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Benefits
Certainly the most apparent benefit is reduced
water handling costs. The impact of this however is very area
and well specific. Certainly, with trucking water from single
well batteries at $5/m3, and possibly even disposing it through
a third party, the economic analysis is very simple. However,
many developed fields with mature infrastructures can handle water
for as low as 10 cents per cubic meter. Even given this relatively
low cost, the field may be production limited simply because its
facilities are at their maximum water handling capacity. In a
case like this, or when new drilling is planned, downhole oil/water
separation can be an alternative to the expensive expansion of
surface facilities infrastructure.
The second major benefit of downhole oil/water separation is the
potential for increased oil production. Prolific wells may carry
high fluid levels and simply be at the limit of rod and jack loading
with a conventional pump. By disposing of water downhole instead
of lifting it to surface, a larger pumping system can be used
to produce significantly more fluid and hence a gain in incremental
oil.
Along the same lines, power consumption can also be reduced. By
not having to lift large amounts of water to surface, less horsepower
may be required to move the same amount of total fluid. This also
reduces green house gases, which has a positive impact on the
environment.
Surface facilities costs are also reduced. An oil rich stream
would typically be less corrosive than high water cut production.
This can increase facilities life, and reduce maintenance and
inhibition costs. Equipment failure would be reduced along with
the cost of clean up.
Finally, downhole oil/water separation can be extended to total
reservoir management. With same zone disposal, pressure maintenance
becomes an integral part of the process. Proper consideration
of multiple zones can set up a water flood system and sweep oil
to nearby wells and visa versa.
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