Benton, Alex E.
Benton Oil and Gas Company, Carpinteria, California

Abstract: Use of New Technology in the Reactivation of Old Oil Fields—Successes and Failures

While it is generally true that the use of new technology has resulted in the increased productivity of old oil fields, not all efforts have been equally successful. In some instances, the advanced technique applied focused on and solved a problem that after drilling proved not to be the critical factor. In other cases, new reserves and development opportunities were identified only after the use of technologies that had not been previously available. And still in other instances, success was realized by the combined use of new technologies that solved problems related to imaging the opportunity, drilling, and completion, and fluid treatment and disposal techniques.

Examples are shown from the following three cases:

1. The use of three-dimensional seismic to map sand channels and stratigraphic gas traps in the Forbes formation of the Sacramento basin, California.

2. Combining pre-stack depth migration reprocessing of old three-dimensional seismic data with onshore long-reach offset drilling technology to economically develop new gas reserves from a previously abandoned lease in the environmentally sensitive Santa Barbara Channel.

3. Integrating three-dimensional seismic data, horizontal drilling, modern completion techniques, heavy oil treatment technology, advanced reservoir modeling, and simulation to revive commercial production from old Venezuelan oil fields.

The widespread availability of modern technology has resulted in both spectacular successes and occasional failures. While a specific advanced technique may provide the key to solving a particular problem, it is important not to overlook basic aspects not addressed by the new technology. Only by combining both conventional geologic and engineering analysis together with the application of relevant new technologies can successful commercial results be routinely achieved. 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90929©1998-1999 AAPG Distinguished Lecturers