SPE-172858-MS

De-risking a Heavy Oil Development - A Case Study of the Bentley Field,

UKCS Block 9/3b
B.H. Brennan, C. Lucas-Clements, S. Kew, and P.F. Dempsey, Xcite Energy Resources plcs

Copyright 2014, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE International Heavy Oil Conference and Exhibition held in Mangaf, Kuwait, 8 10 December 2014.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
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Abstract
The Bentley Field, located on the UK continental shelf in block 9/3b in 110 m of water, contains
approximately 900 MMstb in-place of heavy (10 to 12 oAPI) viscous (1500 cP) crude. The field is
four-way dip closed at uppermost Palaeocene, lowermost Eocene, Dornoch sandstone level, and covers an
area of about 16 Km by 5 Km.
An appraisal programme culminating in the 2012, 9/03b-7, 7Z extended well test (EWT), has addressed
the key technical concerns associated with developing the viscous crude in an offshore environment. The
programme demonstrated how sustainable commercial flow-rates can be achieved through the selection
of a suitable completion design, including a downhole electrical submersible pump (ESP), a downhole
diluent injection strategy, and through keeping within an appropriate operating pressure and temperature
envelope. It further demonstrated that the movement of water from the underlying aquifer into the
production bore proceeds in a predictable and manageable way, that produced water and oil can be
separated even though emulsions are created in the ESP, and that water can act as a carrier fluid within
the export pipeline.
The information from the EWT has been used to define and de-risk the field development design which
is currently estimated to deliver 257 MMstb of 2P Reserves over a 35 year production period. In addition
it is estimated that 48 MMstb of 2C Contingent Resources could be commercially extracted beyond the
end of the currently planned facilities life. Investigations are underway to accelerate this tail-end
production, with initial studies indicating that a polymer flood, enhanced oil recovery scheme, could be
attractive.
This paper describes the appraisal programme, the lessons learnt and how these have been applied in
designing the field development plan.

Introduction
Development of Heavy Oil
With many basins reaching a late stage of maturity and with much of the production to date being from
conventional oil fields, an increasing percentage of the yet-to-be-developed oil can be classified as heavy
oil with a gravity of less than 20 oAPI (Jayasekera & Goodyear 1999; Morton et al 2005). Some of the
barriers that have prevented development of heavy oil compared to conventional oil are:

SPE-172858-MS

Figure 1Bentley Field Location

Discounted sales price;

Increased per barrel production cost;
Lower recovery per well;
Requirement for artificial lift.

On a like-for-like basis, a reservoir containing conventional oil will always look more commercially
attractive than one with heavy oil but the relative lack of development of heavy oil to date means that there
are more opportunities for sizeable developments in the heavy oil arena. Advances in technology, in
particular in the areas of horizontal drilling, multi-lateral technology and artificial lift has helped narrow
the gap between heavy oil and conventional fields from a production perspective. This, coupled with a
continuing high oil price, makes development of heavy oil fields increasingly attractive. Furthermore
many heavy oil fields are located in shallow, relatively well-imaged reservoirs, with relatively low
appraisal costs, thereby generally resulting in relatively low geological uncertainty.
The majority of producing heavy oil comes from onshore settings. Development of heavy oil in
offshore environments presents additional challenges, most notably that higher well productivity is
required to offset increased unit costs.
The Bentley field provides a good example of a giant, offshore, low geological risk field that has been
undeveloped for nearly forty years due to the challenges outlined above. An appraisal programme carried
out by Xcite Energy Resources plc (Xcite) between 2008 and 2012 has demonstrated how these challenges
can be overcome with new technology and favourable oil prices.

