SPE-191281-MS

Case Study - Bhit Gas Field Compression for Recovery Enhancement

Naseem Munawar Shah, Waheed Ali Kalhoro, Giuseppe Maniscalco, Corecella Giacomo, Eni Pakistan Ltd.;
Syed Afraz Haider, KUFPEC; Abdul Qayyum Qureshi, OGDCL Pakistan and Shahid Zahidi, Premier Oil Pakistan.

Copyright 2017, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the PAPG/SPE Pakistan Section Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Islamabad, Pakistan, 22-23 November
2017.

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 been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any
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Abstract
Gas compression has been widely adopted by the petroleum industry and is validated as a reliable method
for improving reserves base. As depletion drive gas fields mature, their reservoir pressure declines with an
associated reduction in gas production rates. This phenomenon is even more pronounced in fields where
aquifer water breaks through and results in rapidly falling well head pressures which naturally result in
reduced reserves recovery over the producing life of the field. Compression at wellhead or at the facility
elongates well and field life resulting in tapping additional reserves, which may be left behind in case surface
compression facilities are not put in place in a timely and phased manner.

Compression was initiated at Bhit Gas Field from 2009 and implemented in a phased manner over several
years. In first phase, well head compression was deployed to ensure a continuous plateau rate and provide
additional gas recovery at 100 psig suction pressure which was selected through matching compressor
curves against well deliverability. In second phase, booster compressors at selected wellheads were
installed to further drop pressures d upto 50 psig. This was followed by optimization where existing
compressors were not only swapped, relocated and reconfigured but also spare compression capacity was
utilized by merging wellhead to nodal compression to further drop pressures upto 20 psig leading to
increased recovery. Surface optimization actions were justified by set of forecasted results from simulation
model utilizing compressor curves.

This paper will demonstrate the continuous surface optimization performed as a function of reservoir and
well response with the ultimate aim of enhancing reserves recovery by comparing actual field performance
with Forecasts from a numerical simulation model. Highlights on the benefits of timely identification and
implementation of compression needs achieved through significant cost savings and reduced project time
to market will also be presented

Introduction
The Bhit gas field is located in Kirthar concession in Sindh Province Pakistan. The Bhit field was discovered
in 1997 and first gas came at the end of year 2002. Bhit Plant initial design capacity was 270MMscfd (sales)
which was subsequently increased to 327 MMscfd (sales) and minimum inlet designed pressure is 700
Psig. Due to reservoir depletion, compression activity was planned in a phased approach and the first phase
was implemented through installation of well head compressors (4 compressor units 3.3 Mw) & (5
compressor units 1.9 Mw) at 9 locations in the Bhit field from 2009 to 2011 which extended the plateau rate
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of 375 MMscfd for about 3 years. Figure 1 shows a schematic with well/ compressor configuration in this
phase-1.

Due to continuing pressure decline, phase 2 was planned which aimed at further reducing well head
pressures and prolonging field producing life. The Project was to be optimized based on well/field
performances to guarantee expected gains while keeping in view low spending and short time to market.
After phase-2 further optimization on Bhit compression was performed to reduce the field OPEX and
enhance further field recovery by merging wellhead to nodal compression through reconfiguration and
sparing machines.

Methodology
In order to quantify gains of this potential well head pressure reduction, the history matched numerical
model was utilized (that already incorporated compressor curves of phase 1) and further installation of well
head booster compressors was modelled to provide a production forecast. A high quality history match and
appropriate modelling of compressor curves are key elements in quantification of associated gains.

Based on elements such as well deliverability, minimum suction pressure (Ps) and discharge pressure (Pd)
requirements, booster compressor ranges were estimated. Finally a set of compressor curves belonging to
equipment that was available in the local market was then modelled. Sensitivities were conducted to
optimize the number of booster compressors and their locations on the basis of incremental rates &
recoverable field EUR. Figure 4 shows a comparison of Do Nothing (Compression Phase-1) and Action
(Compression Phase-2) forecast for the selected configuration. After compression Phase-2 for further
optimization updated numerical model was utilized (that already incorporated compressor curves of phase
1&2) and further modification of well head booster and nodal compressors was modelled to provide a
production forecast. Figure 6 shows a comparison of Do Nothing (Compression Phase-2) and Action
(Compression Phase-2 Optimization) forecast for the selected configuration.

It is worthy to mention that the proposed technical solution also considered the level of flexibility for instance
the ability of the flow to be diverted from one compressor to another in case of planned and unplanned
downtimes.
The technical Optimization process consisted of a step by step approach that considered the following:

Optimization Process

 Installing new booster compressors

Lower suction pressure results in lowering of flowing bottom-hole pressure, accelerated production and
incremental reserves. Option to add new booster compressors to upstream of exiting phase-1 compressor
location which has higher technical cut off limit for safe operation was evaluated with several options. The
number of new booster compressor units to be installed in compression phase-2 at selected well heads
were optimized based on incremental reserves and associated costs.

