SPE 122006

Increased Rates, Reserves, and Revenues from Heavy Oil Reservoir Using
ESP Technology: A Suriname Case Study
E. Anthony, SPE, G. Grauwde, Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N. V., Michael Domangue, Weatherford Artificial
Lift Systems

Copyright 2009, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2009 SPE EUROPEC/EAGE Annual Conference and Exhibition held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 8–11 June 2009.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not
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acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract Introduction
Wells producing heavy oil (16° API), completed in The first oil discovery in Suriname was in 1964. After the
shallow, high permeability, low-dipping, and very establishment of Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V.
unconsolidated reservoirs experienced very early water (State Oil Company of Suriname) in 1980, the first test
breakthrough, short-circuiting significant reserve potential. well was drilled 19811 which proved the producibility of
Wells were completed as vertical open-hole gravel packs the field. Full scale development started in November
and produced ‘water-free’ at rates 150 – 300 bopd for a 1982 in the Tambaredjo field, when the production was
few months, then plummeted to 25 – 50 bopd when water 250 BOPD from 5 wells. As field development moved
broke through. Progressing Cavity Pumps were the further north, the terrain gradually changes from partial
primary Artificial Lift method used in 5.5” casing swamp to full-scale swamp. Location preparation, inter-
completions. In an attempt to restore some of the lost oil connecting roads, and facility foundations all required land
production after water breakthrough, efforts to reduce the fill, driving up infrastructural costs sigfnificantly. In 2003,
flowing BHP were made by using high-volume PC pumps. appraisal wells were drilled in an adjacent field, Calcutta.
Fluid withdrawal rates were increased from ±350 bpd to In 2006, full-scale development of this field started as a
±700 bpd with no significant change in fluid level ‘Wet Operation’, where wells were drilled and completed
(FBHP), watercut, or oil production. using pontoon-based drilling equipment. Well locations
The Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) was then used to are connected by waterways rather than roadways. All
reduce the FBHP sufficiently to stimulate increased oil pipelines, electric poles, metering and collection facilities,
production to the wellbore. Fluid withdrawal rates were however, are constructed on land-fill dykes.
taken to ±2200 bpd which achieved approximately 100 As of December 2008, the average oil production from
psi(25%) reduction in FBHP. both fields was 16,000 BOPD from 1188 production wells
Sustained oil production increases between 100% and (Fig. 1)
400% were realized. Watercuts increased by no more than
3%. Dynamic fluid levels in surrounding wells showed a Production Profile - Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V.

temporary reduction, but increased and stabilized at 18000

TA-58, 45, Water 140
original levels after 2-3 months, indicating a very active 16000 46
Developmen
breakthrough

edge-water drive mechanism. Infill wells with 7” 14000

120
Avg Production Rate (bopd)

production casings are planned to accommodate larger

Wells Drilled per year

12000 100

volume ESP’s. No sand production has been observed to 10000

Calcutta Field
80

date indicating no deterioration of the gravel pack at these 8000 Developm ent
60
6000
elevated extraction rates. At prevailing oil prices, project 40
4000
investments were recovered within 4 months. 20
2000

0 0
Under the conditions of low GOR, low dipping, high
82

84

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08
19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

20

20

20

20

20

Avg Prod Rate

permeability, edge-water drive, heavy oil reservoirs, Time
Wells drilled

increased fluid extraction rates can result in significant Fig.1 – Production history of Staatsolie Oilfield
increase in oil production rates and producible reserves,
even though wells may have experienced early water A third field has been appraised and is scheduled for full
breakthroughs. scale development in 2010. Several other field
development strategies are being investigated to further
reduce infrastructural and operational costs.
2 SPE 122006

