GLOBAL DATA

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This month Infield Systems Ltd. looks at the number of subsea injection wells across the world.

The next five years is expected to see the number of injection wells drilled grow strongly across the world. The adjacent graphic shows that the majority of injection wells are used to inject water (86%). While gas injection wells account for 12%. In terms of prospects between now and 2009 the number of possible injection wells could grow at a 14.6% compound annual rate. The dramatic decrease beyond 2010 is due to a lack of visibility on future projects

Over the next five years the number of injection wells is forecast to rise in line with the number of subsea production wells. The high price of oil also provides an incentive for companies to improve recovery rates which can be achieved through the use of injection wells.

As a final point, lots of large, deepwater developments are expected to come on-stream in West Africa over the next five years. There is currently little infrastructure in place that allows for the monetarisation of associated gas and so the gas is currently flared. But as legislation is passed to impose limits on this, then injection for this gas becomes a feasible way not only to avoid flaring, but to store the gas for future profitable extraction later.

-Will Rowley, Director of Analytical Services, Infield Systems