K2 EOR plan expected by year-end

David Paganie
Managing Editor

HOUSTON -- Concept selection for maximizing oil recovery of the Anadarko-operated K2 field in the Gulf of Mexico is expected by the end of this year, according to Frank Lim with Anadarko Petroleum. Lim updated an audience at the 2008 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.

A number of injection concepts are being reviewed including waterflood and nitrogen gas. Initial screening has indicated that water and nitrogen gas injection give the best results, Lim said.

The K2 field consists of M14 and M20 sands with high asphaltenes content, Lim explained. The field has been declining rapidly since first production in 2005 due to the reservoir's lack of substantial natural drive recovery characteristics, according to Anadarko. And potentially huge oil resources could be left unrecovered, the company said.

Sanctioning of the optimum injection solution is expected in 2012-2013, Lim said.

Lim concluded by calling for the industry to participate in a joint industry project to help bridge the gap in capturing relevant EOR information.

05/07/2008