a mature operation, where water management
can then become an issue.

There are three major topics to be focused on in this area. Whenever possible, water production
should be limited at the source, whether it is downhole or subsea. Water produced to the plat-
form must be treated, cleaned and in some cases re-injected.

The operator will be in charge of the overall water management. INTSOK partners provide
consultancy for water management analysis, planning and the implementation of measures. In
addition, sophisticated produced water treatment is offered.

The ultimate water management of limiting water from the source is to utilise the well technology
techniques, which are highlighted elsewhere in this booklet.

Options for improving recovery:

• Isolate water production zones

• Intelligent completions
• Downhole separation and reinjection
• Produced water treatment

Illustration: Statoil

20
INTSOK PARTNER DELIVERABLES
WATER MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY

• AGR: Design water injection projects for IOR

• Fjord Processing: Water management
• Geomec Engineering: Consultancy for water injection regarding rock mechanics

PRODUCED WATER TREATMENT

• Fjord Processing: Cyclonic separation (CySep)

• Siemens Oil and Gas Offshore: Produced water treatment
• Wärtsilä: Vessel Internal Electrostatic Coalescer (VIEC)

21
 INTEGRATED OPERATIONS

“Integrated Operations” determines technology and processes which allow an efficient

utilisation of real-time data from the production process and wells in order to control
and optimise the production.

Since the first fields went on stream, operators have collected data, analysed it and adjusted
the production parameters for more efficient recovery. During the last ten years, technology has
been developed which enable real-time data direct processing of a number of integrated data
types, and automatic feedback to control systems.

Integrated Operations has become an essential tool for efficient operation and high recovery.
The term not only comprises the highly technical elements of data gathering, transfer, analysis
and feedback, but also to a large extent sophisticated visualisation, work processes and the
design of control rooms. The IO systems facilitate the cooperation between groups of highly
skilled personnel through visualisation tools and work environment.

From wells, process and drilling separately data will be acquired continously, evaluations are made
and the control parameters are adjusted. During production operations, data from wells and process
are integrated and the analysys of the combination results in optimisation of the operating parame-
ters of the two. The effect on down-time and performance of wells and process can be immense.

22
INTSOK PARTNER DELIVERABLES
SUPPLIERS OF INTEGRATION SOLUTIONS

• ABB: Complete IO systems, data gathering, transfer, processing and control systems
• AGR: Well planning and delivery process. Optimising field operations
• Aker Solutions: Data gathering, transfer and processing
• eDrilling: Integrated drilling simulator
• EPSIS: Integrated operations software
• FMC Technologies: Flow management – production optimisation, software and control systems
• Honeywell: Integrated operations software
• IFE: Integrated work processes analysis, software and consultancy. Tracer based process
diagnosis and control
• IRIS: Complete IO drilling systems
• Kongsberg Oil & Gas: Complete IO systems, data gathering, transfer, processing, visualisation
and control systems. Collaboration facilities and work processdesign
• Petrolink: Complete IO systems with collabortaion models, work process, communication
systems and personnel assistance
• Petrostreamz: Software integration
• Roxar Software Solutions: IO systems reservoir performance
• Siemens Oil and Gas Offshore: Complete IO systems, data gathering, transfer, processing
and control systems
• Tampnet: Fiber-net communication

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INTEGRATED OPERATIONS

• DNV GL: Development of standards for data representation to facilitate communication in

the IO chain
• NTNU: Center for Integrated Operations in the Petroleum industry. Partnership for develop-
ment of IO technology

23
24
Drilling
Modelling

Data Aquisition

Well Technology

Subsea Solutions
Chemical Flooding

Water Management

Integrated Operations
Topside Modifications
ABB
Abbon
add wellflow
AGR
Aker Solutions
ClampOn
Completion Services
DNV GL
Dwellop
eDrilling Solutions
EMGS
Enhanced Drilling
INTSOK PARTNERS’
IOR DELIVERABLES

