Publications

The Echo area is the highest crude oil producer in the ONWJ field. Process optimization of the area is desired to see any bottleneck or system issue that can be solved to increase PHE ONWJ production gain. Analysis by using the flow assurance approaching method is performed and also through identifying surface facilities condition which are selected to check current pressure network and optimize back pressure to related NUI. Several platform networks in the Echo complex have been simulated, especially platforms that have a three-phase system pipeline. The EH-EE-EC network is running three phase fluid for the last 3 years due to the fact that one of the MOL line (EE-EC Oil Pipeline) is leaking. High and unstable backpressure due to slugging effect is detected at EH platform and EC wells, since EH fluid is commingling with EC fluid before liquid and gas is separated and sent to the EPRO platform. This condition leads to high backpressure to the EH platform and to EC wells itself with the result that several EC wells optimization can’t be performed due to high FTP being required. Simulation is performed to separate liquid and gas directly from EH to EC (via EE) and results in 50% lower back pressure than sending three phase fluid (from 140 psi to 70 psi). EC wells also impact lower back pressure, since EC production header operating pressure can be lowered around 20 psi. With this flow assurance recommendation input, several repairs have been conducted by the operation and project teams, such as reactivate EH production Separator, repair of EEEC oil pipeline and also enlarging of the EC-2ST and EC-6 production line to optimize production from these wells. Total actual gain from the EH-EEEC network with this repair, modification and optimizing surface process system is 250 BOPD (preliminary estimate is 303 BOPD). With total cost for modification, repair and optimization of facilities around US$ 250,000, Incremental 250 BOPD can break even the cost in 20 days production (assumed 1 Barrel oil = US$50).