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Jubarte Field-Development Strategy

Article · April 2007

DOI: 10.4043/19088-MS

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OTC 19088-PP

JUBARTE FIELD – DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Bento Daher Junior, Cezar Augusto Monteiro Siqueira, Ivan do Nascimento, Iubatan Antonino Pinto, Jackson Burjack
Farias, Roberto Adelar Bonora Vieira / PETROBRAS E&P, Roberto de Oliveira Goulart / PETROBRAS R&D Center.
Copyright 2007, Offshore Technology Conference
The technological solution for assure the oil quality is
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2007 Offshore Technology Conference held in discussed.
Houston, Texas, U.S.A., 30 April–3 May 2007.
This paper describes in details the technology gaps
This paper was selected for presentation by an OTC Program Committee following review of
information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as
identified and the solutions on the works for making this
presented, have not been reviewed by the Offshore Technology Conference and are subject to heavy oil production system, in deep to ultra-deep water, a
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
position of the Offshore Technology Conference, its officers, or members. Papers presented at successful business.
OTC are subject to publication review by Sponsor Society Committees of the Offshore
Technology Conference. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this
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acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, OTC, P.O.
Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435.
The Jubarte Oil Field, discovered in January 2001, is
approximately located 80 km off the Espírito Santo State
coast, southeastern Brazil (Figure 1), under water depths
Abstract
between 1,000 and 1,500 m.
The Jubarte Field, off the Espirito Santo State coast, Brazil, is
an offshore heavy oil deepwater field that poses several
challenges. It was discovered in January, 2001 in about 1,300
m (4,400 ft) water depths and its reserves mount to 700
million barrels of 17 API oil.
Before its commercial production, several questions were
not answered yet such as the well productivity, the best
artificial lift method and the recommended production
strategy. In order to fully understand and implement a solid
definitive production system, Petrobras has decided to develop
the field step-wise, starting from a two-month extended well
test, then a Pilot Production phase, followed by two
development phases, named Phase I and Phase II.
The Phase I system includes the FPSO P-34, which plant
was adapted to produce 60,000 bpd of heavy oil in deep
waters, and four horizontal production wells. In this phase,
PETROBRAS is piloting several new technologies, regarding
artificial lift, to be used in the final Phase II development and
other PETROBRAS demands. High power downhole ESP
installed through horizontal wet X-tree and seabed installed
ESP systems are among the major innovations.
The FPSO P-34 has a site where the PETROBRAS
Research Center – CENPES - will test new technologies of
heavy oil and water separation.
Phase I started production in 2006 4th quarter and it is Figure 1 – Jubarte Oil Field location map.
expected to provide rich information regarding aquifer
strength that will optimize the water injection system of Phase The Jubarte field contains 17.1° API oil, which dead oil
II. viscosity at 20°C is about 3,000 cP, being the most viscous oil
For Phase II, in addition to the technologies tested in Phase at surface conditions ever produced in Brazil through a wet
I, other innovations are anticipated, for the processing plant of completion system. Such fluid characteristics and the
the 180,000 bopd FPSO, specifically designed for heavy oil expressive discovered volumes in this area were considered as
production. Phase II first oil is expected in 2011. a big challenge and an opportunity to develop knowledge to
The process plant solution is presented considering free exploit heavy offshore oil reservoirs in deep waters under
water knockout separator, oil stabilization on the oil economical basis. Thus, several questions should be addressed
dehydrator, the FPSO arrangement and main utilized facilities. such as the well productivity, the best artificial lift method and
2 OTC 18708

the aquifer strength. In order to answer the main questions,
PETROBRAS has decided to start an Extended Well Test,
beginning in October 2002. The excellent well productivity
results, 16,500 bpd by natural flow, made PETROBRAS issue
the declaration of commerciality of Jubarte Field in December
2002 and the phased-approach Field Development Plan as
follows:
• Production Pilot - DP FPSO Seillean;
• Phase I - Early Production System - FPSO P-34;
• Phase II – Definitive Production System - FPSO P-57.
The Pilot phase started in December 2002 and finished 3
years later, while the Phase I started in December 2006 and is
predicted to finish in 2011.
The Phase II is planned to start production in 2011. More
details can be obtained from Table 1 below.
energy flows close to source areas or long-distance confined
gravity flows with high capacity of sediment transportation.
Based in composition, texture, sedimentary structure and
geometry, the flows have been interpreted as high-density
hiperpicnal flows, whereby texturally and compositionally
immature sediments were transferred from shallow water into
deep-water settings by high-density, highly concentrated and
tractive gravity flows (quasisteady currents). Catastrophic
floods probably triggered major gravity flow events allowing
highland rivers to deliver large amounts of sediments directly
to coastal areas. A general overview of the Jubarte reservoir
showing exploratory wells is presented on Figure 3.

