Offshore staff
NEW DELHI, India – ONGC’s crude oil production from its Western Offshore fields off India reached 325,000 b/d early this month.
This is the highest figure recorded from Mumbai Offshore in the past five years.
ONGC attributed the rise to its ongoing programs to boost production from its aging assets as well as new and marginal field developments.
It instanced the addition of new high-production wells in the marginal B-193 field, installation of high-volume electrical submersible pumps in the D1-field, and a major hydro-fracturing job. But the main factor in the recent growth was the export of well fluids from the Cluster – 7 fields to the new FPSOSterling-II.
Cluster – 7 comprises the B-192, B-45 and WO-24 marginal fields, all in the Mumbai High-Deep continental shelf of Bombay offshore basin. They are situated around 210 km (130 mi) west of Mumbai in water depths of 80-88 m (262-288 ft).
B-192 is an oil and gas field whereas B-45 and WO-24 are purely gas fields. Due to their remote location and marginal reserves ONGC opted for a cluster approach to make development commercially viable.
The FPSO arrived at the field in November. Despite unusually harsh winter conditions, the vessel became operational and ready to receive well fluids on Feb. 26, 2015.
Initial production from the Cluster fields of 7,500 b/d has since risen to more than 14,000 b/d. Engagement of the FPSO reduced back pressure substantially and improved flow from the producing wells, ONGC added.
Following the results from this and its other programs, the company is looking to further raise output from the Western Offshore fields.
03/19/2015
