--> Abstract: Takula, Block 0 — Tackling the Big Red Elephant: The Upper Vermelha, by David B. Rains, Wes Combs, Ray Clark, Gerry Schmit, Aldo Ortiz, and Paulo Bernardo; #90082 (2008)

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Takula, Block 0 — Tackling the Big Red Elephant: The Upper Vermelha

David B. Rains1, Wes Combs2, Ray Clark1, Gerry Schmit1, Aldo Ortiz1, and Paulo Bernardo2
1Chevron, Houston, TX
2Chevron, Luanda, Angola

The Takula field is located in Block 0, offshore of the Cabinda province of Angola. Takula contains seven stacked reservoirs with the most prolific Upper Vermelha reservoir having an OOIP of 2,200 MMSTBO. The Upper Vermelha was discovered in 1980 and came on production in 1982; and to date is the largest Angolan field. In late 1990, a peripheral waterflood was initiated and currently, the Takula Upper Vermelha is producing 53,000 BOPD and 58,000 BWPD from 55 active producers, and the 26 active injectors are injecting 225,000 BWPD.

The Takula Upper Vermelha has recently been the subject of a reservoir characterization and modeling project. This project coupled with new parasequence based surveillance has generated a rich series of prospects in a mature waterflood. Specifically, the current So maps, current reservoir pressure maps, and earth model are yielding four new play types within the Upper Vermelha: Isolated Fault Blocks, Bypassed oil, Vertical segregation of the hydrocarbons, and extensive oil saturation in tighter parasequences.
In addition to the new play types, new reservoir management opportunities have been identified. These opportunities include, dynamic mapping techniques using Petra, field pilots such as relative permeability modifiers, pressure transient analysis, and components of intelligent well technology. The asset team is currently evaluating the performance of ESP’s and permanent downhole pressure gauges which will allow further optimization of key areas of the field and improve surveillance of these complex reservoirs. The integration of new technologies and ideas is being utilized to revitalize the production decline seen in this mature waterflood.

AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa 2008 © AAPG Search and Discovery