THE TYRIHANS FIELD DEVELOPMENT, NORWAY
Author:
Maryia Samoilava
General Description
The Tyrihans field is a medium oil and gas field, which is
operated by Equinor Energy AS. The field was discovered in
1982; however, production only began in 2009. There are
four owners of this field: Equinor Energy AS (58,8%), Total
E&P Norge AS (23,2%), ExxonMobil Exploration and
Production Norway AS (11,8%) and Vår Energi AS (6,2%)
[1]. Its main supply base is Kristiansund. This field is located
offshore in the Halten Bank area of the Norwegian Sea at the
water depth of 270 m [1]. The Tyrihans is quite large: 15 km
north – south x 6 km east – west [2]. It consists of two fields:
Tyrihans Nord (North), which is a gas and condensate
reservoir with a small (18 m) oil layer, and Tyrihans Sør
(South), which is an oil reservoir (35 m layer) with a gas cap
[2]. Originally recoverable reserves comprise: oil – 34.8
million sm3 o.e., gas – 43,3 million sm3 o.e., NGL – 16,0
million sm3 o.e [3].
The field is located at a depth of 3500 m under the seabed in
the Middle Jurassic Garn Formation. The Tyrihans reservoir
has a pressure of 380 bar and a temperature of 137°C [2]. Both
formations that comprise the Tyrihans field are connected
through the water-bearing horizon. Oil from those fields has
a good quality, however the Tyrihans Sør oil is lighter
(viscosity 0.15 cP) in comparison with the Tyrihans Nord oil
(viscosity 0.49 cP).
Subsea Concept
As was mentioned before, the Tyrihans field consists of two
reservoirs, which have the connection via the aquifer. This
feature causes one of the significant challenges: the separate
production of those formations is impossible [2]. In addition
to this, as the water depth is 270 m; it is an issue how to ensure
hydrocarbons transportation from the field to the
surface/shore. Moreover, there should be found a solution
how to tackle with the thin 18 meters oil layer in the Tyrihans
Nord. Finally, the field pressure should be maintained at the
high level, what is require an installation of fluid injection
system. This point also contributes to the overall complexity
of the project. However, it was found a smart solution, which
tackled with all of those challenges. A series of facilities
combined with complex technologies allowed to develop the
Tyrihans field.
After drilling an appraisal wells and estimating an overall
recoverable reserves it was found out that it is not
economically feasible to develop this field as individual one
[2]. That is why, taking into account all the neighboring
existing facilities, the solution was to develop Tyrihans like a
subsea field using the infrastructure of the nearest field –
Kristin and Åsgard B [2].
The subsea field comprises 5 four-slotted templates, 4 of
which are used as production and 1 is for water injection. One
of four production templates is located in the northern
structure (template A), the rest of three templates (B, C, D)
belong to the southern structure.
Transportation of produced hydrocarbons is realized through
the long-distance pipeline to the Kristin platform (this field
has high values of pressure and temperature (HPTP)) [2].
There are two sizes of pipeline: 16” line connects all the
production templates together, while 18” line links template
A with the Kristin facility. An overall production pipeline
length is 43 m. The pipeline is equipped with the special
heating system – direct electrical heating – to prevent
formation of hydrates and to enable a simultaneous
transportation through the same pipe of three different
substances: oil, water and gas-condensate [2]. However, such
pipeline length inevitably causes considerable friction losses;
moreover, there is a high inlet pressure (87 bar) on the first
separator stage at the Kristin platform. As a result, all this
leads to the impossibility to independently maintain high
reservoir pressure and, as a consequence, high production
rates. That is why the need of fluid injection is obvious.
Maintenance of reservoir pressure is realized via the gas
injection. For that purpose, it was constructed a 10” gas
injection line, which is supplied by the other neighboring
facility – Åsgard B [2]. The gas injection line goes from the
Åsgard B through all the production templates, while
template C uses gas only for gas lift purpose (it helps to
produce rich gas-condensate, from the gas cap of the Tyrihans
Sør) [2]. However, gas injection capacity was still not enough
for maintaining the formation pressure. That is why it was
added an additional facility for water injection, which could
cover the capacity deficiency.
