Field development brings subsurface understanding, well architecture, production strategy and facilities requirements together into an executable plan for developing the asset.
Integrated development
A field development plan is not simply a collection of wells. It is an integrated engineering decision covering the reservoir, wells, production system, facilities, economics, operational constraints and uncertainty.
The objective is to establish a development strategy that can safely and economically recover the resource while providing sufficient flexibility to respond to what the field actually does during production.
Development workflow
Development decisions progressively convert geological and reservoir evidence into a practical programme for wells, facilities and production.
Translate the geological and reservoir understanding into a practical development concept for the asset.
Key activities
Define how the field will be developed, produced, monitored and managed throughout its productive life.
Key activities
Integrate reservoir behaviour with well placement, completion requirements and production targets.
Key activities
Establish the surface facilities and production system required to safely handle the expected field fluids and rates.
Key activities
Evaluate technical and commercial uncertainty before committing the field to a development strategy.
Key activities
Convert the selected development concept into an executable programme ready for detailed well planning and implementation.
Key activities
Integrated disciplines
Field development requires coordinated decisions across subsurface, wells, production, facilities, economics and operations.
Development decision
What development concept best matches the reservoir?
How many wells are required and where should they be placed?
How should production and injection be managed?
What facilities are required to handle the expected fluids and rates?
How does the development perform under different technical and economic scenarios?
What must be resolved before moving into well planning and drilling?
Engineering chain
Next stage
Once the development strategy is established, the focus moves to designing and executing the wells required to access the reservoir safely and effectively.