The Bentley Field

The Bentley Field, located on the UK continental shelf in block 9/3b in 110 m of water, contains
approximately 900 MMstb in-place of heavy (10 to 12 oAPI) viscous (1500 cP) crude (Figure 1). The field

SPE-172858-MS

is four-way dip closed at uppermost Palaeocene,

lowermost Eocene, Dornoch sandstone level, and
covers an area of about 16 Km by 5 Km at a depth
of around 1.1Km TVDss (Figure 2). The reservoir is
high porosity (33%), net to gross pay (90%) and
with ultra-high apparent horizontal permeabilities
approaching 50 Darcies based on flow-test measurements, but consistent with unconsolidated sand
(Beard & Weyl 1977). The field is licensed to, and
operated by, Xcite at 100% working interest. Following an extensive appraisal programme, a development is planned of which 257 MMstb of 2P
Reserves are estimated to be recovered over a 35
year production period. In addition, it is estimated
that 48 MMstb of 2C Contingent Resources could
be commercially extracted beyond the end of the
currently planned facilities life.
The field was discovered in 1977 with the
Amoco 9/3-1 vertical exploration well, which discovered an 81ft oil column in high quality Dornoch
sandstone (Table 1). The field was subsequently
licensed to Conoco who appraised it with two further vertical wells (9/3-2A and 9/3-4) in the 1980s.
These confirmed the presence of a large accumulation, estimated at that time to be similar to todays
figure at around 900 MMstb in-place. Attempts to
gas-lift the 9/3-1 well failed due to the viscous
nature of the Bentley crude, whilst an attempt to
flow 9/3-2A using a downhole pump failed due to
Figure 2Bentley Depth structure map showing well locations
mechanical reasons.
With two failed tests and an oil price below
$20/bbl Conoco relinquished the license in the mid 1990s. There was no further activity on the block until
2003 when Xcite applied for, and were awarded, a Promote License on the block during the UK 21st
Licensing Round. This was the first licensing round in which Promote Licences had been awarded and
represented an important initiative from the UK licensing authorities to encourage small and new-start
companies to acquire and promote acreage. The license was converted to a Traditional License in 2005
prior to Xcites first appraisal well (9/03b-5) in 2008.

De-risking the Field what was required?

When Xcite acquired the license it was already known, based on recovered samples, that the crude was
heavy and viscous but the full nature of the crude and its flow properties were poorly understood. The
Bentley structure was reasonably well imaged on seismic and it was clear that it was a giant field,
approaching 1 billion barrels in-place. This was considered an important factor in making an offshore
heavy oil field viable due to the economies of scale that could be captured. All wells had demonstrated
excellent reservoir quality with high net to gross and there was therefore reasonable confidence in
reservoir connectivity and volume. It had been demonstrated that the field had a large underlying aquifer
in excess of 400 ft thickness, which was likely to be good for bottom-drive and pressure support but which
also - due to the adverse oil-water mobility ratio - had the potential to result in large volumes of produced

SPE-172858-MS

Table 1Early (pre-Xcite) Appraisal Wells

water during any development. In summary, although there was reasonable confidence in the geological
description of the field, it was clear that prior to development sanction a number of questions required
answering:
1. What is the nature of Bentley fluid and its flowing properties?
2. Can Bentley fluid be flowed at commercial rates?
3. Can oil-rate be sustained following water break-through?
4. Can development plan contact a large area of the field at reasonable cost to ensure good field
recovery?
5. Can produced fluids be processed and exported efficiently?
6. Can exported fluids be sold at a reasonable market price?
An appraisal programme was instigated between 2008 and 2012 that would address these fundamental
questions and help confirm Bentley as a viable development.

