Yadavaran Output at 115,000 b/d
Yadavaran oil field, jointly owned by Iran and Iraq, is located in West Karoun area. It lies 70 kilometers southwest of Ahvaz and north of Khorramshahr. The contract for its development was signed with China's Sinopec under a buyback deal. Its first development phase started in 2008.
Development of Yadavaran oil field was initially envisaged in three phases. The first phase has already become operational for a production ceiling of 85,000 b/d of crude oil. The first phase involves the drilling of 49 new production wells, 3 appraisal wells and 3 wastewater disposal wells. Recovery from this field has reached 115,000 b/d, up 30,000 year-on-year. The second development phase requires a production ceiling of 180,000 b/d of crude oil and the third phase calls for 300,000 b/d.
In the second phase development of the field, Yadavaran would be producing 180,000 b/d, which is forecast to be realized in four years. The master development plan (MDP) of this phase has been finalized and the project is set to be awarded to Sinopec.
According to initial estimates, Yadavaran was said to be holding around 12 billion barrels of oil in place. Now, this figure is estimated at 31 billion barrels. Therefore, it is likely that fourth and fifth development phases would be also envisaged for this field.
The oil in Fahlyan layer of Yadavaran is of light category with an API gravity of around 40. But the layer of Sarvak contains heavy crude with an API of 24.
Domestic manufacturing companies' share of Yadavaran development is more than 50%.
Under the second phase, 105 wells need to be drilled. Meantime, pipeline and two trains would be added to the treatment facility so that the 180,000 b/d target would be achieved.
According to plans, the third phase would require achieving the output ceiling of 300,000 b/d of oil.
North Yaran Output at 30,000 b/d
North Yaran is the only oil field whose development contract has been signed under a buy-back deal with an Iranian contractor (Persian Oil & Gas Industry Development Co. (POGIDC)). Officials at the Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) have offered an acceptable assessment of POGIDC's performance in this field. Recovery of 30,000 b/d of oil from North Yaran oil field recently started in the presence of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
North Yaran is located in the southwestern oil-rich province of Khuzestan. It is about 130 kilometers west of the provincial capital of Ahvaz and near Iran-Iraq border.
North Yaran lies west of North Azadegan and north of South Yaran fields with an API gravity estimated at 16 to 18.
Iranian companies and manufacturers hold a 70% share in this project and the focus has been on the utilization of domestically manufactured commodities and equipment. The items whose manufacturing and procurement in Iran were impossible have been purchased mainly from European countries. Drilling operations for the development of North Yaran field have been conducted by Iranian contractors.
Development of North Yaran has been envisaged in more than one phase, but according to new studies there is a plan for boosting crude oil production by 10,000 b/d in the southern section of this field. It is currently in the primary stage of studies and its contract is expected to be signed by March 2017.
Early production from this field started in February 2013 with a capacity of 5,000 b/d. Up to September, more than 1 million barrels of oil had been produced from this field.
North Yaran holds 998 million barrels of oil in place, 52.48 million barrels of which is recoverable.
Paying attention to health, safety, environment (HSE) issues has been a top priority in the development of North Yaran field. Construction of exclusive 18-kilometer-long roads leading to wells, building 55 two-meter watercourses to keep water running and protect aquatics living in Hoor al-Azim Lagoon, monitored by the Department of the Environment, are among the most important measures undertaken by PEDEC.
An HSE advisor has been hired for this field. All sections of Yaran field are covered with plants. As soon as precipitation starts, the lagoon will be revived and water entry into this field will not be blocked. The advisor monitors environmental affairs with the help of five patrolling and inspection groups.
The deepest well in this field is Well No. 7, which is a horizontal when with a depth of 1,600 meters. Drilling 160 meters a day has been a record set throughout the development of this field.