Production

An important part of the work of scientists and engineers at RWE Dea is the implementation and testing of new production technologies to ensure that optimal volumes of hydrocarbons will be produced consistently during successive phases in the development of oil and gas reservoirs.

During the primary production phase, the volume of hydrocarbons extracted from a reservoir starts to decline after a period of sustained production due to a reduction in the pressure originally present within the reservoir. By using pumps and re-injecting reservoir water extracted along with the hydrocarbons through injection wells, the pressure differential can be artificially maintained during the secondary production phase. In the tertiary production phase, a whole raft of measures – referred to as EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) efforts – are employed: these can include thermal methods and the injection of gases and chemicals to increase the flow rate of production wells and extend their productive life.

The reservoir characteristics and the production volumes and production rates that can be expected depend largely on the porosity and permeability of the reservoir rock and on the flow characteristics of the hydrocarbons contained in the reservoir. One option to improve the characteristics of the reservoir rock and so enhance the productivity of reservoirs is the use of stimulation techniques. There is the “frac" treatment, for example: the injection of fluids under extreme pressure creates cracks and fissures in the rock. Proppant agents are injected into the fractures to stabilise the newly created flow paths and improve permeability in the long term. RWE Dea supports a range of research projects with the aim of monitoring and promoting future developments in this field, as these technologies will be of vital importance in ensuring the best possible exploitation of reservoirs in the future.

In addition to enhancing productivity, a further demanding objective is to achieve cost reductions, especially in the field of processing facilities. Some of the important issues to be addressed here are: How to increase the accuracy of gas moisture measurements in natural gas processing plants? What methods are available to better protect the surfaces of highly critical plant components against corrosion? How can blockages in chemical injection lines (CIL) be prevented?

RWE Dea is facing up to these challenges – and aims to keep creating new ideas and production milestones in future.