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Qatar Petroleum and Total’s joint project has reached a key phase with the installation of QP Dual Core rig, the companies have announced.
The aim of the rig is to increase hydrocarbon production in order to optimise carbon reservoir treatment, which normally causes a series of technical challenges. The QP Dual Core rig was built by Texas A&M University based on QP specifications.
The joint project is aimed at increasing production from Qatar’s carbonates oil and gas fields through the use of acid stimulation. The initiative is between the Total Research Center – Qatar (TRC-Q) and the Qatar Petroleum Research and Technology Centre (QPRTC). Laboratory core-flooding experiments, scaling-up and modelling are regularly conducted as part of the project.
The main focus of the research is on high permeability contrasted formations, aiming to mitigate unwanted water production. Injecting acid in wells and dissolving part of the surrounding rocks improve reservoir permeability and output from producing wells.
Dr Nasser Al Mohannadi, manager of QPRTC, said: “This milestone is extremely important for QP. Our Dual Core Rig is the first equipment of this kind in Qatar. Together with Total, we will improve our scientific and technical expertise, thanks to this new system.”
Dr Philippe Julien, TRC-Q director, commented: “We are very happy and proud to have reached this landmark in our joint research project. It shows our commitment in the domain of acid stimulation. In addition to highlighting the excellent relationship that QP and Total share, this milestone will contribute to developing Qatar research capabilities.”