Recent Appraisal History

Well 9/03b-5
Xcites first well on the field (9/03b-5) was a vertical appraisal well, drilled at the end of 2007 and
flow-tested in January 2008. This well addressed the first of the questions listed above, in that its primary
aims were to recover oil to surface to determine the nature of the fluid, to demonstrate that flow to surface
could be achieved with a downhole electrical submersible pump (ESP) and, in so doing, to establish the
flow properties of the system. To maximise the chances of achieving these goals the well was drilled as
a twin of the earlier 9/3-2A well (Figure 2) which had the best reservoir properties to date.
The short (seven hour) flow-test achieved these goals, flowing 10.5 oAPI crude to surface from an 87
ft oil column at a rate of 125 stb/d (Table 2). Whilst the rate was far lower than would be required for
commercial flow, sufficient data was gathered to enable a prediction that commercial flow rates could be
achieved from horizontal wells with the right completion and right operating parameters. Many important
lessons were learnt relating to this appraisal well that would help to deliver commercial rates in future
wells:

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Table 2Recent (Xcite) Appraisal Wells

The sands in the oil-leg are largely uncemented and are highly friable. The mud system and drilling
parameters selected for the 9/03b-5 well resulted in significant wash-out in the oil-leg. With this
improved understanding of the formation and how it reacts during drilling operations a system was
developed for future wells to minimise such wash-outs. This is described as part of the 9/03b-6
discussion.
The sandface completion was a cemented and perforated liner. Due to the large washouts this
resulted in poor contact with the reservoir and a high skin of around 30 or more. This was a
significant factor in not achieving high rates. Future completions would aim to maximise sandface
connectivity through use of sand screens.
The ability to flow oil to surface at a reasonable rate is closely linked to operating conditions and
fluid properties. There was only a limited period in which to achieve a good flow rate before a
weather event would shut operations down. The chokes were therefore opened to try and achieve
this rate. This however proved detrimental as it dropped the crude below its bubble point. This
allowed gas to be released, which then occupied much of the production bore and left a liquid with
a significantly increased viscosity (Figure 3). The result of this was a well that experienced
significant slugging and back-pressure on the ESP. A plan was put in place to design future wells
so that they could be operated whilst maintaining reasonably high pump intake and well-head
pressures in excess of 700 psi.
The reservoir itself had a reasonable productivity index and, if a horizontal reservoir section were
to be drilled with a low skin completion, then there should be sufficient reservoir PI to achieve
commercial flow rates. Future tests and development wells would therefore utilise horizontal
drilling.
Wells 9/03b-6 and 9/03b-6Z
The 9/03b-6 well was an S shaped pilot hole drilled in November 2010 to identify reservoir structure
and to characterise the reservoir properties. An oil column of 113 ft was confirmed and excellent reservoir
quality was again identified (Table 2). Immediately following a comprehensive data gathering exercise the
9/03b-6Z horizontal sidetrack was drilled, completed and flow-tested. The horizontal reservoir section
was successfully geosteered using a deep reading resistivity MWD tool to track the roof of the reservoir
thereby delivering 1821 ft of 100% net to gross, high porosity, sandface. The well was completed with

SPE-172858-MS

Figure 3Bentley Crude Viscosity

a wire-mesh screen run to TD and a downhole ESP. The resultant 36 hour flow-test delivered a surface
constrained, final stabilised rate, of 2,900 stb/day. This 9/03b-6 and 6Z wells confirmed many of the
lessons learnt from the 9/03b-5 and pointed the way to further improvements for future production wells.
In particular:

Despite the unconsolidated nature of the reservoir a reasonably in-gauge wellbore was achieved
through the reservoir. This was achieved by a combination of low mud flow-rate with jetting
focussed forwards rather than sideways, high drilling speeds with pick-up off bottom and
hole-cleaning between stands, and somewhat overbalanced mud containing large bridging agents.
The in-gauge hole resulted in the ability to geosteer close to the reservoir roof whilst avoiding
exiting the reservoir or drilling any non-reservoir section.
The resultant reservoir section was 100% net to gross and high porosity with a high productivity
index (PI) and gave a maximum stand-off from the oil-water contact which, for a production well,
would lead to delayed water-breakthrough and maximum oil recovery (Figure 4).
With wellhead pressure and pump inlet pressure maintained above 700 psi there was very little gas
breakout within the well, the flow was stable and highly responsive to changes in pump frequency
or surface choke settings (Figure 5) (Brennan et al 2011).
The final flow-rate of 2,900 stb/day was limited by surface offtake which was via tote-tanks. The
well had the potential to deliver at significantly higher rates.

