-
The Norne Field Exploration History & Reservoir Development Strategy
Helge M. Gjerstad, lvar Steffensen and Jan I. Skagen, Statoil.
Copyright 1995, Offshore Technology Conference
This paper was presented at the 27th Annual OTC in Houston. Texas, U.S.A., 1-4 May 1995
This paper was selected for presentation by the OTC Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author@). Contents of the paper.
as presented, have not been reviewed by the OffshoreTechnology Conference and are subject to correction by the author@).The material, as presented, doss not necessarily reflect
any position of the OffshoreTechnology Conferenceor its officers. Permissionto copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. lllusirations may not be copied. The abstract
should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented.
ABSTRACT
The Norne Field was discovered in December 1991, after
8 years of discouraging exploration activity in the
Nordland /&I1 areas offshore Mid-Norway. A final well
was drilled as alternative to the scheduled relinquish-
-
ment, and a major oil field was found.
3D-seismic has been acquired, one appraisal well drilled
to confirm reserves and one exploration well has proven
minor reserves in a north-eastern extension of the field.
The reservoir comprises sandstones of Middle and Late
Jurassic age of excellent quality. Recoverable oil is 72
million Sn-? (453 million barrels).
The field will be produced by pressure maintenance, with
injection of water and produced gas. AN wells, 7 prod-
ucers, 5 water injectors and 2 gas injectors, will be
horizontal in the reservoir sections. 6 pre-drilled wells are
sufficient to obtain plateau oil production rate from prod-
uction start-up based on an average maximum well
production rate in excess of 6000 Sn-?/d. Plateau produc-
tion is expected to maintain for about 3-4 years.
Reservoir simulation models will be an important tool for
understanding the reservoir dynamics and for continuous
optimization of the development plan. Information from
the development wells will be incorporated in the
simulation model on regular basis for history matching
and further predictions.
With production start-up within 1 July 1997, a significant
reduction in time from discovery until production is achi-
eved.
References and figures at end of paper.
INTRODUCTION
The Norne Field is located in blocks 6608110 and 650811
in the Nordland II area on the Norwegian continental
shelf. The distance to shore is about 200 km (124 miles)
and 85 km (53 miles) to the Heidrun Field in the south-
west (Fig. 1 and 2). The water depth in the area is 370-
390 meter.
Nome was discovered in December 1991, and appr-
aised to the north by a second well during the winter of
1993. Based on the results from these two wells, a
development project was established with the objective
to investigate the economical potential and to prepare a
Plan for Development and Operations (PDO).
EXPLORATION HISTORY
The first well in the Nordland I&II areas was drilled by
Statoil in 1983, on a rotated fault block of Jurassic age. It
was proven dry. This drilling was followed by another 5
wells on the Trendelag Platform in the Nordland I area, -
all dry wells (Fig. 2).
After the discouraging result on the Platform, the oil
companies once again moved their interest to the west,
where such promising discoveries as the Heidrun Field
had been done further south in 1985.
The 10B concession round in 1986 focused on the
Denna Terrace and the Nordland Ridge north of the
Heidrun Field. Drilling of five wells in the period 1987 to
1989 on the Nordland Ridge on Cretaceous and Jurassic
play models on the Darnna Terrace did not increase the
optimism for the area.
The Production License 128 (PL 128) was awarded in
February 1986 and comprises blocks 6608110 and
6608111.
The first two wells in the Norne license were both
negative. The work commitment within the license was
fulfilled by the end of 1989 and the licensees were ready
for a 100% relinquishment of the area. The geologists
however, claimed that there still were possibilities within
the acreage. The partnership agreed to await the result
of the drilling of a Jurassic prospect to the south of the
license, awarded in the 12B concession round in the
spring of 1989 ( PL159).
The drilling of the first well in PL159, operated by Statoil,
took place in the summer of 1990 and the Alve gas
discovery was made (Fig. 2). The geologists firm attitude
had succeeded. The Alve discovery proved that gas and
oil were generated in the area.
In the springtime of 1991 a simple model based on
fill-spill from Alve to a Jurassic horst structure in the
southern part of PL128 was presented to the partners as
a possible next well target. This was met with substantial
skepticism. However, it was decided to drill a well during
the winter 1991-92. In December 1991 the discovery of
dome was made. The well proved oil and gas in
sandstones of Lower and Middle Jurassic age.
The total hydrocarbon column is 135 meter, - a 110
meter oil column with an overlying gas cap (Fig. 3).
Based on this encouraging results, it was decided to shot
a 3D seismic survey in a larger part of the license area.
The fourth well, 6608110-3, was drilled on the northern
part of the Norne structure during the winter of 1993. The
well confirmed the results from the discovery well and