Regional Geology Reservoir Characteristics

The coastal plain of Suriname, together with that of both Oil production comes from thinly bedded, very
French Guiana and Guyana, form the onshore part of the unconsolidated clastic reservoirs, with thickness from 5 to
Guyana sedimentary basin (Fig. 2). 50 ft, at average depths ranging from 600 ft (200 m) to
1300 ft (430m) with a formation temperature of 95°F
(35°C). Reservoir pressures are hydrostatic. These
reservoirs have an average porosity of 39.0% and water
saturation of 25.0%. The oil has an average in-situ
viscosity of 500 cp and an average gravity of 16° API.
GOR’s average 70 scf/bbl2, seldom exceeding 100 scf/bbl.
The T-sand package consists of vertically stacked sand
bodies occasionally interbedded with clay and lignites.
The sand body pinches out to the South onto the
Cretaceous unconformity and forms a stratigraphic trap,
while to the North it dips about 20. (Fig. 3)
The thickness of the oil-bearing sands varies from 3 ft to
45 ft with very irregular lateral sand distribution. This
sand distribution pattern results in good producers (> 100
BOPD) being offset by no more than 200m with poor
Fig.2 – Coastal plain of Suriname/Guyana Basin1 producers(<20 BOPD). The sands consist of mostly quartz
(95%) and feldspar (<5%). The sands are very
The reservoirs are of Paleocene age, and are of coastal and unconsolidated, fine to coarse grained, and poorly to well
non-coastal depositional environment (fluvial to shore- sorted.
face) presenting erratic sand development. Oil The T-sand reservoirs could be divided into a lower
accumulations occur mostly in stratigraphic traps. reservoir unit, the T1 sand, middle T2 sand, and an upper
However, combination traps (structural & stratigraphical) T3 sand. The T1 sand has average porosity and
are also present. These sands are of fluvial-estuarine to permeability of 38% and 7 darcies. The T2 sand and T3
coastal marine origin at average depths of 900 to 1200 ft. sands have less permeability due increased clay content.
They were deposited over a Late Cretaceous unconformity In the northern part of the Tambaredjo field, the T1 sand
during an overall transgressive period, as multilateral and which is the main producing sand, has an OWC at 1327 ft.
vertically stacked sand bodies. Oil production in the Tambaredjo field is mainly
supported by a combination of solution gas drive,
compaction, and water-drive. Water drive dominates in the
Coastal Plain
Coastal
northern production areas like TA45 and TA46 (Appendix
Tidal Flats
Marine 1). Reservoir pressure ranges from 400 psi to 600 psi,
increasing as the reservoir dips towards the North.

Field Development Strategy

Field development in Tambaredjo field started in 1982
using a 200m well spacing drilling grid. Since reservoirs
encountered were normally pressured, artificial lift was
necessary from inception. Beam pumps were used
initially, but were later replaced by the more appropriate
Progressing Cavity Pumps.
Over 95% of the wells were completed as vertical Open
Hole gravel packs with 5.5” casing and 2.375” tubing.
Fig. 3 – Cross-section of sedimentation against Pre-
(Appendix 2). As field development moved further north,
Cambrian shield in Suriname/Guyana Basin
closer to the regional Oil/Water contact, thicker reservoirs
were encountered within the T-sand package. Initial
The river channels changed their course regularly and
production rates from the wells drilled in these thicker
rapidly resulting in a random distribution of the sand
reservoirs averaged 200bopd as compared to the 30 – 40
bodies over large surfaces. It is therefore challenging to
bopd initial rates from the early development wells to the
make accurate sand thickness predictions as the stacking
south. Hence, as seen at the commencement of
pattern of the river bars occurred randomly. The dominant
development of the TA45, 46 & 58 areas in 1996, much
seal against which most of the oil is trapped is a
fewer new wells were required to achieve appreciable
transgressive shale that overlaps in the South on the
production growth (Fig. 1) shows the GR/RES log of a
Cretaceous surface.
typical well in the area with the balanced bottom cement
The Tambaredjo field is the first oil production field in the
plug. Drilling and completion practices, however, had no
relatively unexplored Suriname-Guyana basin.
significant change during this period, and increased
productivity was primarily due to thicker reservoirs.
SPE 122006 3