In summary, and referring back to the De-risking the Field what was required section, the 9/03b-6Z
gave a wealth of extra information on the nature of the Bentley fluids and its flow properties (question 1)
and it demonstrated that with the right well design and operation commercial flow rates could be achieved
(question 2). This gave confidence to move ahead with a further appraisal programme comprising the
9/03b-7 and 9/03b-7Z wells, including an extended well test (EWT), which was undertaken in 2012 with
the intention of resolving the remaining pre-development questions.

SPE-172858-MS

Figure 4 9/03b-6Z Geosteering data and petrophysical interpretation

Figure 5Final flow period of 9/03b-6Z

Wells 9/03b-7 and 9/03b-7Z

Background and goals Reservoir simulation work prior to 2012 had indicated that the aquifer underlying Bentley would provide good bottom-drive and an effective vertical sweep, but due to the viscous
nature of the crude the lateral sweep was quite limited. Development plans would therefore require closely
spaced horizontal wellbores - in the order of 100m separation - to provide adequate field recovery. Given
the high cost of drilling in an offshore environment it was decided that a cost effective way of achieving
these closely spaced wellbores would be to utilise multi-lateral drilling technology. Demonstrating that
this technology could be delivered on Bentley prior to development as part of the next appraisal would
clearly be essential.
Some uncertainty still remained around the reservoir performance, in particular how long would it be
before water broke through into the production bore and at what rate would water-cut increase following
that point in time.

SPE-172858-MS

Figure 6 Location and trajectory of 9/03b-7 and 9/03b-7Z wells

Xcite wanted to design an appraisal programme focused on addressing the remaining reservoir
uncertainties and to demonstrate that the key elements of their planned development were valid; ie a
small-development scheme. The appraisal programme also sought to gain valuable data and insights such
that the development could be optimised. An appraisal programme, including an EWT, was therefore
undertaken with the following goals:

Prove sustainable commercial flow-rates;

Prove that water movement through reservoir is predictable and manageable;
Demonstrate drilling and completion techniques for multi-lateral development wells;
Demonstrate fluid processing and flow assurance techniques;
Demonstrate blending, dehydration and export requirements;
Demonstrate a marketable crude oil;
Provide reservoir and fluid data and surface measurements to better plan the development.

Results and execution The well was drilled from a deep-water jack-up rig on which facilities were
installed for degassing of crude and oil and water separation. All liquids were exported via a pipeline to
a dynamically positioned shuttle tanker where the oil was blended with gasoil and further dehydration of
the crude was managed. A 12 motherbore was drilled with a horizontal section above the reservoir and
with a tangential section to contain the planned dual ESP, then completed with a 10 x 9 5/8 liner. An
8 section was drilled into the reservoir from the toe of the motherbore to create the 9/03b-7 well, which
had a total of 2214 ft, 100% net to gross, reservoir that was completed with a premium sandscreen. This
reservoir section was deliberately placed relatively close to the oil-water contact (OWC) at approximately
60 feet above it (Figure 6). At this depth it was anticipated that water would be produced into the
production bore during the approximate 60 day period planned for the EWT. This would provide the
necessary data to better determine long-term oil and water production. A window was then milled in the
9 5/8 liner, a side lateral was created and a multi-lateral junction set, before drilling out a second reservoir
section (9/03b-7Z) of 2042 ft, again with 100% net to gross and completed with a premium sandscreen.
This lateral was geosteered to track the roof of the reservoir in a similar manner to that of the 9/03b-6Z
and to what is planned for future development wells.

