Anthony O’Connell
Head, UMO - Reservoir Management & Opportunities
North Oil Company
Anthony O’Connell is a seasoned geologist with over 25 years of global experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, specializing in reservoir characterization and field development with a strong emphasis on carbonate systems. His career spans diverse regions, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America, where he has contributed to major projects for both international and independent operators.
For the past seven years, Anthony has been based in Qatar, where he is currently serving as Head of Reservoir Management and Opportunities for multiple reservoirs. In this role, he leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for managing four major carbonate reservoirs with a mandate to maximize production, reduce decline rates, and optimize water disposal capacity. His responsibilities include defining and executing reservoir surveillance plans, identifying and maturing development opportunities, and forecasting reservoir performance. He also oversees cross-reservoir studies aimed at reservoir management initiatives and improving production.
Anthony’s expertise extends to monitoring reservoir performance through production data, pressure trends, and fluid properties, diagnosing issues such as water breakthrough and gas coning, and recommending well interventions and operational changes to enhance recovery. He provides critical input for annual reserves and corporate reporting, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
With a deep understanding of carbonate reservoir geology and a proven track record in delivering complex projects, Anthony brings a wealth of technical knowledge and practical insight to the industry. His leadership and experience continue to drive innovative solutions for sustainable reservoir development and management.
Participates in
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Infrastructure
Water disposal in giant offshore fields presents significant challenges. This paper outlines a comprehensive, data-driven approach to sustainable water disposal management in a major offshore field in Qatar, integrating geosciences and production technology to achieve zero overboarding. The integrated approach to water disposal management in this field has proven to be a game-changer, achieving zero overboarding and ensuring sustainability. This paper underscores the value of combining geoscience expertise with production technology to address complex reservoir challenges and enhance operational efficiency.
Method:
The integrated approach started from subsurface modeling and involves systematic monitoring and technology to manage water disposal effectively. Key components include an integrated subsurface static and dynamic model constrained by seismic attributes and geological understanding, utilizing advanced sensors and real-time data analytics to monitor reservoir conditions and water disposal processes continuously, implementing timely solutions to tackle schmoo build-up, which can deteriorate water injectivity and disposal efficiency, and employing acid wash procedures to restore injectivity in wells affected by schmoo build-up, ensuring sustained disposal capacity.
Practical Application:
The implementation of this integrated approach has led to significant improvements in water disposal management. Enhanced monitoring capabilities have enabled precise monitoring of reservoir conditions, leading to more informed decision-making and optimized disposal processes. Acid wash techniques have successfully restored injectivity in affected wells, maintaining efficient water disposal operations. Through systematic monitoring and innovative management practices, zero overboarding has been achieved, ensuring environmental sustainability and compliance with regulatory standards.
Conclusion:
The success of this approach demonstrates the importance of integrating geosciences and production technology in managing complex offshore reservoirs. By leveraging data-driven insights and advanced technologies, operators can overcome significant challenges and achieve sustainable water disposal practices. This case study highlights the potential for similar approaches to be applied in other offshore fields facing water disposal challenges.
Co-author/s:
Aldhyt Sukapradja, Senior Geologist, North Oil Company.
Arjun Kutty, Senior Production Technologist, North Oil Company.
Boualem Marir, Manager, North Oil Company.