Fig. 1 shows the production history of the Tambaredjo

oilfield from initial development to present. From 2002, a
significant drop in production can be observed. This was
due to several of the high oil-producing wells to the north
watering out. These wells have since remained producing
at 85 – 95% watercut, oil rates averaging 25 bopd from
their initial 150 – 350 bopd.
Significant oil was bypassed as a result of these early
water breakthroughs, and several techniques were used to
increase the recovery factor, either by delaying the onset
of water breakthrough, by limiting the water production
after breakthrough occurred, or increasing the drawdown
after water breakthrough.
Strategies used were:
 Producing wells at low drawdown pressures ~
Resultant production rates in order to remain below
the Critical Coning Rate were below the economical Fig.4 – GR/Res type log showing Bottom Plug and
limit to achieve the desired ROR on investment. Casing Point placement
 Casing off target interval and partially perforating the
upper section of the oil column ~ Same as in strategy ESP Well Selection Criteria
1, the Critical Coning Rates were below economic
level. Also, when rates were increased, water Production > 500 BPD
greakthrough accurred shortly afterwards due to the The largest volume pump able to fit comfortably in 5.5”
high kv/kh ratio in these highly unconsolidated casing that was made available by the PC pump provider
reservoirs at that time was the 2 bpd/rpm. At the maximum speed
 Gel squeezes into the wells with high watercuts ~ recommended (400 rpm), and at 80% efficiency,
Water production was indeed reduced significantly, maximum rates attainable were ±650bpd. This was only
but also, the oil rates were reduced proportionally. able to marginally reduce the FBHP.
 Using large volume PC Pumps, limited by 5.5” OD
casing, to maximize production rates ~ Production FBHP > 450 psi
rates achieved by the largest volume pumps at the At the minimum ESP rate of 1500 BPD, each well would
time3, only marginally reduced the FBHP under the be required to deliver an additional 1000 BPD. This would
high-watercut conditions. only be possible if there was sufficient reservoir pressure
capacity to achieve this extra production without pumping
Despite any of the aforementioned strategies, or off the well.
combinations of same, significant producible reserves
were bypassed when water broke through prematurely. Watercut between 90 and 96%
The source(s) of water being produced in these high- Wells with FBHP > 450 psi and producing at rates
watercut wells was difficult to identify due to the short exceeding 500 bpd were inevitably high watercut wells
Openhole completed intervals (10’ – 30’) at the bottom of (>80% watercut). The lower limit of 90% was chosen to
the well, and pump installations in place. Edge-water avoid selecting candidates for this project from the
under-running the oil leg was considered the primary existing larger oil producers. The upper limit of 96% was
mechanism responsible for the water breakthrough. To a selected, so that at the maximum designed extraction rate
lesser, but still significant extent, is the contribution of of 2200 bpd, there will be sufficient oil production to
water from the underlying, relatively low-permeability justify the investment should the watercut escalate to 98%.
Cretaceous across the unconformity (Fig. 4).
It was decided to increase the drawdown in these wells by WOR range 9 to 24 (90% to 96% watercut) and should
using appropriate high volume pumps to allow the be stable over the last 2 years
bypassed oil to move towards the wellbore. Due to the At watercuts >90%, small changes in watercut are more
limited ID of the field standard 5.5” casing, PC pumps readily visible when displayed as a WOR rather than %
were considered to be inadequate to achieve the required watercut. For example, 95% watercut corresponds with a
high watercut fluid extraction rates without regular WOR of 19 and 96% watercut corresponds with a WOR of
maintenance. 24. Therefore, the criterion was that the trend of the WOR
over the past two to three years should not be increasing
significantly with time.
4 SPE 122006

PI > 5 All wells were started at 40Hz (equivalent to 1500 bpd)