The template WI is responsible for the water injection and it
lies somewhere in between the Tyrihans Nord and the
Tyrihans Sør. The template WI is equipped with two injection
pumps, which consume energy from the Kristin platform, and
two injection wells. Installation of an independent electrical
facility seemed cost ineffective that is why energy is
delivered from the Kristin to the subsea structure through a
power cable.
Subsea Special Features
There are three interesting elements in this subsea field.
Direct Electrical Heating (DEH) system
Production pipeline connects a series of production templates
with the far-away facility – Kristin platform. This solution
makes possible the development of the Tyrihans field.
However, the length of pipeline is of considerable value (43
m) and this fact causes some transportation challenges related
to the flow temperature. As the distance from the well
increases, the flow temperature gradually decreases. It can
lead to the gas hydrates formation and to the flow temperature
reduction below the value of the inlet temperature at Kristin
field (HPHT field). The solution was found in the system of
direct electrical heating of the whole pipeline. This system is
extremely beneficial, because it is not just maintain the flow
temperature, but it also eliminates the necessity in pigging.
Moreover, the DEH system can be applied to preheat the
pipeline to the necessary temperature before flow launching
(in case if it was stopped for some reasons). Operational life
of DEH system is considered as 25 years [2]. This figure was
adjusted in such a way that it should be a little bit longer, than
life period of the Tyrihans field (20 years) [2].
Advanced wells
The Tyrihans field has rather significant dimensions (15 km
x 6 km) [2]. In addition to that, both formations (northern and
southern) have the thin oil zones. It means that application of
conventional vertical wells will result in small oil recovery
factor. For such formations are usually applied horizontal
wells. The Tyrihans field is developed with advanced dual-
lateral wells. Their utilizing ensures an increase of drainage
zones, what is extremely important for lateral-extended
reservoirs. So that, the Tyrihans is equipped with 8 oil-
produced wells and 7 of them are dual-lateral wells [2]. To
provide a good enough contact area, the lengths of sidetracks
are approximately of 1,5 km [2]. In addition to that, each
branch of dual-lateral well is equipped with a series of special
devices to maintain high quality control and monitoring of the
wells. They are: Down hole instrumentation and control
system (DIACS) – to suppress gas/water breakthrough;
Gauges – to monitor pressure and temperature; Multiphase
flow meters (on the X-mas tree); Acoustic sand detectors (on
the X-mas tree) [2].
Complex system of reservoir pressure maintenance
Maintenance of reservoir pressure is of high importance in
the well development. While the pressure is high, a
production rate will be good. That is why one of the main
targets is to keep the formation pressure. In the Tyrihans field,
it is impossible to hold pressure independently. That is why
here is applied an injection system. The system comprises
injection of gas and water. Gas is supplied by the Åsgard B
field and it fulfils two roles. The first one is to increase oil
recovery and the second one is to ensure wells with the gas
lift system. The second function is of great importance,
because it helps to increase tail end production, when the
water cut is high and the pressure is low [2]. Moreover, if oil
wells were shutdown, the gas lift is required for launching
them. As far as gas capacity from the Åsgard B was not
enough sufficient for the Tyrihans pressure maintenance, the
decision was to include water injection to the whole system.
Injection of water also contributes to the overall pressure
maintenance and oil recovery increasing. As the Tyrihans
field has a high pressure of fracturing, the pumps supply both
high pressure and high rate. An overall injection system
provided an increase of the recovery factors. For the oil is
41% and for the gas is 61% [2].
Alternative Subsea Solutions
Currently used solution for transportation is to tie-back the
hydrocarbons for processing at Kristin field. Then, separated
gas is transported further to the Kårstø terminal through the
connected Åsgard Transport System (ÅTS) [1]. While oil and
condensate are sent via the pipeline to the Åsgard C storage
ship and then exported by shuttle tankers to the shore [1].