EPSIS
Exprosoft
Fishbones
Fjord Processing
FMC Technologies
Geomec Engineering
Honeywell
IFE
Interwell
 Drilling
Modelling

Data Aquisition

Well Technology

Subsea Solutions
Chemical Flooding

Water Management

Integrated Operations
Topside Modifications
i-TEC
IRIS
Kongsberg Oil & Gas
Nexans
NeoDrill
NORSAR Innovation
NTNU
OCTIO
Odfjell Drilling
One Subsea (A Cameron/Schlumberger company)
Petrolink
Petrostreamz
PG Pump Solutions
ProAnalysis
PTC
Qinterra Technologies
Quad Geometrics
READ
RESMAN
Restrack
Roxar Software Solutions

25
 SINTEF Petroleum Research
Siemens Oil & Gas Offshore
ScanSeis Consulting

Target Intervention

West Group
Tampnet

WellCem

Wärtsilä
Seabox
Sekal

Modelling

Data Aquisition

Chemical Flooding

Drilling

Well Technology

Subsea Solutions

Topside Modifications

Water Management

Integrated Operations

26
 INTSOK PARTNERS’
WEB ADDRESSES

ABB www.abb.no
Abbon www.abbon.com
add wellflow www.addenergy.no
AGR www.agr.com
Aker Solutions www.akersolutions.com
ClampOn www.clampon.com
Completion Services www.csd.as
DNV GL www.dnv.no
Dwellop www.dwellop.no
eDrilling Solutions www.edrillingsolutions.com
EMGS www.emgs.com
Enhanced Drilling www.enhanced-drilling.com
EPSIS www.epsis.no
Exprosoft www.exprosoft.com
Fishbones www.fishbones.no
Fjord Processing www.fjordsprocessing.com
FMC Technologies www.fmctechnologies.com
Geomec Engineering www.geomec.com
Honeywell www.honeywell.com
IFE www.ife.no
Interwell www.interwell.com
i-TEC www.i-tec.no
IRIS www.iris.no
Kongsberg Oil & Gas www.kongsberg.com
Nexans www.nexans.com
NeoDrill www.neodrill.no

27
 NORSAR Innovation www.norsar.no
NTNU www.petroleum.ntnu.no
OCTIO www.octio.com
Odfjell Drilling www.odfjelldrilling.com
OneSubsea (A Cameron/Schlumberger company) www.onesubsea.com
Petrolink www.petrolink.no
Petrostreamz www.petrostreamz.com
PG Pump Solutions www.pergjerdrum.no
ProAnalysis www.proanalysis.no
PTC www.ptc.as
Qinterra Technologies www.qinterra.com
Quad Geometrics www.quadgeo.com
READ www.readgroup.com
RESMAN www.resman.no
Restrack www.restrack.no
Roxar Software Solutions www.roxar.com
ScanSeis Consulting www.scanseis.no
Seabox www.sea-box.no
Sekal www.sekal.com
Siemens Oil & Gas Offshore www.siemens.com/oil-gas
SINTEF Petroleum Research www.iku.sintef.no
Tampnet www.tampnet.com
Target Intervention www.targetintervention.no
WellCem www.wellcem.no
West Group www.westgroup.no/home
Wärtsilä www.wartsila.com

Image backpage; Source: Statoil

28
PROMOTING NORWEGIAN OIL
AND GAS CAPABILITIES IN
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

INTSOK, Oslo INTSOK, Stavanger INTSOK, Bergen

Hoffsveien 23, Prof. Olav Hanssensvei 7a Godvikveien 58
P.O. Box 631 Skøyen P.O. Box 8034 NO-5179 Godvik
NO-0214 Oslo NO-4068 Stavanger Norway
Norway Norway Phone: +47 90 56 03 35
Phone: +47 22 06 14 80 Phone: +47 51 87 48 80

INTSOK@INTSOK.COM
WWW.INTSOK.COM