To achieve an intake pressure to the ESP that would without disruption of the electrical distribution system.
secure longevity in operation at maximum rates, a target
pump intake pressure of 200 psi was recommended. The Production – 9D05 realized an initial average raet of
selected wells should therefore have a reasonably high PI 65 bopd (160%) from pre-installation average of 25 bopd.
to achieve the minimum of 1500 BPD before achieving the After 1 year, production rates are 45 bopd (80% above the
target pump intake pressure of 200 psi. Therefore, for a pre-installation rate). However, it shold be noted that the
minimum additional flowrate of 1000 bpd, the PI required FBHP also increased even though the gross fluid rate did
to reduce the FBHP from 450 – 200 psi is 4. A PI of at not change. See Fig X (a). No sand production detected in
least 5 includes a safety margin. any samples taken.
Bopd
ESP - 9D05 - Oil Production
Fbhp
Wells with recovery of greater then 20% 150 600
Even though wells with low ultimate recoveries indicate 125 500

Production Rate (bopd)

Flowing BHP (psi)

significant remaining oil in place, they also show that the 100 400

recovery rate is also low. These conditions could arise as a 75 300

result of formation damage, early water break through, 50 200

and/or high in-situ oil viscosity. Wells with high recovery 25 100

percentage, on the contrary, show that there is potential for 0 0

favorable oil flow rates to the wellbore.

07

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Due to the pressure support from the edgewater drive in Time

the region being considered, recoveries greater than 20% Fig.5(a) – ESP Prodution response for well 9D05
within 4 – 5 yrs of production was not uncommon. This
actually confirms greater potential for higher recovery 9D15 realized an initial average raet of 109 bopd (185%)
with additional drawdown than wells with lower from pre-installation average of 38 bopd. After 1 year,
recoveries in the same period. These lower recoveries with production rates are 68 bopd (80% above the pre-
similar STOOIP’s indicate wells with formation damage, installation rate). However, it shold be noted that the
and/or too close to the OWC. FBHP also increased even though the gross fluid rate did
From all the wells fitted with the large volume pumps not change. See Fig X (b). No sand production detected in
(approximately 20 wells), 5 wells met all the criteria listed any samples taken.
above. Since budget allocation limited this pilot to 3 Bopd
ESP - 9D15 - Oil Production
wells, wells 9D05, 9D15 and 10A12 were selected. Fbhp

200 600
175
500
ESP Design Considerations
Production Rate (bopd)

Flowing BHP (psi)

150
400
Minimum intake pressure of 200 psi was recommended 125
100 300
for optimum performance of the ESP. Estimated tubing 75
200
head pressure at elevated flow conditions was 200 psi 50
100
(normal THP = 100 psi). Pump setting depth 25
0 0
approximately 1100’. Tubing and casing sizes were
07

08
07

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8
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8
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v-

v-
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p-
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No

No

2.875” and 5.5” respectively. No downhole gas separation

Ja

Ja

Ja
Se

Se
M

M
M

Time
device was necessary since average GOR per well was
approximately 50 scf/bbl. Fig.5(b) – ESP Prodution response for well 9D15
A Variable Speed Controller was required to minimize the
start-up surge on the already heavily loaded electrical 10A12 realized an initial average rate of 155 bopd (450%)
distribution system in the field. Minimum and maximum from pre-installation average of 28 bopd. After 1 year,
flow rates anticipated were 1500 bpd and 2500 bpd average production rate is 90 bopd (320% of the pre-
respectively. Since no well in the field had ever been installation rate). See Fig X (c). No sand production
produced at rates > 700 bpd, it was not known if the open- detected in any samples taken.
hole gravel pack completion would withstand the elevated E S P - 1 0 A 1 2 - O il P ro d u c tio n
B opd
F bh p

drag forces under the higher flow rates. Hence the reason 30 0 60 0

for designing an ESP with a minimum flow rate equivalent 25 0 50 0

to 2x the existing maximum PCP flow rate.

