Page 18 - Introduction to Petroleum Engineering

2 INTRODUCTION

Some companies form asset management teams composed of people with different
backgrounds. The asset management team is assigned primary responsibility for devel-
oping and implementing a particular project.
Figure 1.1 illustrates a hydrocarbon production system as a collection of subsys-
tems. Oil, gas, and water are contained in the pore space of reservoir rock. The
accumulation of hydrocarbons in rock is a reservoir. Reservoir fluids include the
fluids originally contained in the reservoir as well as fluids that may be introduced
as part of the reservoir management program. Wells are needed to extract fluids
from the reservoir. Each well must be drilled and completed so that fluids can flow
from the reservoir to the surface. Well performance in the reservoir depends on the
properties of the reservoir rock, the interaction between the rock and fluids, and
fluid properties. Well performance also depends on several other properties such as
the properties of the fluid flowing through the well; the well length, cross section,
and trajectory; and type of completion. The connection between the well and the
reservoir is achieved by completing the well so fluid can flow from reservoir rock
into the well.
Surface equipment is used to drill, complete, and operate wells. Drilling rigs may
be permanently installed or portable. Portable drilling rigs can be moved by vehicles
that include trucks, barges, ships, or mobile platforms. Separators are used to sepa-
rate produced fluids into different phases for transport to storage and processing
facilities. Transportation of produced fluids occurs by such means as pipelines,
tanker trucks, double‐hulled tankers, and liquefied natural gas transport ships.
Produced hydrocarbons must be processed into marketable products. Processing
typically begins near the well site and continues at refineries. Refined hydrocarbons
are used for a variety of purposes, such as natural gas for utilities, gasoline and diesel
fuel for transportation, and asphalt for paving.
Petroleum engineers are expected to work in environments ranging from desert
climates in the Middle East, stormy offshore environments in the North Sea, and

Surface
facilities

Drilling and
completion

Well
Reservoir

FIGURE 1.1 Production system.