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Showing posts with label Oil and Gas Production. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oil and Gas Production. Show all posts
Natural Gas ..Extraction
Fracking Technology
Fracking Technology
Hydraulic stimulation
To enhance the flow of gas or oil wells and exploit the potential of the deposits more efficiently, wells in production are stimulated hydraulically.
Injecting a fluid under high pressure and at a high flow rate at a specific point inside the well causes cracks to be formed within the rock – the so-called “hydraulic fracturing”. During the fracturing process, the crack measuring about 100 metres in length is filled with proppant agents (bauxite beads) to stop the crack from closing again.
This method of deliberately fracturing the rock increases the drainage area for the gas or crude many times. Gas or oil is then able to drain from the rock into the crack and flow into the well. The now highly permeable flow path to the well means less energy is expended, and the natural gas or oil can therefore be extracted from the deposit more efficiently.
Recovery
1. Primary recovery
After the well has been drilled into an oil-bearing reservoir and the mud depleted, the natural pressure in the reservoir causes the oil to flow into the production wells and then gush to the surface.
If reservoir conditions are difficult, e.g. rapidly declining pressure or significant flow-resistance factors, this so-called gusher soon stops. The simplest way of maintaining production flow rates is to use downhole pumps. These phases in the production of oil from a field are known as primary recovery. On average, around 5-10% of the original oil in place can be exploited by means of primary recovery.
2. Secondary recovery
Secondary recovery methods were developed to improve the recovery factor. The most common method involves flooding the reservoir with water. This involves injecting water into the reservoir to artificially increase the reservoir pressure and press the oil into the production wells. This process is "reversible" in that gas can be forced into the top of the reservoir and thus press the oil down to deeper production wells. The recovery factor can be increased to around 45% by employing the water flooding method.
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Oil Exploration and Production
Oil Exploration and Production
The oil and gas industry comprises two parts: 'upstream'— the exploration and production sector of
the industry; and 'downstream'—the sector which deals with refining and processing of crude oil and
gas products, their distribution and marketing.
Companies operating in the industry may be regarded as fully integrated, (i.e. have both upstream and downstream interests), or may concentrate on a particular sector, such as exploration and production, commonly known as an E&P company, or just on refining and marketing (a R&M company).
Many large companies operate globally and are described as 'multi-nationals', whilst other smaller companies concentrate on specific areas of the world and are often referred to as 'independents'. Frequently, a specific country has vested its interests in oil and gas in a national company, with its name often reflecting its national parenthood.
In the upstream sector, much reliance is placed upon service and upon contractor companies who provide specialist technical services to the industry, ranging from geophysical surveys, drilling and cementing, to catering and hotel services in support of operations. This relationship between contractors and the oil companies has fostered a close partnership, and increasingly, contractors are fully integrated with the structure and culture of their clients.
Scientific exploration for oil, in the modern sense, began in 1912 when geologists were first involved in the discovery of the Cushing Field in Oklahoma, USA. The fundamental process remains the same, but modern technology and engineering have vastly improved performance and safety. In order to appreciate the origins of the potential impacts of oil development upon the environment, it is important to understand the activities involved.
The oil and gas industry comprises two parts: 'upstream'— the exploration and production sector of
the industry; and 'downstream'—the sector which deals with refining and processing of crude oil and
gas products, their distribution and marketing.
Companies operating in the industry may be regarded as fully integrated, (i.e. have both upstream and downstream interests), or may concentrate on a particular sector, such as exploration and production, commonly known as an E&P company, or just on refining and marketing (a R&M company).
Many large companies operate globally and are described as 'multi-nationals', whilst other smaller companies concentrate on specific areas of the world and are often referred to as 'independents'. Frequently, a specific country has vested its interests in oil and gas in a national company, with its name often reflecting its national parenthood.
In the upstream sector, much reliance is placed upon service and upon contractor companies who provide specialist technical services to the industry, ranging from geophysical surveys, drilling and cementing, to catering and hotel services in support of operations. This relationship between contractors and the oil companies has fostered a close partnership, and increasingly, contractors are fully integrated with the structure and culture of their clients.
Scientific exploration for oil, in the modern sense, began in 1912 when geologists were first involved in the discovery of the Cushing Field in Oklahoma, USA. The fundamental process remains the same, but modern technology and engineering have vastly improved performance and safety. In order to appreciate the origins of the potential impacts of oil development upon the environment, it is important to understand the activities involved.
Spills and Seeps
Spills and Seeps
Petroleum can spill during many stages of its production, transportation, and consumption.
Petroleum can leak from wells on land or in the sea.
Pipelines can break, causing petroleum to spill during transportation. Oil tankers may collide or sink, releasing huge loads of crude oil into the water. Accidents or disasters can cause toxic petroleum products to spill from power plants, refineries, and even gasoline stations.
Some petroleum also seeps naturally from openings in the sea floor. Spills and seeps release about 15 million barrels of crude oil into the environment each year. This makes up only about (1/5) of the oil consumed in one day. About 10 percent of this oil seeps naturally from the ocean floor.
Petroleum companies spill about 28 percent of this oil during production and transportation. The remaining 62 percent is released in spills during industrial and private consumption. Although only a small fraction of petroleum produced is spilled, petroleum spills are a major environmental problem.
Most of the chemicals in petroleum are toxic to living things. Petroleum spills can poison plants, animals, and even people.
They can also be difficult and expensive to clean up. Large petroleum spills, such as those caused by accidents involving giant oil tankers, often provoke public anger at oil companies. Such an angry outcry occurred in 1989, when the tanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef off southeastern Alaska, spilling nearly 11 million gallons (42 million liters) of crude oil.
Petroleum can spill during many stages of its production, transportation, and consumption.
Petroleum can leak from wells on land or in the sea.
Pipelines can break, causing petroleum to spill during transportation. Oil tankers may collide or sink, releasing huge loads of crude oil into the water. Accidents or disasters can cause toxic petroleum products to spill from power plants, refineries, and even gasoline stations.
Some petroleum also seeps naturally from openings in the sea floor. Spills and seeps release about 15 million barrels of crude oil into the environment each year. This makes up only about (1/5) of the oil consumed in one day. About 10 percent of this oil seeps naturally from the ocean floor.
Petroleum companies spill about 28 percent of this oil during production and transportation. The remaining 62 percent is released in spills during industrial and private consumption. Although only a small fraction of petroleum produced is spilled, petroleum spills are a major environmental problem.
Most of the chemicals in petroleum are toxic to living things. Petroleum spills can poison plants, animals, and even people.
They can also be difficult and expensive to clean up. Large petroleum spills, such as those caused by accidents involving giant oil tankers, often provoke public anger at oil companies. Such an angry outcry occurred in 1989, when the tanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef off southeastern Alaska, spilling nearly 11 million gallons (42 million liters) of crude oil.