SPE-172858-MS

Figure 79/03b-7, 7Z, completion

The well was completed with a smart control system and dual-pump podded ESP so that either or both
laterals could be flowed. In addition, a chemical injection line was installed to below the ESP, a heating
cable was placed above the ESP for flow assurance, and a full set of pressure and temperature
instrumentation, including a fibre optic cable, was positioned downhole (Figure 7).
It was planned that the majority of the production from the EWT would be from the 9/03b-7 well in
order to establish reservoir parameters and aquifer movement, but that some production would also take
place from the 9/03b-7Z to demonstrate the functionality of the multi-lateral system and smart controls.
At the end of the EWT both wellbores would be temporarily abandoned such that they could be used for
early production in the future development. The 9/03b-7Z wellbore, having been drilled close to the
reservoir roof and having had little production during the EWT, was designed to provide significant early
production in the development phase.
The EWT took place between July and September 2012 with approximately 150,000 stb oil produced
during 57 net flow days, at an average flow rate of 2,600 stb/d and with oil rates up to 3,500 stb/d from
a single lateral. Prior to production commencing from 9/03b-7, a prediction was made of timing to water
breakthrough and rate of water-cut build for a P90, P50, P10 range of reservoir, fluid and relative
permeability assumptions (blue, green and brown curves, Figure 8). Initial water broke through close to
the P50 estimate and then water-cut built far slower than had been modelled, such that by the end of the
EWT it had reached 20% and was trending towards the P10 pre-EWT assumption. This was an excellent
result to give confidence in the reservoir performance moving forward into development.
Once sufficient water-cut build-up information had been gathered, the 9/03b-7 well was closed to flow
and the 9/03b-7Z opened using the downhole control valves. There followed a period where flow was
alternated between the 7 and 7Z wellbores, or comingled, thereby demonstrating that the type of control
systems intended to be used in the development is viable.
The well was operated in a similar way to the 9/03b-6Z flow-test with wellhead and pump inlet pressure
maintained above 700 psia. However the additional instrumentation in the 7, 7Z well enabled some
important analysis including:

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SPE-172858-MS

Figure 8 9/03b-7 EWT Key Reservoir Findings

Temperature measurements at the pump inlet and outlet revealed a temperature rise of just over 20
C during typical flow due to heat transfer from the motor and through the pump. This would have
resulted in an approximately five-fold decrease in the viscosity of the fluids above the pump
(Figure 3). Managed correctly, with the right pump design, this temperature increase can be used
to improve lift performance for development wells.
Pressure measurements, taken within the flow-stream 1200 ft MD apart, separated by a smooth
length of uniform diameter pipe, were used to monitor pressure drop due to frictional losses during
the flow-test. Assuming laminar flow (a reasonable assumption for viscous oil in a smooth pipe)
and Equation 1 it was possible to have a continuous estimate of viscosity downhole. This enabled
analysis of the impact of changes to apparent viscosity as proportions of oil, water and gas changed
downhole. In addition changes in apparent viscosity could be monitored as different substances
were introduced through the chemical injection line:
During the EWT demulsifier was added below the pump via the chemical injection line along with
base-oil. The demulsifier helped break emulsions formed in the ESP as water-cut rose. The
base-oil, whilst only injected at up to 2% by volume of total fluids, had a very positive effect on
the flow below the pump. A 2 day trial was undertaken where base-oil was gradually turned-off
prior to being reintroduced. The downhole viscosity measurement described above revealed an
approximate 30% reduction in apparent viscosity on reintroduction of the base-oil (Figure 9) and
there was an accompanying significant boost in flow rate. The viscosity drop and flow-rate
improvement were more than could be accounted for by a dilution effect and it was therefore
postulated that the base-oil was coating the side of the pipe and acting as a lubricant to flow with
a core-annular flow regime being created. This postulated effect has subsequently been replicated
in the laboratory.
o

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11

Figure 9 Impact of downhole diluent on apparent viscosity

Equation 1
Equation for calculating frictional losses in tubing under laminar flow
Prior to the EWT, laboratory studies had demonstrated that the Bentley crude was quite hydrophobic
in nature, with emulsions only formed when severe shear was applied. This was confirmed during the
EWT with several important observations:

