How operators view Prudhoe Bay now

Journal Article · Mon Feb 26 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5893929

Wilson, H M

Operators of the vast Prudhoe Bay oil field, which touches the Beaufort Sea on Alaska's North Slope, have discussed with the journal their production experience since the field began producing in 1977. This discussion brought out several points. (1) Ultimate recovery is still estimated at 9.7 billion bbl; that is 8.9 billion of crude, 0.5 billion of condensate, and 0.3 billion of NGL. (2) Reservoir performance is close to what was anticipated. (3) Tests to evaluate waterflooding have begun. (4) Production from the field has kept the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAPS) full but cannot fill the line's ultimate 2-million BPD capacity. (5) The Lisburne and Kuparuk formations, which lie above and below the producing Sadlerochit, may provide more throughput - but nothing like the 500,000 BPD or so required to reach 2 million. (6) New reserves from new leases are needed to make use of expanded TAPS capacity, especially since detailed reservoir-model studies of Prudhoe Bay indicate normal production decline starting in about 1985 to 1987. (7) Operators have experienced some well-bore damage in perhaps 12 wells; in addition, there have been some mechanical problems with gas-injection wells; studies are under way. (8) Operators anticipate no problem managing the reservoir if gas sales begin in late 1983 or in managing the reserovir if gas sales begin in late 1983 or in 1984.

• OSTI ID: 5893929
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 77:9; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALASKA
ALASKA OIL PIPELINE
ARCTIC OCEAN
BAYS
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CONDENSATES
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION X
FIELD TESTS
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
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GAS INJECTION
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LIQUIDS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL FIELDS
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PIPELINES
PRODUCTION
PRUDHOE BAY
RESERVES
RESOURCES
SEAS
STIMULATION
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WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
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