OPTION (Optimizing Oil Production by Novel Technology Integration) aims to significantly improve simulation tools for the prediction and control of the flow between the horizontal wells and the reservoir – with a focus on enhancing oil recovery.

As part of their investment in the project, DONG Energy will contribute with the complete subsurface dataset from the Siri and Stine fields, located in the Danish sector of the North Sea.

Dr Michael Kragh Engkilde, Subsurface Manager of Siri Asset at DONG Energy says: “With our ambition to extend the life of the Siri Area, we are continually investigating opportunities for enhancing production. The knowledge exchange with the other industry partners and academia in OPTION could be central to our further development work to improve recovery performance.”

The joint industry project breeds a close link between industry and academia and as such helps to progress research exploitation and knowledge transfer.

This €3.9 million project is a collaboration between industry partners Lloyd’s Register Energy, and its consulting business – Lloyd’s Register Consulting; LR Senergy; Welltec; DONG Energy; the Technical University of Denmark (DTU); and the University of Copenhagen. It is supported by a €2 million grant from the Innovation Fund Denmark.

Dr Kenny Krogh Nielsen, Chairman of the OPTION Steering Committee and Team Leader at Lloyd’s Register Consulting states: “DONG Energy’s participation marks a decisive step for OPTION. By applying real reservoir data, DONG Energy’s contribution is reinforcing the expected benefits and value of OPTION, and will help bridge the gap between theory and practice.”

DONG Energy will be contributing with data and advisory support to ensure proficient analysis and integration of the dataset. Dr Krogh Nielsen says: “Collectively, we are committing expertise to analyse and refine this data, which will help optimise the future development of the Siri Area.”

Christian Krüger, VP of Intervention Solutions at Welltec A/S says: “With still fewer field discoveries and a growing energy demand, there is an industry imperative to develop innovative methods for improving recovery from existing reservoirs. OPTION could help to enhance and extend production from existing fields, which would benefit the oil and gas industry’s supply chain and contribute to renewed employment and economic prospects in Denmark.”

By providing more accurate results, OPTION strives to advance decision-making and well designs with a focus on enhancing oil recovery. A one percentage point increase in the oil recovery factor for the Danish fields would represent an estimated value of DKK 40 billion to the Danish economy with today’s oil price.

More information on OPTION is available at http://www.lr.org/option/