Following water break-through emulsions were created in the ESP. However the addition of
demulsifier below the pump made these emulsions unstable. It was observed that brown emulsions
exported from the rig arrived at the shuttle tanker as black oil, the water having largely separated
within the export 1.8km pipeline.
Additional water was added to the export pipeline to ensure relatively low residence time for flow
assurance purposes. This additional water meant that the water-cut in the pipeline was generally
between 35% and 50% (Figure 10). This may have helped the separation of the water from the
emulsion effectively washing out the water. A further significant effect was that whilst the total
water-cut was above approximately 20% the export pressure was only around 4 barg. This pressure
is consistent with what would have been expected had only water been exported. Only when
water-cut dropped below 20% did export pressure rise to be more consistent with that expected
from the combined viscosity of the oil-water mix. It seems clear that a core-annular flow regime
was set up when water-cut was above 20%, with the added water acting as a carrier fluid for the
more viscous oil and emulsion.
Whilst stored on the shuttle tanker the crude continued to dehydrate, reaching better than minimum
export specifications after approximately 8 to 12 days (Figure 11).
In summary the goals of the 9/03b-7 and 7Z EWT were met (Table 3) and the key questions raised
earlier in this paper were all successfully addressed.

Impacts of Appraisal Programme on Development

As a result of the appraisal programme the development of Bentley can be undertaken with much greater
confidence. Furthermore, it has enabled an optimised design with reduced cost as certain contingencies are

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SPE-172858-MS

Figure 10 Effect of water-cut on export pressure

Figure 11Dehydration times for Bentley crude during EWT

not required due to an improved understanding of fluid handling, treatment and export. The EWT was, in
effect, a small scale replica of the planned development, so lessons learnt from that can be carried directly
forward. In summary, the appraisal programme has improved the planned development in the following
ways:

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13

Table 39/03b-7, 7Z Key Achievements

Improved reservoir drilling parameters will help create in-gauge hole and enable geosteering to
track the roof of the reservoir; this in turn will improve recovery and productivity per wellbore.
Optimised well completion design for improved flow performance; in particular, the design and
operation of the well will maintain pressure sufficient to keep most gas within the fluid, will
benefit from heat imparted to the fluids as they pass through the pump, and will minimise friction
losses by maximising pipe diameter and minimising pipe length for the sections that hold the most
viscous fluids.
Downhole injection strategy for improved flow performance: addition of base-oil or other
lubricant to the flowstream below the pump can significantly reduce frictional pressure losses
thereby resulting in a significant boost to flow-rate.
Simplified dehydration process: based on the results of the EWT, Bentley crude dehydration can
take place on a floating storage and offloading unit (FSO) thereby reducing the required size of the
platform.
Optimised separation process: the equipment can be confidently sized, thus reducing the requirement for excess capacity and as a result reducing the required size of the platform.
Optimised flow assurance: water can be used as a carrier fluid and this also reduces restart issues
following shut-down. In addition, Bentley crude contains no wax and, whilst it becomes more
viscous when degassed and cooled, it remains a liquid. Analysis from the EWT and subsequent
laboratory work has shown that restart pressures are manageable within the planned development
design.

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SPE-172858-MS

Figure 12Bentley development plan schematic

The lessons learned from the EWT export pipeline from the rig to the shuttle tanker has enabled
subsea completions to be considered.
The EWT demonstrated that traditional coolers do not work well with Bentley crude and that an
improved methodology of cooling produced fluids is to mix the hot oil stream with a cool water
stream. This simplifies the plan.
The reservoir and fluid data gathered during the appraisal programme has enabled early planning
for an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project, including a pilot at an early stage of the development.

