Case Studies

Well Unloading For Chevron On Various Fields Throughout Thailand

Chevron originally identified a number of candidate wells that were unable to flow through the production facilities due to low well flowing pressures.
By installation of bespoke packages of equipment, including multi-well manifolds, separation equipment and high volume / pressure pumps, Expro PTI was able to flow multiple wells into single unloading packages allowing produced oil to be pumped back into the production line at normal line pressure.
Expro PTI supports each well unloading package in the field with a full crew of operators and supervisors, providing 24 hour operational coverage and maintenance support.
The initial contract commenced in 2004 and is currently firm through to 2014.

Benefits to Chevron

PTl’s operations team delivers packages to Chevron in timeframes no other service provider can match, typically within 12-16 weeks.
Well flow enhanced, resulting in significantly improved economics (or the client.
Typical platforms have shown increases in production varying from 700 bopd up to 5000 bopd. Introducing gas compression, reduces gas venting and retains gas production in the range 0.5 – 2.0 MM scfd.
If produced gas is used for gas lift, this can enhance the production still further for even more wells on the same platforms.

Chevron Well Unloading Spread

Main Components

Production manifold for multiple wells
Safety valve / ESD system
Vertical Separator
Surge Tank
High pressure re-injection pump
Generators/ air compressors
Gas Compression
Water Treatment

Optional Components

Sand management

Petronas Carigali

In July 2008, Petronas Carigali (PCSB) commissioned a pilot project for production enhancement for some of their low pressure wells on several of their fields in Malaysia. Expro PTI were awarded a contract, in conjunction with Uzma Engineering and Sigma Setia, to provide their well unloading unit (WUU) to the Dulang D platform. This project ran for a six-month period and proved very successful in achieving increased production from four wells on the platform in excess of 1,000 Bbls per day of Oil.

A second WUU package was awarded and mobilised for the Bayan D platform in October 2008 and has been continuously producing since that date at a rate in excess of 1300 Bbls/day of oil.

An additional WUU package was mobilised in March 2010 on Bayan B platform and is currently continuing in production around 900 Bbls/day of oil from 4 wells.

PCSB have identified several other candidate platforms for the WUU services and have recently awarded a further contract for the Tinggi platform which is due to be mobilised in December 2010.