ITF – Progress Update

ITF was established in late 1999 and is owned and supported by 16 oil and gas operating and service companies. Since then, ITF has established itself as one of the key routes through which these operating companies focus their technology development funding. Initially, our focus was on facilitating developments from the “established idea” stage to proof of concept. In this, much success has been achieved with 58 Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) launched and sponsor commitment of £14.6 million across the facilities, wells and subsurface areas. As this activity has become established, ITF has broadened its focus in both directions along the “technology funnel” – bringing high potential embryonic ideas forward through the Pioneer Programme and, at the other end, helping promote field application of developments to demonstrate potential. Delivery of useable new technology is what is required. For further information on ITF, contact Duncan Anderson (d.anderson@oil-itf.com).

In the last article on ITF subsurface activities we highlighted the move towards a theme-based approach for development of novel technologies. The two Programmes launched in early 2002 – “Seismic Reservoir Characterisation” and “Structurally Complex Reservoirs” - were also discussed. For ITF, this approach continues to be a very effective way of developing projects which focus on the key business needs of the operators, both in their UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) assets and elsewhere around the world. Following launch of the above programmes, themes addressing “Low Permeability Reservoirs” and “High Resolution Reservoir Imaging” have been established.

Seismic Reservoir Characterisation and Structurally Complex Reservoirs Programmes

The nine projects within these two programmes have been running for approximately one year and some very interesting outputs are now being generated. As part of the programmes, ITF is organising a one day Research Conference, open to participants only, in June. The purpose of this is to maximise the synergies possible from this programme approach to technology development.

Low Permeability Reservoirs

This was the third subsurface theme developed by ITF. The rational behind it was that an integral part of meeting the PILOT 2010 production target of 3 million boe per day from the UKCS will be the successful exploitation of the large volumes of hydrocarbon which are contained in relatively low permeability reservoirs.

To address this issue, the theme focused on three areas – (a) identification of what is genuinely low permeability pay, (b) the associated fluid dynamics within the reservoir and near-wellbore region and (c) for gas condensate reservoirs, effective remedial action targeted at the removal of the effects of condensate banking.

Following the review process by industry experts, four key projects have been selected and are now being launched as the Low Permeability Reservoirs Programme, supported by six sponsors.

High Resolution Reservoir Imaging

This is the most recent theme to be developed. A slightly different approach has been taken here, with the key objective being to encourage highly innovative ideas, from researchers both within the oil and gas sector and beyond (medical, defence etc.), which have the potential to radically improve on currently achievable reservoir imaging resolution. A challenge of a factor of four improvement in resolution was set for researchers.

The review of submissions is underway currently, but it is clear that some very innovative and high potential ideas have been generated.

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