Executive Summary

This report has the objective of promoting and focusing research and technology development (RTD) activities in petroleum exploration and production (E&P). Based on a synthesis of a mass of intelligence on industry's RTD requirements, it sets out to inform the research community and those in government bodies responsible for RTD investments. It will also inform those in the technology delivery sector of the industry working with E&P companies and it will provide individual E&P companies with a wider industry view.

Its technical scope includes exploration, reservoir, downhole and sub-sea technology. It also examines the interaction of produced fluids/solids with the marine environment.

The report places RTD requirements against a background of business "drivers" and asset challenges. The assets addressed are:

• exploration acreage in both mature and frontier areas;
• discoveries under appraisal;
• small, economically marginal field developments;
• deepwater field developments;
• high pressure/high temperature field developments;
• high density/high viscosity oil developments;
• mature producing fields.

The findings are relevant to many petroleum provinces world-wide, although the primary focus is the North West European Continental Shelf.

Within the RTD requirements identified the following areas are considered:

• sedimentary basin studies;
• sub-surface imaging technology;
• petrophysics;
• reservoir management;
• well productivity;
• improved recovery;
• reservoir description;
• processes of fluid flow in porous media;
• drilling;
• wellbore integrity;
• downhole technology;
• downhole materials technology for high pressure/high temperature service;
• reservoir stimulation;
• production chemistry;
• sub-sea technology design and performance;
• fluids management and transportation;
• produced solids handling;
• environmental impact assessment.

The report compares the RTD priorities listed under these headings with the topics prioritised in both the European Commission's Fourth Framework Programme and in the UK Government's Technology Foresight Programme.

Measures to improve access to and delivery of RTD are discussed.

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Last Update28/5/96