proved the extension of the field to the north. Based on
the results from these two wells a development project
was established to investigate the economical potential
and prepare a Plan for Development and Operations
(PDO).
A fifth well, 6608110-4, was drilled in the winter of 1994
on a structure approximately 3 km to the east of Norne.
The well proved a small oil accumulation in the same
reservoir rocks as on the Norne Field.
RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION
The hydrocarbons in the Norne Field are located in
sandstone formations of Lower and Middle Jurassic age.
The total volume in place is estimated to 160 million Sm3
(1 billion bbl) of oil and 29 billion Sm3of gas of which 18
billion Sm3 are associated gas and 11 billion Sm3 are in
the gas cap.
The Norne Field is part of a horst structure. The structure
is relatively flat and the gas cap extends throughout most
of the field (Fig. 3). The reservoir comprises five forma-
tions; Garn, Ile, Ror, Tofte and Tilje Formations. The
Garn and Ile Formations are separated by the No:
Formation (shaleslnon-reservoir), which is expected to
be continuous throughout the field but locally broken by
major faults. The main oil volumes, approximately 80%,
are located in the Ile and Tofte Formations and 95% of
the free gas is located in the Garn Formation above the
non-reservoir Not Formation.
The seismic interpretation is based on 3D seismic data of
good quality. Structure depth maps forms the framework
for the geological model together with biostratigraphical,
sedimentological and petrophysical analysis.
The petrophysical interpretation shows good reservoir
properties in general, but vary vertically through the
reservoir (Fig. 4).
The shallowest part of the reservoir is at a depth of 2525
meter Mean Sea Level (MSL). The gas-oil and oil-water
contacts are measured at 2580 and 2688.5 meter MSL,
respectively. The reservoir pressure and temperature are
measured to 273 bar and 98.3 degrees Celsius at a
depth of 2639 meter MSL.
Results from compositional and PVT analysis indicate
one common hydrocarbon system for the field. The oil
have a viscosity of 0.63 cP and a gas-oil ratio of 111
Sm31Sm3.The CO, and HS , content is measured to 0.9
mole% and 0-4 ppm, respectively.
RESERVOIR DEVELOPMENT
Several drive mechanisms have been evaluated for the
Norne Field. These are:
Pressure depletion
Gas injection
Water injection
Combined gaslwater injection.
The general objective for such evaluations have been to
establish a drainage strategy which:
Maximizes the net present value of the field
development and
optimize the ultimate recovery.
The establishment of drainage strategy is illustrated in
figure 5.
Based on reservoir simulation studies of different drive
mechanisms, pressure depletion and gas injection have
been excluded due to low ultimate recovery.
Water injection and combined gaslwater injection
showed fairly similar results with a plateau period of 5-6
years and recoverable reserves in the range of 77-81
million Sm3 (485-510 million bbl). Water injection gave a
slightly longer plateau production and lower ultimate
recovery (Fig. 6). Economically the two alternatives were
almost equal.
Water injection as drive mechanism requires export of
gas. Neither a gas sales solution has been established,
nor is a separate structure for gas disposal identified.
Based on this framework, combined gas and water
injection has been chosen as the primary drive
mechanism for the Norne Field. The development
concept has the flexibility to change drive mechanism
towards water injection if an economically attractive gas
sales solution evolves.
The reservoir pressure is close to hydrostatic, and
voidage replacement of produced fluids are required to
maintain plateau production and obtain a high ultimate
recovery. In the development plan, the reservoir pressure
will be maintained by re-injection of produced gas in the
gas cap and water injection in the water zone. The
injected water will be a mixture of raw sea water (no
deoxygenation) and produced water.
Initially, the field was planned developed by 20 deviated
wells, 11 production wells, 7 water injection wells and 2
gas injection wells. An optimization study showed several
advantages by changing from deviated to horizontal
wells. These advantages are:
Prolonged plateau production and increased
ultimate recovery (Fig. 7)
Higher well rates (in excess of 6000 Sm3ld I
38.000 bblld) and thereby reduced number of
wells
Improved drainage efficiency (delayed gas and
water breakthroughs in the production wells)
Reduced water production.
All wells are planned to be drilled horizontally, both
production and injection wells. The horizontal sections
varies from 200-500 meter for the gas injectors to 500-
1200 meter for producers. Further optimization will be
performed on the length of the horizontal sections.
Based on the results from the optimization study, it is
decided to develop the field with horizontal wells. In the
current drilling program it is planned to drill 7 production
wells, 5 water injection wells and 2 gas injection wells.
Three additional production wells are planned after 3-4
years to prolong plateau production and to improve area
sweep.
An evaluation of uncertainties in the production profile
based on parameters as in-place volumes, reservoir
communication, relative permeability and well production
