Publications

X-North (Al-Khlata A and B) field is located in the Eastern flank of the South Oman Salt Basin. Al-Khlata formation is a glacial deposit characterized by a homogenous, fine to coarse grained sand. The thickness of the reservoir is variable with a maximum oil column of 47 m. The first commercial hydrocarbons were discovered in 1985 by well-2. X-North field started production at an initial pressure of 14,010 kPa. It has a very strong aquifer which is proven by a minor reduction in reservoir pressure throughout the 25 years of production (23 psi/year). The crude falls in the low range of the heavy oil scale with an API gravity of 24.5 and negligible gas production. The current average liquid production per a single well is approximately1000 m3/d with a very high water-cut of 98%. Consequently, the primary recovery exploited almost 40% of the Oil-Originally-In-Place. In comparison with analogues within South Oman, this recovery is considered among the highest. This paper will demonstrate how such a high recovery being achieved from the primary development in such a field. Moreover, further exploitation of reserves through the implementation of Enhanced-Oil-Recovery mechanisms is to be investigated.