Production Rate (bopd)

Flowing BHP (psi)

20 0 40 0

At minimum flow rate of 1500 bpd, fluid velocity 15 0 30 0

bypassing the ESP motor was more than sufficient for 10 0 20 0

optimum cooling. 50 10 0

0 0

Performance Results Ja
n-
07
M
ar
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7
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7
Ju
l-0
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ep
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ov
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Ja
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8
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M S M S
Installation – Notwithstanding that this was the first T im e

experience of running ESP systems for Company

personnel, each installation was completed within a Fig.5(c) – ESP Prodution response for well 10A12
daylight shift and all three wells were fitted within 3 days.
SPE 122006 5

Reserves Acknowledgements
From a combined baseline production of 87 bopd, the The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the
average combined incremental oil gain within the first 3 Staatsolie Board of Executive Directors and their
months combined was 240 bopd. After 12 months management team for their support and permission to
production, the incremental oil gain declined to 116 bopd. publish this paper. Contributions from Calcutta Asset
Using decline curve analysis and extrapolating to normal Team, Field Evaluation & Development Team, and the
abandonment, the incremental reserves for each well is ESP project team are also greatly appreciated.
9D15 (14,470 bbl), 9D05 (41,330 bbl), and 10A12 (67,000
bbl). Combined incremental reserves are 122,800 bbl, Nomenclature
approximately equivalent to 15% of original recoverable OD - Outside Diameter
reserves determined from decline curve analysis. ID - Internal Diameter
ESP - Electrical Submersible Pump
Economics OWC - Oil Water Contact
The 3 ESP units were identical 35 HP 48 stage pumps, BPD - Barrels per day
each fitted with Variable Speed Controllers on surface. WOR - Water Oil Ratio
The cumulative cost for all 3 ESP systems was THP - Tubing Head Pressure
approximately $350,000 inclusive of equipment and GOR - Gas Oil Ratio
services. Accounting for water treatment costs, FBHP - Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure
incremental operating expenses from additional power STOIIP - Stock Tank Oil Initially In Place
requirements, and oil decline rates of 50%, 40%, 30%, and PCP - Progressing Cavity Pump
20% in subsequent years post-installation, the project NPV NPV - Net Present Value
was $1.68 MM with an IRR of 310%. Oil price used was IRR - Internal Rate of Return
a very conservative $35/bbl. For a low tier operation,
these are excellent economic returns.
References
Conclusions and Observations 1. H. Kartoredjo, K. Moe Soe Let, G. Nadeson, SPE, and
 Despite the average 350% increase in gross fluid B. Nandlal, Staatsolie Maatschappij N. V., “Heavy
production, watercut increases were marginal (no Oil Field Development and Reservoir Management
more than 3%), which resulted in the attractive oil Challenges in Producing Onshore Shallow Reservoirs
production increases realized. To date a combined in Suriname”: SPE 104068, First International Oil
incremental of 40,500 bbl has been produced from all Conference and Exhibition, Cancun, Mexico, 31
three wells August–2 September 2006.
 When watercuts are ≥ 95%, the WOR is a more 2. Brouwer, G. K., “ Reservoir Simulation Tambaredjo
effective parameter to use in evaluating the inflow Field (TA-45 & TA-58 area), TNO report # B-380,
performance and potential of a well, rather than the Internal Report (November 2004)
watercut. 3. Mc Clung W.J., SPE, Johnsosn J.A., SPE, Electric
 Except for well 10A12, initial decreases in FBHP Submersible Pump Application and Operation in
after ESP start up was short-lived, apparently due to Small Openhole Completions: SPE-9213, 1980
the strong pressure support at the water source. Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition, Dallas,
 The openhole Gravel Pack completions withstood the Sept 21 - 24
higher drag forces at the higher production rates much
better than suspected.
 The PI’s observed at the increased drawdown,
indicate significant potential for further oil gains.
 Increase in water separation, treatment and disposal
costs must be considered if significantly more wells
are converted to ESP and produce at higher rates.
 Not one mechanical or electrical problem has
occurred with any of the ESP installations since start-
up date.
 9D10, the well directly between 9D05 and 9D15,
showed negligible response to the increased
drawdown in the adjacent wells except for a marginal
reduction in FBHP.
 Recoverable reserves amount to approximately 15%
more than if nothing had been done.
 Project economics show a payback period of 2 months
with a favorable ROR of 310% an NPV of $1.68MM
USD
6 SPE 122006

Appendix 1

Top Cretaceous structural map with T1 OWC in TA45/TA46 area

TA45 AREA TA46 AREA

T1 OWC
SPE 122006 7

Appendix 2