“We have selected 10 fields in western Ukraine that meet the criteria for using CO2 injection technology. We are currently preparing a pilot project,” said the top manager of the state-owned company. – “This technology combines a method of enhanced oil recovery and a green transition technology in terms of CO2 utilization and storage, or CCUS — Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage. PJSC “Ukrnafta” has a significant potential for injecting CO2 into depleted oil reservoirs, an extensive infrastructure and available commercial volumes of CO2. This is especially important in the context of Ukraine's future accession to the EU”.
A new reservoir pressure maintenance system (RPMS) for a field in western Ukraine is currently being designed using hydrodynamic methods. Production is expected to increase by up to 20%. The existing RPM systems are being audited and optimized.
The company launched a pilot project to introduce low deviation technology (creation of hydro screens) — the company received a 17% increase in oil production from the observation wells, so it will scale this technology to other facilities.
Projects to introduce thermal methods, such as hot water injection and in-situ combustion, are also being considered.
At the end of 2023, PJSC “Ukrnafta” specialists launched a large-scale project to implement hydraulic fracturing (including acid fracturing).
Over 5 months of 2024, 14 operations resulted in additional cumulative production of over 9 thousand tonnes of oil. One of the wells increased its daily flow rate 25 times (from 4 to 100 tonnes per day in oil equivalent). At another well, after the completion of drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations, the flow rate more than twice the forecast: 54 tonnes of oil per day instead of 22.6.
A total of 50 such operations are planned for 2024.
The implementation of these methods and other measures to increase production has a modern scientific basis, which was presented at the conference by specialists from the Research and Design Institute of PJSC “Ukrnafta”. In particular, Oksana Vanchak, Geology Manager of the Geology and Field Development Department, explained how the company mitigates risks in geological exploration and field development using 3D modeling. Mykola Pilka, Leading Reservoir Engineer, showed how hydrodynamic modeling helps evaluate investment projects in the company.