As an alternative solution it could be used a subsea factory
instead of transportation to the Kristin. The subsea factory
could include four production templates, manifold and
separator for produced gas, water and condensate. For water
injection: template with injection pump and two water
produced injection wells. For transportation of separated oil:
oil pump and transportation line to the Åsgard C storage ship.
For transportation of separated gas: gas compressor and gas
export line, which could be connected with the ÅTS for
further transportation to the Kårstø terminal. Finally, power
distribution and control module could be installed to ensure
energy supply to the whole subsea factory. This alternative
solution allows refuse from the transportation pipeline with
DEH, also there is no more need in injection of raw seawater.
However, the necessity in power supply is still present. The
energy could be supplied by the Åsgard field, because it has
much more energy reserve, than the Kristin does.
Another possible solution is an FPSO with processing
facilities. Produced water could be used for injection instead
of seawater. The shuttle tankers (the same one as for the
Åsgard C) could export produced oil. Produced gas could be
exported through the separate pipeline connected to the ÅTS
to the Kårstø terminal. Gas injection system is the same as in
the original scenario.
Reasons Why the Chosen Concept Was Selected
In the previous section, there is a discussion on possible
alternative solutions for the Tyrihans field development.
Nevertheless, the current concept is still the best for a series
of reasons:
 The field is developed by the tie-back method, this
approach significantly reduces CAPEX, because there is
no need in installation of high-priced equipment;
 Pressure is maintained by the raw seawater and gas
injection. This is feasible with the power supplied by
Kristin and the gas transported from the Åsgard B. This
solution also saves money on extra equipment;
 Application of advanced dual-lateral wells enables to
achieve a higher value of oil and gas recovery factor.
So that, it could be said that an overall project is extremely
cost-effective, because it takes advantage of all neighboring
fields accompanied with complex innovative technologies.
Key Risks of Subsea Development
An entire development of the Tyrihans subsea field seems
ideal and profitable. Yet it has some risks, which can cause
failures in the development process.
Direct Electrical Heating of pipeline
The DEH system is very important in this project, because it
fulfills serious functions: prevents gas hydrates formation and
maintains the flow temperature. In case of this system failure,
the overall field performance is in danger. As the flow
temperature declines, at a certain moment it can reach a value
of hydrate equilibrium temperature (HET), which for the
Tyrihans is 22°C [2]. It means that hydrates will start to form.
Moreover, before it will happen, the flow will cool down
below the temperature allowable at the Kristin inlet. So that,
the hydrocarbons processing will be impossible. That is why
the DEH system must be very reliable.
Power supply
The Tyrihans field is fully supplied by the neighboring fields.
In particular, the energy comes from the Kristin field via the
power cable. It is costly efficient for the Tyrihans, but at the
same time, it means that the Tyrihans fully dependent on the
Kristin. If the failure occurs at that field, all the processes will
stop at the Tyrihans, because there is no more energy.
Risks connected with dual-lateral wells
Application of dual-lateral wells is a smart solution for this
project, as there are thin horizontal oil layers in the reservoir.
Those wells ensures an increased oil production, but there is
potential hazards connected with water zones, which lay close
to the oil zones. If the well will be drilled too close to the
water zones, a water breakthrough can occur. In addition,
during the production there is a potential possibility of water
coning. That is why the drilling should be maintained
precisely.
References
1. FactPages NPD, Tyrihans field, 2019. Available:
https://factpages.npd.no/factpages/default.aspx?culture=
en&nav1=field&nav2=PageView|All&nav3=3960848.
Accessed on: Oct. 26, 2019;
2. F.R. Munkvold and T. Knoff, Statoil, “Tyrihans Field
Development Overview”, presented at the SPE
Europec/EAGE Conference and Exhibition, Vienna,
Austria, 12-15 June 2006;
3. Norwegian petroleum, Tyrihans, 2019. Available:
https://www.norskpetroleum.no/en/facts/field/tyrihans.
Accessed on: Oct. 26, 2019.