Petrovietnam Journal

Application of surface geochemistry in petroleum exploration offshore Vietnam

Le Hoai Nga — 2021-04-01

Surface geochemical techniques have been applied in oil and gas exploration for more than 100 years. It is a useful tool to reduce exploration and development risks and costs. A number of surface geochemical exploration surveys carried out by oil and gas contractors offshore Vietnam have produced good results to facilitate the contractors' orientation work.

This paper provides the results of some case studies in oil and gas exploration offshore Vietnam.

Characteristics of Devonian carbonate reservoir in North Oshkhotynskoye field, Russia

Tran Thi Thanh Thuy — 2021-04-01

Results of petrography and core analysis, FMI and log interpretation have been integrated by the Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI) to characterise carbonate reservoirs in the North Oshkhotynskoye field in Russia. In this area, carbonate reservoirs were deposited in warmly shallow marine environment with blue-green algae and stromatoporoid in Devonian formation. These carbonate reservoirs experienced multiple diagenetic processes such as cementation, recrystallisation, dolomitisation or dissolution which affected the poroperm properties of reservoir rocks. The quality of carbonate reservoirs in the North Oshkhotynskoye field is rated from average to good with mainly interparticle porosity, fractures and vugs.

The paper divides the carbonate reservoirs in the North Oshkhotynskoye field into three types: Type 0 - tight carbonate reservoir, Type 1 - interparticle carbonate reservoir, and Type 3 - vuggy carbonate reservoir, to support the building of structural model in the next study process. Currently, oil has mainly been produced in this carbonate reservoir of the North Oshkhotynskoye field with cumulative oil production from 2015 to 2018 reaching more than 700.000 tons.

Using genetic algorithm for experimental correlation in determining minimum miscibility pressure for CO2 injection

Nguyen Viet Khoi Nguyen — 2021-04-01

The paper presents the method of using the genetic algorithm (GA) to build the empirical equation for determining the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) during CO₂ injection into oil reservoirs. Compared with conventional experimental models such as Slimtube, Rising Bubble, or Vanishing Interfacial Tension (VIT), the GA method makes it easier to determine MMP, has high reliability as well as saves time and costs.

Solution for recovery of permeate gas from Ca Mau Gas Processing Plant to use as fuel for auxiliary boiler and reformer furnace at Ca Mau Fertilizer Plant

Nguyen Van Binh — 2021-04-01

Permeate gas mainly contains CO₂ (54%) and CH₄ (43.6%), with a high calorific value of about 16,625 KJ/Nm³ (equivalent to about 47% of the calorific value of the natural gas that Ca Mau Fertilizer Plant is using). At the Ca Mau Gas Processing Plant, approximately 36% of permeate gas is used for burning in the heater, while the rest (about 70,000 Sm³/day) is burned at the flare stack, causing huge waste in terms of energy.

The paper evaluates the possibility of using permeate gas as fuel for the auxiliary boiler and the reformer furnace at Ca Mau Fertilizer Plant, and propose feasible and cost-effective technical solutions to fully recover the permeate gas currently disposed by burning at the flare stack of the Ca Mau Gas Processing Plant.

Methodology for reorganisation of a business from “Zero Point”

Hoang Thi Dao — 2021-04-01

In order to respond to changes in oil and gas market demand, technological developments, energy transition, and the Covid-19 pandemic, oil and gas companies are radically changing their strategies and organisation models to increase efficiency and resilience. The paper introduces a new approach recently being applied by companies around the world which is to rebuild an organisation starting from zero (zero-based organisation, ZBO). This approach can make a real difference in business operation and how to work in a simpler and more streamlined, focused, flexible and efficient way, thus increasing companies’ competitiveness and sustainable development.

A breakthrough in 3D seismic interpretation for stratigraphic reservoir detection

Nguyen Xuan Thinh — 2021-04-01

The paper presents the “global seismic interpretation method”, developed by Pauget et al. [1]. A 3D Relative Geologic Time (RGT) model was obtained directly from the 3D seismic volume which is the outcome of this method. In the 3D RGT model, the geologic time is continuous, and a relative geologic age can be interpolated and assigned for to every voxel of the seismic volume.

The dataset in this study is the Maui 3D seismic volume from Taranaki Basin, offshore New Zealand. A stack of four hundred continuous stratigraphic horizons was quickly produced from the Maui RGT model, showing clearly and in detail the geological features of even complicated areas where classical methods failed to achieve good results. Besides, integrated with seismic attributes such as RMS amplitude and/or Spectral Decomposition, the horizon stack enables identification of geological elements, stratigraphic insights, and paleo-depositional environments in greater detail for stratigraphic reservoir detection and characterisation.

Risk based inspection methodology (RBI) for pressure vessels of oil and gas processing facilities

Nguyen Thanh Thai — 2021-04-01

Risk based inspection methodology (RBI) has been applied in analysis and assessment of risks that equipment can cause, especially equipment/system with high level of risk, in order to optimise resources in the development of equipment inspection and maintenance plans.

Based on the provisions of Vietnamese law, international regulations (with API and ASME standards as the foundation) and the actual application of RBI methodology in Vietnam, the Petrovietnam Maintenance and Repair Corporation (PVMR) has studied and established the risk based inspection methodology for pressure vessels of oil and gas processing facilities.