Table 1 - Production phases of the Jubarte Field

EWT Pilot Phase I Phase II
Production Unit FPSO FPSO
P-34 P-57
Seillean Seillean
Oil/Liquid
18.5 / 180 /
Processing 22 / 22 60 / 60
18.5 300
Capacity (kbpd)
Gas Compression
3 - - - 3
(MM m /d)
Water Injection
- - - 310 Figure 3 - General overview of the Jubarte reservoir.
(kbpd)
Producers 1 1 4 15
Pilot Phase
Production Peak 16.5 22.7 51 180
(kbpd) (2002) (2003) (2007) (2012)
At the beginning of this phase (December 2002) the ESP was
Gas Production
0.14 0.14 0.34 1.7
turned on and the well rate raised from 16,500 bpd to 20,000
3
Peak (MM m /d) bpd, limited by the plant processing capacity. In April 2003
some adjustments were made in the processing plant, reaching
Reservoir characterization and modeling the oil rate peak of 22,700 bpd.
Table 2 shows the main information gathered from
Jubarte reservoir is constituted by arkosic sandstones and EWT/Pilot and Table 3 the information gathered and with
conglomerates deposited in the Maastrichtian age and later future updates expected during Phase I.
inverted due to the role of halokinesis (Fig. 2). They are
constituted of poorly sorted and loosely packed sediments Table 2 – Information gathered from EWT/Pilot
presenting angular to sub-angular grains.
Information How

Vertical permeability DST and EWT (re)interpretations

Oil/Water contact confirmation Apparaisal and Pilot wells drilling

GOR evaluation Production data

Reservoir temperature PDG/TPT data

Oil/water separation and oil

Laboratory tests
treatment
Figure 2 – E-W cross section showing geometry of the Jubarte
Maastrichtian reservoirs.

As interpreted from cores, these reservoirs depict

amalgamated cycles with scoured bases suggesting either high
OTC 18708 3

Table 3 – Information gathered from EWT/Pilot with future updates Table 4 – Expected information from Phase I
expected
Information How
Information How
Pressure and production data
Aquifer Strength
History Match
Vertical permeability History Match

PI evolution and skin values Pressure and production data

Oil - Water relative permeability Water cut history match along the production History Match

Original Oil in place Material balance Oil/water separation and oil

FPSO plant tests
treatment

Pressure and production data

Faults characteristics High power ESP Performance and Production data
History Match

Pressure and production data

Flow vertical barriers
Seismic interpretation
In Phase I, PDG pressure was measured before production
Emulsion multiphase flow Production data start up. This information is very important to match the
performance Flow correlations matching
aquifer volume modeled in 3D geological model and its action
during the production stop the end of the Pilot Phase and the
ESP above Xtree performance Production data beginning of Phase I (almost 1 year time). The conclusion is
that the aquifer strength has a very similar behavior as was
predicted by simulation model (Figure 4). Another conclusion
Regarding reservoir aspects, it is possible to conclude that, is that the forecasted Productivity Index (PI) was confirmed by
in these production test period, the amount of information the Phase I first well.
gathered is very important for the field development History Match - Phase 1 well start up
optimization.
285 200
One of these important information is the aquifer strength. 270 Static Pressure 180
EWT/Pilot production data showed a big water volume 160

PI [m3/d/kgf/cm2]
255
Pwf [kgf/cm2]

140
connected to the oil zone but it was not possible to model the 240
120
225
aquifer strength itself, what should be known during Phase I. 210
100
Forecasted PI 80
195 60
Jubarte Phase I 180 40
165 20
150 0
In order to answer remaining questions from EWT/Pilot
/1 0 6

