The Niger Delta Basin is a region known for its mature oil and gas fields, with decades of sustained exploration and production activity. Responsible for up to 90% of Nigeria’s oil output, the region is crucial for the country’s energy security and economic stability. As no new major fields are expected to come online in the near future, maximizing value from these mature assets is imperative.
With ambitious indigenous operators set to contribute a significant portion of the country’s oil output, there is a pressing need to address the challenges and opportunities presented by mature assets. Innovative technology plays a key role in revitalizing these fields and accelerating production of low-cost barrels from existing wells.
One such technology that has revolutionized the industry is horizontal drilling. This method, which increases wellbore exposure across the lateral extent of the reservoir, has shown significant potential in enhancing hydrocarbon recovery and production rates. By minimizing pressure drawdown and stabilizing reservoir dynamics, horizontal drilling can lead to enhanced recovery rates and better reservoir stability.
In the Niger Delta, where a large number of inactive wells represent untapped potential, horizontal drilling offers a cost-effective solution to unlock trapped reserves. The Ultra Short Radius (USR) re-entry and completion system, in particular, has been instrumental in accessing bypassed reserves, enhancing production from marginal wells, and reducing water cut.
USR technology allows for the drilling of horizontal drain holes with a very short radius of curvature, enabling efficient oil production while minimizing risks like water coning and gas cusping. This technology is especially effective in heterogeneous, low permeability reservoirs, or when coning of water or gas is a concern.
By utilizing USR drilling technology, Nigerian operators can significantly improve oil recovery and economics in mature fields. The technology offers advantages over conventional horizontal drilling systems, including precise reservoir access, cost-efficiency, and the ability to re-enter existing wells for further development.
In conclusion, the adoption of innovative technologies like USR drilling could be a game-changer for Nigerian upstream operations. By improving key operational metrics and reducing costs, operators can maximize the value of mature assets in the Niger Delta Basin. With the potential to unlock significant production capacity in a relatively short timeframe, USR drilling presents a promising solution for the challenges faced by the region’s oil and gas industry.
