The complete paper describes the first successful implementation of natural dumpflooding offshore Malaysia as a case study to provide insight into the value of using the approach to maximize oil recovery in a mature field, particularly in a low-margin business climate.

Background

Field B, located offshore Balingian province approximately 80 km northwest of Bintulu, has a water depth of 90 ft and is highly compartmentalized and faulted, with almost 100 faults present. The field features three subfields further divided into nine major fault compartments. Eight primary reservoirs exist, with more than 20 subreservoirs stacked atop one another with multiple drive mechanisms, including water drive, gas-cap drive, and solution gas drive. Several of these subreservoirs are thick sands between which communication exists through juxtapositions, shared gas caps, or aquifer. Other subreservoirs are isolated by thin layers of shale apparent in certain wells but absent in others. The high complexity of Field B requires any opportunity identified to be thoroughly evaluated and examined before execution.

Field B is a moderately sized field discovered in 1976, with production commencing in 1984. During the 30 years of oil production, the field peaked at 30,000 B/D in 1990 and dipped to 3,000 B/D in late 1999. The facilities consist of four drilling platforms, a ­processing platform, and a compressor ­platform. A total of 48 wells were drilled in the field, with most wells completed as dual-string producers.