/1 0 6

/2 0 6

/2 0 6

/2 0 6

/2 0 6

/2 0 6

/2 06

/2 06

/2 06

/2 06

/2 0 6

/3 0 6

/3 0 6

1/ 006

1/ 007

1/ 007
07
Phase, Phase I was implemented, with production starting in
12 /20
12 /20

12 /20

12 /20

12 /20

12 /20

12 /20

12 20

12 /20

12 /20

12 /20

12 /20

12 20
12 /20

20
2

2
4/

9/

1/

1/

2/

3/
17

0
/
12

December 2006.
The FPSO P-34, which has been used by PETROBRAS as
a pilot unit in several fields, was fully modified to process
60,000 bpd of 17° API oil during Phase I. It was also modified
to operate at a 1,350 m water depth.
The expected information from Phase I regarding
reservoir, artificial lift method and production operation are
presented in Table 4.
Time [day]
P PDG Simulated P PDG Measuerd PI [m3/d/kgf/cm2]
Figure 4 –Production x Simulated data
The main impact of this result is the water injection design
in Phase II. It is important to state that the design of P-57 has
already been concluded, considering information from
EWT/Pilot Phase, regarding water injection flow rate. In case
of new information arises from Phase I, it will be used in order
to optimize the Phase II water injection system, mainly the
number of injection wells.
Phase I considers no injection wells and four production
wells, with different artificial lift methods and well layouts, as
shown in Figure 5.
4 OTC 18708
Figure 5 – Phase I Schematics
Free area was saved and tie-ins were installed on the P-34
process plant to allow the test of compact 3-phase separators
from different manufactures through R&D projects
coordinated by PETROBRAS Research Center (CENPES).
This phase is expected to last four years, with a very important
task: to gather valuable information for developing the Phase
II.
Well Engineering Challenges
Well engineers faced two main challenges in order to drill
Phase I wells, one of them related to drill and install the 1200
HP ESP inside the wellbore. The other refers to install the
sand control system in a horizontal extended well, in a low
fracture gradient formation.
Flow Assurance and Artificial Lift Devices
One of the most important technologies tested in Phase I is the
use of ESP located on the sea bed.
For this project, PETROBRAS worked with service
companies to design and build basically a submarine module
(capsule) and base which is installed in an auxiliary well in the
Jubarte field, at 1,400 m water depth. It was designed to work
with a 33 m long ESP. This pumping module, applied for one
of the production wells, allows to by-pass the ESP when using
gas-lift as the artificial lift method in case of ESP failure. The
ESP is located 200 m from the production well (Figure 6).
This distance was adopted considering safety aspects. The
next step of this concept, which will be used in Phase II,
considers the ESP replacement and installation performed by
special boat instead of by rig.
For another well, the pump will be located inside the
wellbore. Both pumps power is 1,200 HP and 4.5 KV motors
will be used to drive them. The other two wells use gas lift as
the artificial lift method.
A new umbilical system was also developed and qualified,
integrating the power cable and the electro-hydraulic functions
to reduce installation costs. This new cable is used in the wells
running ESP. The electric cable was designed to address the
requirements of high power ESP and long tieback wells.
Regarding flow assurance, transient numerical simulations
showed that thermal insulation of the flowlines is enough to
avoid wax deposition and blockage for hydrate due to the
characteristics of the Jubarte oil.
During EWT, it was observed a high degree of barium and
strontium sulfate precipitation in the ESP impellers. In Phase
I, different inhibitors will be tested to reduce this problem,
especially in the wells with ESP.
Figure 6 – Satellite well and the pumping module installed on the
sea bed.
Phase II – Definitive Development
A comprehensive technical and economical feasibility study
was conducted by the project team from mid 2003 to early
2005 in order to pick the best development concept for Phase
II. A broad range of technical alternatives were analyzed,
covering the various disciplines: type and size of floating
production unit (FPSO, TLP, TLWP), wet or dry completion,
artificial lift method, rigid or flexible flowlines and risers etc.
The low API and high viscosity oil (which, combined with
low temperatures, imposes huge challenges to flow assurance),
the high water production rates and the lack of pre-existing
infrastructure (both on and offshore) were the main drivers
taken into account during the concept selection study.
The selected development concept (Figure 7) was a
180,000 bopd FPSO, named P-57, with large liquid handling
capacity (300,000 blpd) and gas compression capacity up to 3
million std m³/d. It will be connected to 15 horizontal
