The geometry of petroleum well interfers in the generation of produced water? - a study in offshore oilfields of the Potiguar Basin/Brazil

Abstract

The geometry of the oil wells can be decisive for the generation of undesirable residues from the production of oil and gas. One such waste is produced water that has increased its volume in the oil fields and has become a major environmental challenge for the managers of these fields. In view of this scenario, the objective of this research is to analyze the influence of oil well geometry on the generation of oil produced water in offshore fields. To do so, the research was developed in 8 offshore oil fields, in production phase, in the Potiguar basin, considering, as a sample, the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. A conceptual model was made up of three hypotheses, multivariate regressions. The results were presented in three stages: (I) assumptions tests, (II) presentation and analysis of regression coefficients and (III) analysis of the research hypotheses. The results show a 137.9% reduction in the volume of water produced, on average, when 1 vertical well was added to the project and a 13.8% increase for each incremental directional well in the project. The field age was the most influential variable in the research, with an average effect of 23.7% on the water produced.