--> Abstract: Main Pass 290: Assembling a Successful Thirty Well Redevelopment Program in a Mature Field, Offshore Gulf of Mexico, by J. V. Bikun, D. A. Sharpe, and D. J. Shafer; #90987 (1993).

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BIKUN, JAMES V., DAVID A SHARPE, AND DONALD J. SHAFER, Shell Offshore Inc., New Orleans, LA

ABSTRACT: Main Pass 290: Assembling a Successful Thirty Well Redevelopment Program in a Mature Field, Offshore Gulf of Mexico

After producing 18x10{6} barrels of oil and 31x10{9} cubic feet gas since its initial development in 1969, MP290 was redeveloped in 1990-91. This profitable program added 16x10{6} barrels of oil and 34x10{9} cubic feet gas to the reserves and extended the field life 10 years. MP290 is situated 110 miles southeast of New Orleans in 235 to 460 feet of water along the shelf margin. Most reserves are in Lower Pliocene, hydropressured, delta sands, and are structurally related to a piercement salt dome. The largest reservoirs are downthrown to a regional north dipping fault and a local antithetic fault.

From two platforms, 28 of the original 44 wells developed reservoir sands in a single fault block. A 1983 geologic field appraisal initiated redevelopment. In 1987, a team evaluation of well control, performance data, and 2-D seismic information justified `C" platform construction. Three expendable wells were employed to establish the platform location. Before drilling, a 3-D seismic program was conducted to define better well locations and to investigate deep potential.

A four theme redevelopment program was created by this progression of multi- disciplined reserve identification. Listed in order of relative importance, these themes consisted of: Infill-9 (wells), Waterflood-9, Exploratory-4, and Proximal Salt Dome-8. Reservoir analysis of historical production data identified opportunities for Infill wells and waterflood injection projects. Analysis of 3-D seismic data further refined the development wells and supported exploration tests. These tests targeted stratigraphic traps, undeveloped fault blocks, and a deep Miocene sand. Bright spot analysis detailed these targets.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.