The Development Plan

Bentley field is planned with a phased development. The first phase development (FPD), focussed on the
northern area of the field, will be followed by a second phase (SPD) approximately five years later, which
will provide additional capacity for the FPD wells, as well as accessing the southern area of the field
(Figure 12).
The FPD comprises a self-elevating platform to accommodate approximately twenty wells which will
be drilled with a deep-water jack-up. Production wells will be drilled initially as dual-laterals, but are
designed to allow additional laterals to be added at a later date. Production will be via a downhole ESP
with control on individual laterals enabling optimisation of oil-cut. Given the rates achieved in previous
flow tests from single laterals and the further optimisation in well design that has been captured since the
EWT, it is predicted that the planned multi-lateral development wells will achieve dry oil rates in the
region of 10,000 stb/d. Produced fluids will be degassed, and bulk dewatered, on the platform prior to
transfer to a bridge-linked FSU, where further water separation and dehydration will take place. Bentley
fluids will be blended with a diluent on arrival on the FSO in order to assist the dehydration process and
to meet optimum marketing criteria. The blended crude will be offloaded to shuttle tankers for shipment
to refineries. All produced water will be re-injected into the Bentley aquifer towards the flanks of the field.
The SPD will also comprise a wellhead platform and degassing facility with produced fluids being
transferred via subsea pipeline to the FSO via the FPD platform. It is also likely at this time that outlying
areas such as Bentley West will be completed with subsea wells and tied back to the FPD platform.

SPE-172858-MS

15

It is estimated that this development can extract 257 MMstb of 2P Reserves during a notional 35 year
facilities life. It is also estimated that a further 48 MMstb 2C Contingent Resources can be commercially
extracted beyond this notional period. It is intended to look at acceleration programmes to access this
additional oil earlier and thus book as 2P reserves. This could include, but not be limited to, an EOR
project.
Current EOR trials on polymers are encouraging (Zhitao et al 2014) and if further work continues to
be positive then a pilot is likely during the FPD.

Conclusions
The Bentley fields contain approximately 900 MMstb in-place, of which it is estimated that 257 MMstb
2P Reserves can be extracted over a 35 year notional facilities life. It is also estimated that a further 48
MMstb 2C Contingent Resources can be commercially extracted beyond this period, but which will be
brought forward in time through optimisation and EOR techniques.
An extensive appraisal programme between 2008 and 2012 culminating in an EWT has focussed on
addressing the key uncertainties that have, to date, prevented development of the field. The results of this
extensive appraisal programme give a high degree of confidence in the development of the Bentley field
and enables significant optimisation and simplification of the development design from sandface to
export.

References
Beard D. C. and P. K. Weyl. 1973. Influence of Texture on Porosity and Permeability of Unconsolidated Sand. Published in The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bultetin V, 57, No.
2 (February 1973), P. 349 369.
Brennan B., Lucas-Clements C., and Kew S., Shumakov Y., Camilleri L., Akuanyionwu O., Tunoglu
A. 2011. Methodologies, Solutions, and Lessons Learned from Heavy Oil Well Testing with an
ESP, Offshore UK in the Bentley Field, Block 9/3b. Paper SPE-148833 presented at the Canadian
Unconventional Resources Conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canafa, 15-17 November 2011
Jayasekera A. and Goodyear S. 1999. The Development of Heavy Oil Fields in the U.K. Continental
Shelf: Past, Present and Future. Paper SPE 54623 presented at the Western Regional Meeting,
Anchorage, Alaska, 26 28 May.
Morton K., Osman M., Kew S., et alet al. 2005. Heavy-Oil Uncertainties Facing Operators in the North
Sea. Paper SPE 97898 presented at the International Thermal Operations and Heavy Oil Symposium, Alberta, Canada, 13 November.
Zhitao L., Delshad M., Lotfollahi M., Koh H., Luo H., Chang H.L., Zhang J., Dempsey P.,
Lucas-Clements C., Brennan B. 2014. Polymer Flooding of a Heavy Oil Reservoir with an Active
Aquifer. Paper SPE-169149