The 17th World Petroleum Congress

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 1-5, 2002 Reference: Block 1 Forum 3 Excelling in the Exploration and Production of Oil and Gas New Oil and Gas in Mature Provinces: Exploration and Production

Optimisation of Oil Production in the Mature Oil Field of Matzen

Walter Schumi, Herbert Gager, OMV-Aktiengesellschaft, Austria Abstract
The giant multi-pool, multi-layered oil and gas field of Matzen was discovered in 1949. It is the largest oil and gasfield of Central Europe. The production history shows a typical profile of accelerated early production with a yearly peak production of 2.9 million tons (20 MM STB) of oil in 1955, followed by a long decline. Today the field comprises 400 producing units over 70 horizons. Until now some 1410 wells have been drilled and a total of 72 million tons of oil (510 MM STB) and more than 30 billion m (1.2 TCF) of gas have been produced. Current daily production averages 1650 tons (12 M STB) of oil with a water-cut of 92% and 2 million m (72 MMCF) of gas. The average oil recovery-factor of the whole field is about 38% (in some horizons more than 60%). Regarding these facts the Matzen field can truly be considered as a very "mature field". The main oil reservoirs of the field are in the Neogene basin fill of the Vienna Basin and in the triassic basin underground (fractured dolomite) in the eastern part of Austria. Well depths vary from 600 m to 3000 m and oil qualities from 22 to 45 API. Sand problems with unconsolidated reservoirs as well as reservoir souring, corrosion, scaling and paraffin-deposit problems are a big challenge to optimise the oil production of this field. To keep the Matzen field also profitable for the future three main approaches have been made: Modern G&G re-examinations During the late nineties 3D-seismic and sequence stratigraphy were used to re-appraise geological, sedimentological and petrophysical models throughout the main reservoirs of the tertiary basin fill. Based on these models the original hydrocarbon distribution was reevaluated. Using a simplified drainage model in combination with production data allow to draw maps of potential bypassed oil and lead to improved reservoir studies. Not only was by-passed oil found with infill-drilling and workovers but also new surrounding reservoirs. Reservoir management to develop the maximum output from the existing reservoirs Re-design of the waterflood concept due to geological re-evaluation: To further increase oil recovery it has been found useful to split down singular geologic sand layers with defined facies models and to consider these layers individually as well as in connection with the whole horizon. The implementation of an appropriate relocation program of the injectors was started to get a better areal and vertical sweep efficiency. Nitrogen injection to get attic oil from vuggy reservoirs: Engineering studies showed that with nitrogen injection into a dual porosity reservoir a considerable amount of attic oil left in the fractures and matrix could have been produced which could not be recovered by the water flooding process.

Natural gas injection into the gas cap of the main horizon: Production history has shown that with gas injection into the main horizon of the Matzen field not only has the oil recovery improved but also it has confirmed that the reservoir is suitable as a gas storage in order to cover the peak gas demand to further increase profitability. New microbial enhanced-oil-recovery (MEOR) concept: In co-operation with STATOIL considerable efforts have been made to develop a MEOR-method for a field-wide application. Two of three pilots are still continuing and showing promising results. Water-shut-off methods in excessive water producing wells: To minimise water production in wells where the mechanical method of water-shut-off is not applicable, field tests with polymer systems were carried out. As result of the tests it was decided to use the water-glass system because it is economically feasible and easy to use. Hydraulic fracturing: A step to an aggressive frac design has been taken place because high fluid volumes are the main part of the expenditures and should be reduced. The new dynamic frac design shows more tests and prefracs like minifracs with or without sand before the mainfrac.

New suitable technology for stripper well environment Use of new chemicals and change of materials: Great progress has been made in minimising well-failures with sucker-rod wells and in connection with it life-cycle has increased from about 300 days to more than 1000 days within fifteen years. This could have been achieved by massive improvements with sucker-rods, pumps, tubings, couplings, protectors and chemicals. Optimisation of gas-lift design: Improvements of gas-lift performance (continuously lifted wells as well as intermitting gas-lift wells) have helped to reduce the injection gas-liquid ratio from more than 130 m/m (730 SCF/B) to less than 50 m/m (280 SCF/B). Change from the conventional water conditioning plant to a microbial clarification technology: Instead of adding more and more biocides to prevent biofauling of the injected water attempts were made to starve the population by microbiologically clearing the water. This brine clarification offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional chemical treatment and produces stable, biologically inert water with excellent injectivity. Use of a modern production-control system: The implementation of a modern production-control and surveying system has helped to employ the personnel more efficiently and to improve the quality of production metering, the survey of the oilfield facilities and above all the safety of the whole field.

Taken together, these approaches have increased the efficiency of OMVs oil and gas production significantly. There has also been a fruitful co-operation of several departments or teams within the exploration and production group of OMV and with external consultants. With these and further technological developments it is realistic to expect another 25 years of profitable oil and gas production in the Matzen field.