Department of Mechanical Engineering Downhole Separation Research

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN DOWNHOLE TWO TWO-PHASE SEPARATION

GREEN CYCLONIC OIL-WATER WATER SEPARATION WITH HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
Water production in mature field is unavoidable as production rate increased, oil water contact (OWC) increases until water breakthrough. With increasing produced waste water water, , there is an urgent need to control the water production downhole so as to reduce the water handling cost at the surface. The existing sting methods to deal with high water content in oil are conventionally i) zonal isolation and recompletion where the perforation is completed away from the OWC; ii) injection of sealant to create water barrier in identified fractured path; iii) total penetration pene to avoid formation of water coning; and finally iv) dual completion method where the radial pressure drop around the well is equilibrated to prevent the water level from rising in the vicinity of the bottom hole. The current project is a deviation on from the conventional means where produced water is separated directly from oil downhole using cyclone to create concentrated spiraling vortex for the oil and the centrifuged waste water is disposed into the formation in creative ways without causing fo formation damage.

Project Description
The objective of this project is to experimentally investigate a new technique for downhole water-oil water separation by cyclonic means. . The research will focus mainly in the upper zone with the view that waste water disposal happen in the lower non-producing formation. Research The research group is This project is funded by PETRONAS Research Fund via the Yayasan UTP Fundamental Research. collaborating with PETRONAS Carigali specialist specialists to tap their technical expertise and operational know-how and has a disposable budget of over 1 million MYR to ensure delivery delivery. The project seeks 6 potential MSc and 2 PhD candidates who are comfortable with design, fabrication and testing of facilities and equipment. Applicant must possess a minimum relevant degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering from reputable university. Applicant with CGPA below 3.2 shall not apply. Successful candidate andidate with demonstrated caliber and merit has the opportunity to be appointed as Research Officer.

How to apply
Application pplication forms and guideline guidelines s can be obtained from the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS website: www.utp.edu.my www.utp.edu.my. . Further information about the project can be obtained from the lead investigator, AP Dr. Hussain al-Kayiem (Hussain_Kayiem@petronas.com.my Hussain_Kayiem@petronas.com.my) Tel: 605-3687008 or Dr. William Pao (William.paokings@petronas.com.my) Tel: 605-368 368-7012. This project is expected to start as soon as possible. This project funding is eligible to all nationals based on their merit merit.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 31750 Tronoh, Perak www.utp.edu.my