Pilot Trial of HR-PCP Technology for Heavy Oil Reservoir in KOC

Abstract Exploitation of heavy oil fields is a challenging task in Kuwait Oil Company (KOC). Most of these fields require artificial lift to produce optimally. Reliability, operational ease, run-life and steady oil gain, are the key issues, for application of artificial lift, to produce heavy oil. It is our constant endeavor to seek value addition, with regard to these parameters. In view of this, pilot of ‘Hydraulically Regulated PCP’ (HR-PCP) technology, is implemented for heavy oil cold production. Preliminary studies revealed that HR-PCP technology is designed to handle multi-phase flow conditions more efficiently, due to its unique design. Pilot trial is carried out for a representative heavy oil reservoir, having crude oil gravity of 14°API, with top of the perforation at 7819 feet. Objective of the pilot is to evaluate performance of HR-PCP technology, with regard to the heavy oil cold production. Study is based on actual field implementation and does not include any lab studies. The paper, essentially, encompasses various aspects of the pilot such as pilot methodology, technology evaluation, candidate well selection and HR-PCP design as well as details regarding pilot implementation and pilot study results. During the pilot period, relevant pump and well parameters are constantly monitored, with an aim to optimize pump performance. It is concluded from the pilot results that implementation of HR-PCP technology, for this heavy oil reservoir, is proven to be successful in terms of achieving steady oil gain and sustained run-life. Maximum oil rate of 567 b/d and peak MTBR of over 400 days, are achieved during the pilot period. Pilot studies have also prompted us to install HR-PCP technology for other similar wells. Thus, HR-PCP technology emerges, as a viable artificial lift mode for our heavy oil production strategic plan. Results amply demonstrate that the technology can also be applied for other heavy oil reservoirs of similar nature.