rates, has been performed. The results from this
evaluation gives a most likely plateau period of 3-4 years
and a cumulative oil production of 72 million Sm3 (453
million bbl). The risked production profile is used in the
economical evaluations.
PRE-DRILLING
In order to ensure a rapid production build-up, 6 wells are
planned pre-drilled, 4 production wells, 1 water injector
and 1 gas injector. During the pre-drilling and early
production period, reservoir simulations will be an
important tool for optimizing further well locations.
The two most important factors to focus on during the
pre-drilling phase are the structural uncertainty in the
southern and northern part of the reservoir and the
production potential.
Two exploration wells are drilled on the main structure of
the Norne field, and both wells are located in a high
position on the structure. Due to uncertainty in the depth
conversion modeling, structural depth of the top reservoir
is uncertain away form the two wells drilled (southern and
northern part of the reservoir). The structural uncertainty
is considered to have minor influence on the oil in-place
volume due to the gas cap covering most of the
structure. The gas cap volume and distribution of the oil
within the reservoir formations can change compared to
the current interpretation. This may alter the well
locations and completion intervals for several of the
wells.
The pre-drilling program will emphasis on improving
structural control.
WELL LOCATIONS
The "final" well locations will be established through
reservoir simulation studies by the end of 1995. Well
locations will be continuously optimized based on
reservoir information from development wells.
The main uncertainty in producing the Norne Field is the
communication between the gas cap and the production
wells, both through faults and vertical flow restrictions as
shales and carbonate strings. The production wells will
be located and completed with the aim to delay gas and
water breakthrough by optimizing the vertical distance
from the gas cap and the water zone and utilizing
horizontal flow restrictions. If massive gas breakthroughs
should occur, it may be required to side-track and
complete the producers deeper in the oil column.
There will, to the extent possible, be established a drilling
program which allows for evaluation of the latest well
results before the next well in the area or well type
(producerlinjector) is drilled. This can be obtained by
alternating between producers and injectors andlor
between areas.
COMPLETION OF WELLS
Cased hole logging during production will be run to:
Oil producer(s) in the Garn Formation will be completed ldentify the production and wellstream composition
structural and stratigraphical deep to delay gas (gas-oil ratio and water cut) from the individual
breakthrough from the gas cap and minimize gas reservoir zones. This logging will be performed
production over time. In the recommended development with the purpose to improve the understanding of
scheme only one well is planned to be completed in the the reservoir dynamics and to evaluate possible
Garn Formation. Structural uncertainty in the southern zone isolations.
and northern part of the field can alter the distribution of ldentify movements in the fluid contacts (in
oil and gas in the reservoir formations (above and below selected key wells).
the Not Formation) compared to the current inter-
pretation. This may require completion of more wells in
The reservoir pressure will be monitored by permanent
the Garn Formation.
downhole pressure gauges in all production wells. These
pressure measurements, together with FMT pressure
All water injectors are planned to be completed in the
measurements after production start-up and pulse
water zone in the Tilje Formation. To reduce the potential
testing, will be important for the reservoir description
for sulfate scale precipitation (occurs when sea water
(reservoir communication paths).
breaks through in the producers) and reservoir souring
(occurs with extensive circulation of sea water in the
Injection of tracers in the water and gas injection wells
reservoir), the water injectors will initially be perforated in
will be considered. Tracer injection can give valuable
the lower part of the Tilje Formation. The perforated
information about reservoir communication and also give
intervals should be located as low as possible in the Tilje
an early detection of sea water breakthrough in the
Formation to obtain as much formation water between
production wells.
the injectors and producers as possible. This must be
balanced against injectivity and reservoir communication
Reservoir simulation models will be an important tool for
for pressure support.
understanding the reservoir dynamics and for continuous
optimization of the development plan. All static reservoir
The gas injectors are planned to be completed in the
information from the development wells, reservoir
upper part of the Garn Formation, which is the most
pressure information, information from cased hole
permeable part of the Garn Formation. This completion
logging and production history data will be incorporated
should result in high injectivity and maximum vertical
in the simulation model on regular basis for history
distance between the gas injection points and the
matching and further predictions.
production wells.

