--> Subsurface to Surface Collaborative Planning: Subsurface Uncertainty Requires Flexible Facilities Design

AAPG Middle East Region GTW, Maximizing Asset Value: Integrating Geoscience with Reservoir Management & Facilities Optimization

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Subsurface to Surface Collaborative Planning: Subsurface Uncertainty Requires Flexible Facilities Design

Abstract

Onshore tight gas field development with limited well data introduces wide range of uncertainties which impact facility design. Failing to build flexibility into surface facility will mean losing opportunity or being impacted by risks. Subsurface uncertainties cannot be reduced to negligible during the appraisal stage therefore, putting emphasis on understanding ranges of uncertainties is more important. There are also ways to mitigate well spacing uncertainty stating from wider spaced wells and infilling with time. Surface pipelines are designed to cater for first level infill without any extra cost. The areal spread of the gathering system is designed to start at the most certain area and early wells delineate the reservoir quality ahead of the pipelines. The pipelines themselves are flexibly in terms of being extended or cut short. This presentation will list some subsurface uncertainties and how flexibility is built into surface facility design to mitigate loss of value or facility upgrade.