 Compressor Reconfigurations

The wells which were not selected for installations of new booster units were finalized as candidates for
reconfiguration. In general this work included the modification of internal parts and piping system of the
already installed machines. Figure: 5 demonstrates the work flow adopted during optimization process.
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Project Scope and Planning

Based on reservoir simulation analysis, a project of Bhit Compression Phase 2 was launched that had a
scope of installation of booster compressors on 10 wells split into 4 nodes and reconfiguration of the 3
existing 1.9 MW compressors. The Installation of 10 booster compressors was planned in two stages.
Node-1 & 2 in the first stage whereas Node-3 & 4 in the second stage of project. Figure 2 shows the
schematic after full implementation of the Project. Similarly the Bhit Compression pahse-2 Optimization that
had a scope of relocation existing 2 booster machines, 2 additional pipeline construction, reconfiguration
of booster machines and sparing three compressor (two 1.9 & one 3 MW Compressors). Figure 3 shows
the schematic after implementation of compression phase-2 optimization.The design and planning was
completed to ensure minimal effect on production (loss of production during construction phase).

Project Management
The compressor packages were designed on a basic skid configuration, which includes all necessary Power
Generation, Controls system, Fuel Gas conditioning and water handling. This made each skid completely
independent, modular unit capable of operating on a standalone basis. Continuous follow up of schedule
with the Contractor and implementing the action needed has saved time of about two months to market
earlier gas production and this early completion of project resulted 2% of cost savings. Table 1 summarizes
main milestones achieved during project execution of Bhit compression Phase-2.

Results
The Bhit Gas field Compression Projects were successfully executed with regards to reserves recovery,
economics and cost. The macro results can be summarized as follows:
• Compression Phase-1 extended the plateau of 375 MMscfd for three years and improved Recovery
Factor form 65% to 84% by reducing the well head pressures up to 100 Psig
• Compression Phase-2 accelerated the production of 39 MMscfd and improved EUR Recovery
Factor from 84% to 88% by reducing the well head pressures to a minimum of 50 Psig.
• The further optimization of compression phase-2 extended field life for five years, generated cost
saving by reducing fuel gas consumption and maintenance activities and improved Recovery
Factor form 88% to 91.7% by reducing the well head pressures up to 20 Psig.
• Figure-7 shows the match of Actual production with the field forecast under Phase 1 and Phase 2
and the high quality of modelling is quite evident.

From an internal analysis carried out, the following actions may have also contributed to lower overall costs:
• Saving in engineering achieved through employment of local engineering company
• Saving in material as part of the material were purchased locally under existing supplier contracts
Compression phase-2 Project was successfully executed in 10 months (2 months ahead of schedule).
During the course of the Project some lessons were learnt which are worthy of mention:
• Ensure greater follow-up and timely submission of all necessary documents to get approval by all
stakeholders.
• Ensure greater follow-up and timely submission of all necessary documents to get approval by all
stakeholders
• Estimation / evaluation / procurement of all required material at appropriate stages and review at
various stages to avoid surprises at eleventh hour
• Ensure follow ups with the package supplier and to review the QC documentation provided to
ensure the completion of SOW prior to shipping. Pre-shipment third party inspection shall be
adopted for future projects.
• Better co-ordination with contractor for improvement in HSE compliance and CR
• Proper planning and execution of the project resulted in early marketing and cost savings
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Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the management Eni Pakistan and joint venture companies for permission to
publish and present this paper at Annual Technical Conference SPE 2017.

Figure-1: Bhit Compression Phase-1 Surface Network Schematic

Figure-2: Bhit Compression Phase-2 Surface Network Schematic

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Figure-3: Bhit Compression Phase-2 Optimization Surface Network Schematic

Bhit Gas Field

Compression Phase-2

Compression Phase-1
Gas Rate (MMscfd)

GP (Bscf)

2002 2005 2008 2011 2013 2016 2019 2022

Figure-4: Bhit Compression Phase-1 and Phase-2 Forecast

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Figure-5: Work Flow Optimization Process

Figure-6: Bhit Compression Phase-2 and Phase-2 Optimization Forecast

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Bhit Gas Field

Compression Phase-2 Forecast

Compression Phase-1 Forecast

Historical Rate

Post Compression Phase-2

Production
Gas Rate (MMscfd)

2002 2005 2008 2011 2013 2016 2019 2022

Figure-7: Bhit Compression Phase-1 and Phase-2 Forecast with post compression Phase-2 actual production

2014 2015
Activity
Mar Apr May June July Jan Feb Mar Apr May
Approval of PO By
14
JVP
LOI Issued for
20
Procurement
Formal Project
17
Sectioned
AFE Approval By
10
JVP
Node-1 Frist Gas 12
Node-2 Frist Gas 29
Node-3 Frist Gas 5
Node-4 Frist Gas 12

Table-1: Bhit Compression Phase-2 Milestone