For Saudi Aramco, keeping the nation's oil fields in optimal condition is an operational requirement. Strategic water injection is essential for long-term, maximum oil recovery. Keeping a steady supply of treated seawater flowing into an oil field reservoir through more than 600 wells is a very challenging task. We have to maintain the water pressure, quantity and quality. If the water quality specifications are not met, then it could have a negative impact on the piping integrity and the reservoir. The use of seawater means that we are able to preserve the nation's natural water resources for use by future generations. To achieve the objective of proper reservoir support, in this presentation we will focus on utilizing a new technology in our operations, which is a great enabler of safer, more efficient, more reliable, and more profitable operations.
It is a common understanding that your body needs water intake to stay fit and healthy; try going without drinking water for a while, and you'll see just why. What is less known is that the Kingdom's vast oil reservoirs also need water intake to prolong their longevity. In their own unique way, they too rely on water for optimal performance. For Saudi Aramco, keeping the nation's oil fields in optimal condition is not simply an option - it is a must.
Without water injection, oil production levels cannot be maintained and could be significantly impacted and drop. Although oil production would not immediately stop without water injection, the health of the oil field would be severely affected, causing a decline in the oil it produces over time. Injected seawater replaces the oil that is extracted from the reservoir. This offsets the pressure decrease in the field that is caused by oil production. It is this decrease in pressure that affects how much oil the reservoir can produce.