production wells and 7 horizontal water injection wells
through 6" flexible risers and flowlines. The average length of
the horizontal section will be 1,000 m for producer and
injector wells, completed with open hole gravel packing.
OTC 18708
Figure 7 – Jubarte Field Phase II Project Schematics.
Artificial lift will be provided by high power 1,500 hp ESP
installed on the sea bed, 200 m from the X-tree. This design
concept allows lower workover costs in case of ESP failure,
since all the job is performed without well intervention, saving
rig time. As mentioned before, it is being studied the
possibility of using special boats for ESP replacement, instead
of the usual expensive drilling rigs. This technology will be
extensively tested during Phase I. Gas lift will be used as
contingency. For this purpose, all production wells will be
equipped with gas lift valve, but the compression capacity at
the FPSO is designed to supply lift-gas to 5 wells operating
simultaneously in the beginning of Phase II. Extra lift-gas
capacity will be obtained when exported gas volumes
decrease.
The oil will be offloaded from the FPSO to shuttle tankers.
The gas will be used as the main energy source for equipments
and the exceeding volumes will be exported to the onshore
treatment facility (a dew point adjustment and condensate
separation plant) through a 80 km, 12" rigid pipeline.
The spread moored FPSO P-57 will have the largest liquid
handling capacity in PETROBRAS fleet. Its process plant will
handle 300,000 blpd and 180,000 bopd, split into 2 separation
trains, using free water knockout separators. This large water
handling capacity is one of the key features to improve the
production profile of this deep water heavy oil project. The
free water knockout separators will allow energy savings since
free water is separated before entering the heating system. Oil
will be stabilized on the dehydrator unit. The FPSO oil storage
capacity is 1,800,000 barrels.
The project concept considers the reservoir pressure will
be maintained by water injection. Produced water will be
treated and then re-injected. In case re-injection is temporally
not possible, up to 3 storage tanks can be used to help treating
the produced water prior to its discharge in the sea. Sea water
will also be used for injection, after sulphate removal. If Phase
I results confirm the aquifer strength, the injection system will
be optimized by evaluating the reduction of the number of
injection wells and the flow rate of sea water.
Phase II gas export pipeline and onshore facility capacities
were designed to be shared with other fields in the Campos
Basin northern area, improving their economical
attractiveness. Among the fields that will be connected to the
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Jubarte’s pipeline end manifold (PLEM) are Cachalote, Baleia
Franca and Baleia Anã.
Most Phase II systems are currently under final front end
engineering and design or tender. Major contracts are expected
to be awarded by mid 2007 and its first oil is planned for 2011.
Conclusions
Jubarte Field presents one of the largest PETROBRAS
reserves, but the oil characteristics, the water depths and the
lack of local infrastructure require a special approach to
reduce technical and economical risks on both execution and
operation phases of the Definitive Production System.
The strategy was to split the Field Development Plan into
three production phases, the Production Pilot, Phase I, the
Early Production System, and Phase II, the Definitive
Production System. The first two phases gathered important
information to Phase II optimization.
During EWT and Pilot Phase, results confirmed the high
well Productivity Index, the problems related to foam, the
calibration of multiphase flow correlation and the possibility
of using the ESP outside the well.
Phase I is now under operation and brings important
information to the next phase like the aquifer strength, the
reservoir data that could not be obtained during the EWT and
Pilot Phase and the test of new technologies to be applied in
Phase II.
Another important result of Phase I is the revenue
anticipation, improving the project NPV using an existing
production unit from the PETROBRAS fleet, the P-34.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank PETROBRAS for the
permission to publish this paper. Special thanks to our
colleagues from Petrobras E&P Headquarters (E&P-ENGP),
Petrobras Research & Development Center (CENPES),
Petrobras E&P Espírito Santo Business Unit (UN-ES) and
Petrobras E&P Services Unit (E&P-SERV).
References
Bezerra, M. F. C. et al: The Appraisal and Development
Plan for the Heavy Oil Jubarte Field, Deepwater Campos
Basin, Brazil, OTC (2004).
Goulart, R O. et al: Jubarte Field Development
Architecture, Brazil, DOT (2004).