Completion strategy will be further evaluated through the

planned reservoir engineering work during 1995, prior to
pre-drilling start-up. In this evaluation, special emphasis
will be put on uncertainties in reservoir description.
During the pre-drillingldrilling phase, completion strategy
will be continuously optimized.
RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT DURING PRODUCTION
During production, reservoir management work will
consist of:
Establish a well-founded reservoir description
(static and dynamic)
Implement this knowledge into practical reservoir
management to maintain plateau length as long as
possible and to obtain a high ultimate recovery
with sound economic assumptions.
Production testing will be performed by a multiphase
flowmeter installed on the production vessel. Testing will
be performed on a regular basis. The main purpose of
the testing is to measure the production potential and
wellstream composition (gas-oil ratio and water cut) and
to allocate production to the individual well.
APPLIED RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT
Applied reservoir management can be defined as the
continuous work and actions performed in order to
optimize the production based on all available reservoir
and production information. This process can be devided
in two separate parts:
Continuously optimization of productionlinjection
from individual wells and the reservoir as a whole
to optimize the production.
Workoverldrilling i.e. zone isolations, additional
perforations, side-tracking of wells, additional wells
or drilling of dedicated wells to produce "difficult"
oil.
The gas front movement and gas coning will be
continuously evaluated to optimize the injection strategy.
A possible fall back solution to the present injection
strategy is to inject gas in a limited area of the reservoir
(some fault blocks). The monitoring program will
emphasize on cross fault communication (FMT-
measurements, pressure monitoring, pulse testing, tracer
injection) in case an increasing cycling through the
reservoir develops.
FURTHER GAS EXPORT
During evaluation of the drainage strategy for the Norne
field, several scenarios with respect to gas export have
been evaluated as alternatives to the recommended
development plan.
The reservoir simulation results show that both gas
export and gas injection are feasible gas solutions for the
field. Development with gas export requires a gas export
solution, either gas export for sale or gas disposal into a
separate structure. However, presently neither a gas
sales solution is established nor a separate structure for
gas disposal is identified. If a gas export solution should
evolve, the development concept has the flexibility to
change drive mechanism (fully of partly) towards water
injection. Change in the drive mechanism will be subject
to a thorough technical and economical evaluation.
Two important factors with regard to a possible future
gas export solution should be emphasized:
Drainage of the reservoir with gas export requires
different well locations (some of the wells) and
completions compared to the recommended
development plan. A future gas export solution
should preferably be decided upon prior to pre-
drilling start-up (summer 1996)to avoid additional
costs for recompletion/sidetrackingof wells.
Reservoir simulations show an increase in the
liquid production in the scenarios with gas export.
To handle this possible increased liquid produc-
tion, the process facilities will be prepared for
increasing the liquid capacity by installing an
additional inlet separator.
Fig. 1 - Location of Norne Field.
529
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Statoil wish to acknowledge the Norne license owners for
permission to publish this paper:
Norsk Hydro Produksjon a s
Saga Petroleum a s
Enterprise Oil Norge Ltd.
Norsk Agip N S
REFERENCES
Adlam, J.: "The Norne Field Development
Overview", OTC paper no. 7925,l-3May 1995.
Adlam, J.: "Norne: The Organization Challenge I
Implementing Change, OTC paper no. 7923,
1-3May 1995.
Odland, J.: "The Norne Production Ship - Design
Considerations", OTC paper no. 7926,
1-3May 1995.
Solberg, L. and Urdahl, P.: "The Norne
Production Ship - Topside Design and
Construction Strategy", OTC paper no. 7927,
1-3May 1995.
Thorvaldsen, T.J.: "Norne Crude Oil Quality,
Transport and Marketing", OTC paper no. 7928,
1-3May 1995.
Fig. 4 - Geological zonation and tvvical
- . rock .~ r o. ~ e r t i e s
(well 6608110-2).

I Objective: Drive mechanism :Combinedgavtwater injection

- Maximize net present value - High ultimate recovery
- Optimize ultimate recovery - Do not require gas export solution

[ Drainage Strategy I

Completion Strategy: Well Type :Horizontal Wells

- Obtain high initial rates - Accelerated production
- Delay gas and water breakthrough - Increased ultimate recovery
- Increased well rates
- Reduced water production
 30.000
Deviated Wells

.-
C
-
g 10.000
u
-.s 5.000 -

0 5 10 15 20 25 5 10 15 20 2!
Time (years) Time (years)

Fig. 6 - Drive mechanism. Fig. 7 - Well type.

8'00'

- 9 L Oil Producer

-.$!-@ Gas Injector

Block 660811 0
66'00'
Block 650811

Fig. 8 - Location of development wells.

532