Necessity and feasibility of PetroChina mature field redevelopment

This paper presents a new concept of redevelopment of mature oilfields and defines its object on the basis of the PetroChina's oilfield development status analysis, including development stage, remaining reserves, surface engineering, and average oil recovery factor. For mature oilfield redevelopment, three conditions must be met. Firstly, the oilfield producing is over 20 years (heavy oil fields over 12 years); secondly, the recovery factor of recoverable reserves is up to 70%; thirdly, the oilfield water cut is up to 85%. PetroChina has developed special technologies and technical know-how in reservoir study, drilling and production engineering, and surface engineering since the national 11th five-year plan. Mature oilfield redevelopment is complex system engineering and should follow three principles, which are integrative deployment, staged implementation, and pilot study first. Redevelopment of mature oilfields is a necessary way and the expected increase of oil recovery factor ranges from 10% to 20%.